New Britain herald., 1921-08-22


 The three Pettys were not happy somehow Cap'n Jonah's defiance and Pearls joyful determination to put herself under the old mariners pro- | tecuon, quite took the taste out of any pleasure Sarah Petty might have felt In seeing the two ''paupers' start out into the storm.
 IL was the son who first found voice and energy to put his thoughts into words.
 1 There!' he croaked Now you've i done it, an I hope you're satisfied What's the matter with you. Tom Petty?'' demanded his mother. 1 " ou've driv' Pearly away Wal what dye want her here for?' queried Sarah. She ain't wuth | her salt no more.''
 She's my girl!" cried Tom hotly
 'Or she would ha' been If it wasn't for that consarned Helmford." | Why, you talk foolish," declared Sarah.
 'Is that so?" snarled the Tout. Well I can tell you right now: If tPearly's goin' to be turned out O. house an home, som I. I'll go to her.
 The woman's very soul was bound up in Tom. He could get his way with her by such threats at any time. And she was broken in spirit now. 1 "You-you can't get her to come Ihack,' she stammered l T can try" declared Tom. And I'm igoin' to. But you've got to promise to be good to her. If I marry Pearl [ ain't goin' to let her be your slave no more.
 An there's another thing" went on Tom, using the gaff without mercy How about if Uncle Jonah turns on you with that old note of gran'pop's? He ain't forgot it. You can see that
 by what he just said to you. He was | throwin' it up to you. An now it's
 proved he ain't got fortune, he'll try seeing what he can get out O you"
 You hesh up," commanded Sarah Petty. "Go after that gal. You bring Pearl back here. If you want to got no objections. She's a fav'rite of Uncle Jonah Hand. And he won't do |nothin' that'll hurt her or her'n. Dye see? If Pearl an you marry, he wont press no old note against this estate that's a-comin' to you some day. That is sure."
 i "1 dunno can I git her back" grumbled Tom, buttoning his coat again. "But I'll find out where she's goin' and what she's goin' to do. 1 You can look in at Abe Sits store," said his mother sharply "If that old tramp's such good friends | with Silt that's where he an Pearls gone"
 Tom thought this very likely and he made the store his destination. He did not enter Cap'n Abes store, but went around the house to the kitchen
 It was Pearl who came to the door.
 rom Petty!'
 Hi, Pearly!" the youth greeted her, calling up grin. 'Marm wants you should come home." | I'm never going back to your house again, Tom Petty, only to get
 my things"
 Now, don't say that, Pearly," the lyoung fellow went on, very mildly for him. You don't want to be mean. Marm never said for you to go" 'I came away with Cap'n Jonah on my own hook" she agreed. And I'm
 not going back"
 LAW, yes you will'' Tom repeated. You know how much I like you, Pearly. I couldn't get along without , you-no two ways about it! You got
 to stop this foolishness and come , home.''
 "I won't!'
 He thought she was about to close 1 the door, His right hand shot out and caught the girls slim wrist. He jerked her out upon the step.
 You come home along O me and l stop your foolishness, he growled j"Do you hear me, Pearly?"
 She struggled to escape. With hel free hand she struck him across his
 unframed and ugly face. She cried out . as he forced her down the steps into 5 the beatin,; storm.
 Around the corner of the kitchen f charged Joe Helmford. Tom turned |, ! on him, snarling. He was so enragcG that he forgot for the moment to be afraid Helmford stripped off his be- : clouded spectacles and handed then Ito Pearl He unbelted and dropped - ] his mackinaw at his feet. , Look out for yourself, Tom Petty' ihe said threateninGly. 1 am goins l Ito give you what you have been suf = fering for ever since you got too bis . flor your mother to spank v} They were not uncven1y matched a. l to height and weight. Toms muscle: e lwere fully as we'll developed. and he }, Twas as supple as his anta gonist. IT 3 rough and tumble fight he migh e ieven have been Helmfords superior I But the latter had been the cham c pion boxer of his college and woult T not allow the lout to get wrestler e Ihold upon him. As Tom charged n H Jolmford stepped nimbIy aside ant n Idrove his fist into Toms face. Tor F l rushed fer Helmford a second time
 His anta gonist met this ons.augh ] fairly. His hard and capable fist
 ;~1, 1,; , Shoulders behind them, while Ton
 lpawed the air blindly with cutchin, l. lhands.
 u Petty staggered; he slipped; he fel ? to his knees; he got up again. Whil II all the time the blows rained upol F. ltim he was blinded. He began tt
 Ihlant like a calf in the grin of thi