The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-04-14

an.
II s'pose l been doin' something
hellish," she ventured presently In a
low tone. Have 1, Edie?"
"Nope, not this time, Tony" thrust
iE Devon. But we've got to tell you
something. You're gettin' to be a 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. "Yap it out
quick, sweet, and I'll jump to do it!''
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 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 q
! strong OBTAINING hand On the girls
! arm.
Its this" he got out between his
teeth. "You got to get married. You
been livin' 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 kid yet, and I'm goin' to
stay right here with my mother. See?
don't have to-do l, mummy darlin'r'
"YCur 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 spasmodicaly
and toyed with the fabric of her skirt
A slender brown hand went up and
closed over her twitching fingers.
II 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
wash't going to be 50 Easy after all
I "Kid," he said huskily, IF you don't
| 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 l
tell YOU"
The girl eyed him curiously, making
sidewise gesture with her head.
"Wbo's the duffer you've chose out
for meT she asked at length. "You
might as we'll tell me-"
! MY friend, Reggie" said Devon,
bending over and staring at her.
Tonnibel's mouth widened until two
rows of teeth cleaned through the red
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 and
for Tonnibel
81 amt fought it all out with your
daddy, kid" she snifled weakly. "You
get to the cabin and mend them old
Clothes"
/ Uriah Devon laid his pipe beside
him and uttered an oath.
"You'n stay. right here, brat" he
gritted, land pay heed to me-"
"Uriah," screamed the woman, III
you 90 on with this, I'll tell 'er all !
know. I swear / will. Tony, honey,
Tony, baby, II amt"
With roar the man sprang forward
and in his effort to reach his wife
knocked the girl fiat on the deck.
When Tonnibel rolled over and sat up,
her mother was stretched along the
boat rail, and Devon was standing
over her. She lay so dreadfully still
and limp that the girl scrambled to
her feet.
/. It wasn't the same Tony who had
come fearfully to them but a. short
period before with the little pig in her
arms; nor the same girl who had
swung in the treetops making play
fellows Of the squirrels and answering
the shrill calls Of the forest birds. She
seemed suddenly to have grown taller.
and as she flung herself on Devon, the
very strength Of her little body sent
him sprawling against the side Of the
cabin. Nov you killed her, d-n
you," she screamed. "If you kick 'er
-Tll-I'll-" She dropped at the side
of her mother, her threat broken in
two by the awful pallor on the wom-
ans face. "Oh, God, mummy darlin',
mummy darlin'," she ended in bit
ter cry.
Growing in rage, Devon turned on
her.
"Mebbe I have killed 'er," said he.
IF so, I'll make a good job Of it and
finish you too."
The girl rose before him, her eyes
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