The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24
CHAPTER III
Slug Truman, Monday Washing and
Cardinal Wolsey Enter the Nara
tive and Start their Roles as Minor
Heroes.

Down Cobb Hill came the rattle of
buggy tires in the sandy road. A trap
drawn by little black mare and driv-
en- by stocky, well-dressed young
man, reached the naples alongside
the Wheeler house. The stocky young
man stopped the mare and arose in
the vehicle. A hideous bulldog in the
seat with him rose likewise.
Two times more those cries SCUM
ded on the summer night. The young
man put a foot on the carriage wheel
and leaped over. The dog tried the
same thing and had to be extricated.
The young man, followed by the dog
approached the house.
"Hey, youw he called, "is anything
especially the matter?"
For answer he heard a thump, a
crash, curse. The dim light that had
been burning in that caves room was
suddenly extinguished. There was an
other thump, another crash-as Of
furniture falling. He heard a long
cry. Someone came swiftly through
the lower rooms. Then the light
screen door on the side porch flew
open; there came a flash Of white in
the moonlight and across the lawn
toward him ran a girl.
whats it all about?" the young
man demanded.
For he had suddenly discovered him
self with protecting arm about this
rf1.l 4 Id II
were enveloped in heavy quilt and
whose hair fell wildly about her face.
"Where can I go? what can I
do?" she sobbed
At,the moment the heavy footballs
of Silent Wheeler sounded through
the lower rooms and a bruised and
disheveled man appeared on the rear
porch. He started across.
"Wait moment! Stop!. ordered
the young stranger. whats the
meaning of all this, anyhow? Can't
ask a civil question and get civil
answer"
"He struck me-with his belt-he
struck mew sobbed the girl.
"What for?"
"He told me to leave and go away.
/ didn't think he meant tonight.
was here when he came from McDer-
motifs. And he struck me-with his
beltp
The heavy quilt slipped from her
grasp. The moonlight disclosed the
white flesh of her arms and shout
dcrs. For moment the young man
gaped blankly.
"Cripes!" he calculated. "Cripesw
Then he turned on the stepfather.
"I'm Slug Truman, | am! They call
me that in Paris because ! got hum
drcd and seventy pound punch
have. And if hit you with the
whole hundred and seventy, l might
bust you right open. What's COM
ing off here, anyhow? What's the
row."
strangers amt wanted in this y
growled Silent Wheeler angrily.
maybe they amt. Then I'll be
the little old unwelcome guest. What's
the matter with you, 81 Wheeler?
You talk as if you'd gone plumb loon
cyl"
Strangers amt wanted in this!
declared Wheeler again.
"But they amt goin' to stand aside
and sec no womenfolks beat up''
"You keep out!" warned the step
s father.
The girl uttered little cry. She
fancied she could sec his strenge eyes
green glowing and shoulder
ing in the moonlight.
"Keeep out nothin'! You keep off
Keep off-or seem that just this
minute ] got this lady to sort O. keep
standin' up, might call in this dog
TO help me, don't you know
.'To he'll with your dogl"
"Don't say that He amt used
to boin' spoke unkindly of"
But the man started forward. lie
made lurch at the girl. The dog
growled. The young stranger tried
/. TO get himself between man and girl
81 Wheeler's onslaught made him stun.
8 BE,