The Washington herald., 1920-08-06
Bu O. HENRY

or Ed's?" asked Ransie with fine
unConCern.
Il was 1owin' to get along up
thar afore night. l amt sayin'
as they'll poster theyselves any 10
make me welcome, but l hain't
nowhar else fur to go. It's right
smart ways. and l reckon l better
be goin.' I'll be a-sayin' good
bye, Ranse-that is. if you keer
fur to say So
Il don't know as anybody's
hound dog" said Ransie. in
martyrs voice, fur to not want
to say good bye-'less you air so
anxious to git away that you
don't want me TO say it"
ArieIa was silent. She folded
the fve-dollar bill and her de-
cree carefully and placed them in
the bosom of her dress. Benaja
Widdup watched the money dis
appear with mournful eyes be-
hind his spectacles.
And then with his next words
he achieved rank Cas his thoughts
RAM with either the great crowd
of the worlds sympathizers or
the little crowd Of its great fnan-
Ciers
BE kind o. lonesome in the olo
cabin tonight. Ranse." he said
Ransie Bilbro stared out at the
Cumberlands. clear blue now in
the sunlight. He did not look at
Ariela.
Il low it might be lonesome,
he said. but when folks gifts mad
and wants a divo'ce you can't
make folks STAY
There's others wanted a di-
vo'ce." said Ariela, speaking to
the wooden stool. Besides, no.
body don't want nobody to stay"
Nobody never said they didn't"
Nobody never said they did. !
reckon ] better start on now to
brother Eds"
Nobody can't wind that old
clock"
Want me to GO back along ith
you in the cart and wind it for
you. Ranse?"
The mountaineer's couutenance
was proof against emotion. But
he reached out big hand and
enclosed Ariela's thin brown one.
Her soul peeped out once through
her impassive face. hallOwing IT.
Them hounds shan't poster you
no more" said Ranse. I reckon
been mean and low down. You
wind that clock. Ariela.''
My heart hits in that cabin,
Ranse." she whispered, along 18th
you. l amt a-Eoin' to git mad no
more. Let's be startin'. Ranse.
SOS we kin git homo by sundown."
Justice Of the Peace BenaJa
widdup interposed as they start
ed for the door, forgetting his
presence.
I'm the name of the State OF
Tennessee" he said. 81 forbid you
all to be a-defyin' of its laws and
statutes. This cot is mo- than
willin' and full Of joy to see the
clouds of discord and misunder-
standin' rollin' away from TWO
lovin' hearts. but it air the duty
of the cot TO p'eserve the morals
and integrity of the State. The
cot reminds you that you air nc
longer man and wife, but air di-
vo'ced by regular decree. and a.
such air not entitled to the bene.
fits and purtenances OF the mat
termonal estate"
Ariela caught Ransie's arm. Did
lose him now when they had Just
learned the lesson Of life?"
But the cot air prepared
went on the Justice, fur to re
move the disabilities set up b.
the decree of divo'ce. The cot ali
on hand to perform the solemn
ceremony of marri'ge, thus fXin
things up and enablin' the partie
in the case to resume the honor
BILE and elevatin' state of matter
mony which they desires. The fer
fur performin' said ceremony will
be. in this case, to wit, five dol
lars"
Ariela caught the gleam o
promise in his words. Swiftl
her hand went to her bosom
Freely as an alighting dove tn
bill futtered to the justices tabl,
stood hand in hand with Ransi
and listened to the reunitin
words.
Ransie helped her into the car
and climbed in beside her. Tn
little red bull turned once NOR,
and they iset out, hand-clsspeC
for the mountains
Justice of the Peace Benaj
widdup sat in his door and too
off his shoes Once again he fin
gered the bill tucked down in hi
vest pocket. Once again h
smoked his eIder-stem pipe. Ono
again the speckled hen swaCgere
down the main street Of the "se'
tlement," cackling foolishly.