The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-04-21
CHAPTER vi.
Tony" SWears an Oath.

She smiled sadly down upon ner, sat
on stool and took one Of the wom-
ans thin hands in hers.
"Where's your daddy?' murmured
Mrs. Devon.
"He's gone, mummy DEAR" breathed
Tony. "I guess he thought some one
was after him. You're feelin' rot
better, huh, honey?"
"Yep, but I'm thirsty, awful thirsty,
baby DEAR"
Tonnibel gave her a drink, and re-
seated herself. I,
you're goin' to get WE'LL" she
calculated. 81 brought a awful nice
doctor here when you were so sick.
He's just gone, and he left you them
pills and that medicine in the glass"
The woman stared at the speaker
as if she hadn't heard rightly.
"a doctor?' she whined. 'What
doctor?"
Doctor Pendlehaven," replied Ton
nibel. "He's a real nice man-John
Pendlehaven.''
Edith struggled up on her elbow.
"Whatd you bring him here forT'
she cried. "I hate the Pendlehavens.
Uriah hates 'em-"
"I know that, mummy" Tony cut
her off with, "but you was too sick to
tell me what to do, and daddy wasn't
here, so I just went and got the doc
tor myself. Here! You mustn't
sit up"
''I will! I will Now tell me all he
said from the beginning to end"
In silence Tonnibel helped her moth
er to sitting position and wrapped
the blankets around her. Then she
began to tell her what had happened
The only thing she omitted speaking
Of was the baby's picture. :
"He were the only doctor I knew
about" she offered finally, flushing
"and he's the beautifulest man I ever
saw. Mebbe he'll come down tomor-
row to see you" !
Edith dropped back on the bed, shiv-
ering in desperation. =
"Get your clothes off, baby" she
whispered. "Crawl in beside me.
You're all wet"
''Take your medicine first, then l
WILL" said Tonpibel. "Here-" She
picked up the glass and then stood
staring at the. place she'd taken it
from. "Why, the doctor must have
= this money" she exclaimed, TAX
ing up a roll Of bills. "Look, Edie.
look!"
"Get off your Clothes" repeated the
woman, impassively. "Come on to
bed. and 60 to Sleep"
In another moment the girl had
stripped off her wet clothes, had
blown out the light and was in bed
beside her mother.
When Edith was assured the girl
slept, she crawled out of the bed and
lighted the lamp. She tried to collect
her thoughts, to lay q plan for the fu-
ture for herself and husband. John
Pendlehaven had been there! Pendle-
haven, the one man in the world she
dreaded the mention Of! And Tony
had said be would come back tomOr
row!
She turned and looked at the sleep
ing face, half-hidden in the blankets
She had stolen this child from heS
father, and now she had to escape the
consequences of her wicked deed. Sne
had to 60 away, and that quickly. II
she had dared to face her husbands
wrath, she would have, then and
there, communicated with Paul Pen
dlehaven.
She reached out and touched Tonni-
bel's face.
'eBaby, darlin', wake up," she said.
81 want to ask you something!"
Tony opened her slumber-laden eyes
and smiled.
Don't 90 to sleep again." exclaimed
Mrs. Devon, hoarsely. "Tell me this.
Do you honest believe what you said
about that thing on the card? About
1t bein' holy?'
'Yep," asserted Tony, with droop-
ing eyelids.
"You don't want to hurt Uriah and
me, do you, honey?
The girl shook her head slowly, ana
a doubtful shadow settling In her eyes,
seemed to make her wider awake.
'T wouldn't hurt you, darlin'," she
replied at length, ''but sometimes
when daddy's beatin' you, feel like
whackin' the life out Of him. Why
today"
Edith stopped her by tug at her
sleeve.
"If YOU swore by that card you
brought, I mean if you took an oath'
would you keep it?' she asked hoarse-
ly.
"You bet I would" There was
amazement, surprise and eagerness IN
the young voice.
"Didn't you tell me the feller said
Jesus was a holy bird?''
Tony nodded.
Mrs. Devon gripped her fingers