The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1920-12-08

Then keep a Suck1n'," groWled De-
Won. For Gods sake, if the brat amt
lugged that pig clean up that pine
tree!"
Above them a giant pine tree lifted
its head far above its fellows. Among
its branches the man and woman could
plainly see the upper half of a girls
figure settled in the crotch of an out
spreading limb, and clasped in two
slender arms was the small guinea
pig. She bObbed her head gravely,
held up the animal and shook it at
them.
Tony, herself, little knew why in
times of strife she sought refuge
among these forest giants and came
always to happiness. They were ami
mated beings in her mean little world
and because she had ShOwered idOla-
trOus love on them they, from their
primeval grandeur, sent an answering
spark of life to her starved little soul.
The sight of Tony further enraged
Uriah. He waved her in.
"NOw tell her outright, and get it
over, Ede," he said, sitting down again.
Reaching the canal boat, Tony stood
looking at her parents.
"Set down." growled Devon.
Shifting the pig little, she dropped
down on the deck. She always dread
ed these talks with her father and
mother. 1t usually meant they must
move on, or perhaps that a thrash
ing was coming her way. From under
her long lashes she glimpsed first De-
Won with his frowning brow, then at
length let her gaze settle on the wom-
an.
81 s'poSe | been doin' something
hellish," she ventured presently in
low tone. Have /, Edie?"
Nope, not this time, Tony" thrust
in Devon. But we've got to tell you
something. You're gettin' to be wOm-
an, Tonnibel, and you got to do some
thing for your mother and me-"
I'm always wantin' to do something
nice for you, Edie, darling" she said,
looking at her mother. zap it out
quick, sweet, and I'll jump to do It'll"
The woman began to cry softly.
go on, Edie,," said Uriah. 'Why
in HI are you blubberin' over a
thing you can't help?"
"But l can help it," cried Edith.
And what's more l will. Run away,
baby, and I'll have it out with your
pop while you're gone"
Devon reached forward and laid a
strong OBTAINING hand on the girls
arm.
Its this" he got out between his
teeth. "YOu got to get married. You
been Twin on me long enough"
| The girl stared at him blankly.
Get married." she repeated DULY.
Who'd marry a brat like me? I'm
nOthin' but a kid yet, and I'm gOin' to
stay right here with my mother. Sect
don't have to-dO l, mummy darlin'Y'
Your mas word amt law On this
boat" answered Uriah in an ugly
tone. Mine is, though. Fire ahead,
Edie, and tell the kid my WILL"
Mrs. Devon coughed spasmOdically
and tOyed with the fabric of her skirt.
A slender brown hand went up and
closed over her twitching fingers.
81 wouldn't marry any of the NUTS
you know, daddy" the girl burst out
in desperation. $50 get that notion
clean out of your mind"
Her face settled Sullenly into little
lines that purSed up the lovely young
mouth. and Uriah Devon moved his
feet nervOusly. Perhaps his task
wasn't going to be so easy after all.
Kid" he said huskily, eff you dom
do what you're told, I'll make you
You amt too old to CAD yet. And
you'll be misSin' one of the best lick
ms you ever got if you mind what
tell you"
The girl eyed him curiOusly, making
a sidewise gesture with her head.
who's the duffer you've chose on
for me?" she asked at length. "Yol
might as well tell me-"
my, friend, Reggie" said Devon
bending over and staring at her.
TOnnibeTs mouth widened until twt
rows of teeth cleaned through the rec
of her lips. She made a wry face
"Nothin' like that for mech, Edie?
Edith Devon was coming to a resolu
ton that meant trouble for herself AM
! for TOnnibel.
81 amt fought it all out with you
daddy, kid" she SMILED weakly. ''Yo1
get to the cabin and mend them oil
clothes"
Uriah Devon laid his pipe besid
him and uttered an oath.
you'll stay right here, brat" h
gritted, land pay heed to me-"
"Uriah," screamed the woman, Il
you 90 on with this, I'll tell 'er all
know. / swear / will. Tony. hone!
= Tony, baby, II amt"
With a roar the man sprang forwar
and in his effort to reach his wifi
knocked the girl fiat on the decl
When TOnnibel rolled over and sat VI
her mother was stretched along tn
boat rail. and Devon was standin
: over her. She lay so dreadfully sti
and limp that the girl scrambled
! her feet.
5 It wasn't the same Tony who ha
f come fearfully to them but a shO
r period before with the little pig in M
: | I,o ri ri VIII hl