Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-05-05
CHAPTER xH
The Last card.

One day some weeks later, Reg1-
Maid Brown walked rapidly along the
boulevard past the row of squatter
shacks. He had received word that
Uriah Devon, released from prison,
would anchor the Dirty Mary near
the Hoghole in her accustomed place.
Devon was on deck when Brown
ran up the gangplank.
$50 you came, old top" was Uriah's
greeting. Its good you did; l want
to know what's doin'."
A woman came to the door Of the
cabin and peered out. When she saw
the newcomer, she scowled and went
back.
II thought you said she was dead"
commented Reggie, with wag of his
head toward the spot where the wom-
an had stood.
"Well, she amt! Worse luck I"
growled Uriah. II told that to the
kid to make her feel, bad. EIDE was
willing to be dead for a while, any
how. What's the news of Tony2"
"Oh, she's & lady now" answered
Reggie, sarcastically. "The Pendle-
Ravens have sent her to school ever
since you went away. My mother tells
me Paul Pendlehaven's going to adopt
her. And wha: do you think elseT
he demanded.
II dunno" grunted the other. "Good
God! Don't sit there tearin' me to
pieces with curiosity. Fire ahead
and tell me-"
"She's copied Phil MacCauley," re-
turned Reginald; "Ithaca's' snob Of
Salvation Army captain, the fellow
who threw me in the lake that day,
and he's as rich as the Pendlehavens
put together"
"Well, he won't get 'er," asserted
Uriah, sharply. "Tve told you the
girls rich too. Her fathers got
money to burn"
"A lot Of good that'll do you, Ry,"
sneered Reggie. "She wouldn't look at
the likes Of you and Edith. You aren't
in her class any more"
"Ain't / sol" queried Devon,
grouchily II reckon her hide amt no
tougher nor thicker'n it used to be
I'll thump h--ll out Of 'er once OF
twice; I'll show 'er what class she's
In"
you'll have to catch her before
you beat her. won't you, Ry?" Reg
gle inquired tauntingly. How're you
going to get your hands on her? Tell
mo that will Won p"
"Yep, Mr.. Mealy-mouth, I will, !"
thrust back Devon. eve got to steal
'er." He clenched his heavy fist and
swung it menacingly and suggestive
ly. "What's left of 'er when I'm done
with 'er II marry you all right. That
over, I'll tell 'er who she is, providin
you promise to halve up the stuff with
me-"
81 did promise you once, didn't r.
asked Reggie, sulkily. "Of course,
will, but what's the use of dreamingi
The PendIehavens're too much fol
us. Now that Paul's well, he and John
are big team, and they worship the
ground that girl walks on. You're
biting off more'n you can chew, Ry
You aren't any too strong you know
, A prison record doesn't help any,"
Uriah grunted and followed rint
OF smoke with his frowning eyes.
|, "She's my girl" he said at length
land I'm goin' to have 'er."
II thought you said she wasn't" pu
in Reggie, suspiciously.
"Well, she don't know that doe
she? Devon retorted. Nobody know
! but you and EIDE, besides me-"
"She's a beauty" sighed Reggie
his voice>lowered to q growl. "Tt
marry her If she didn't have cent
"You don't need to make any sucl
: sacrifice, old horse" said Devon
) "Your eyes will bung out Of you
head when you hear her name"
Reginald argued he should know
, who the girl was before he marrie'
) her, but Uriah wouldn't give up hi
! secret. Indeed, he unfolded to tn
> prospective husband how he PLANES
/ to capture Tonnibel, and sent Reggi
away convinced, red hot to perform
: his part in the scheme. At last, h
was to have the girl he wanted an
, money too.
y The next morning Reggie al
preached his mother with an air Q
secrecy.
ITO BE CoNTINUED)