The Dermott news., 1919-02-20
CHAPTER CONTINUED.

me to tell him what was the mat
ter
"That Wills boy stole my melon"
1 said. and the words came slow with
sobs.
.oh, ne, he didn't" said Uncle Pea
body.
Eyes he did. I saw a piece o the
rim"
well by" said Uncle Peabody.
stopping. as usual. at the edge of the
preclpice.
.He's snake" l added.
And you fit and he scratched you
up that Way?'
Il scratched him. too"
Don't You say n word about It To
Aunt Deel. Don't ever speak o that
miserable melon agin to anybody.
I'll be there In minute and fix ye
up"
He went by the road with the ten
and | run around TO the lane and up
TO the stable Uncle Peabody met
me there In moment and brought n
pam "a htlA'A anu N'i'A''N ny 90,
SO that felt and looked more respect
able
The worst was over for that day.
but the Bayues-Wills fcud had begun.
1t led 10 many Il fight in the school
yard aud on the way home. We We're
40 evenly matched that our quarrel
went on for n long time and gathered
Intensity rs ii continued.
One June day Uncle Peabody and
/. from down in the fields saw n
fine carriage drive In at our gate. He
stopped and looked intcntly.
Jerusalem four-corners :" he ex-
claimed Its Mr.. and Mrs. Horace
Dunkelberg."
My heart beat fast at thought OF
the legendary Dunkelbergs. Uncle
looked me over from top TO toe.
Heavens ~ he exclaimed Go down
to the brook and wash the mud or
yer feet an legs"
ran for the brook and before l
had returned to my uncle l heard the
horn blow.
The Dunkelbergs the Dunkel-
bergs Come quick !" It seemed to
say
Mr.. Dunkelherg was big. broad
shouldered, solemn-looking man. Some
how his face reminded me OF n lions
which | had seen in one of my pic
ture hooks. He had ii thick. long. out
standing mustache and side whiSkers,
and deep~Set eyes and heavy eyebrows.
He stood for half a moment looking
down n ne from n great height with
his right hand In his pocket. l heard
little jingle Of coins down where
his hand was. Ii excited my curios-
ity lie took step toward me and
l retreated. l feared. little. this
big, lIou-like man. My fears left me
suddenly when he spoke In small
squeaky voice that reminded me Of
the Cairpiug of bird.
Little hey, come here and viii
make you present" said he.
1t reminded me Of my dlSappoint-
ment when uncle tried To shoot his
gun ut a squirrel and only the cap
cracked.
went To him and he laid silver
piece in the palm of my hand. Aunt
Deel began To hurry about getting din
ner ready while Uncle Peabody and
/ sat down on the porch with our
guests. among whom was pretty
blue-eyed girl of about my own age
with long, golden-brown hair that
hung in curls.
''Sally. this is Barton Baynes-can't
you shake hands with him?" said Mrs.
Dunkelberg.
With n smile the girl came and Of
fered me her hand and made funny
bow and said that she was glad to
see me. took her hand awkwardly
and made no reply. l had never seen
many girls and had no very high opln-
ION OF them.
AS we sat there l heard the men
talking about the great Silas Wright,
who had just returned 10 his home
In Canton. He had not entered my
consciousness until then.
While | sat listening felt twcak
OF my hatr, and looking around | saw
the Dnnkelberg girl standing behind
me with a saucy smile on her face.
Won't you come and play with
mefn she asked.
| took her out in the garden 10
show he- where my watermelon had
lain. At the moment l couldn't think
OF anything else To show her. As we
walked along l observed that her feet
were In dainty shiny button-shoes.
Suddenly | began to be ashamed OF
my feet that were Drowned by the
sunlight and scratched by the brlers.
The absent watermelon didn't seem to
interest her.
Let's play house In the grove" said