The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-01-13

length LET her gaze settle on the Wour
an.
Il s'pose | beer doin' something
hellish," she ventured presently i'm "a
low tone. Have |, Elder"
Nope, not this time, Tony" thrust
in Devon. But we've got to tell you
something. You're gettin' 10 be a WON
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. zap it out
quick. sweet, and III jump to do it!'
The began TO cry softly.
Go on, Edie,' said Uriah. why
in HI are you blubbeI+n' over a
thing you can't help?"
But | can help it." cried Edith.
"And what's more | will. Run away.
baby. and I'll have it out with your
pop while you're gone"
Devon reached forward and laid a
strong OBTAINING hand on the girls
arm.
ITS this" he got out between his
lGeLu lOu gu " SCI ma iSN" ~
been Twin on me long enough"
The girl stared at him blankly.
"Get married." she repeated duly.
who'd marry a brat like me? I'm
notbin' but a kid yet, and I'm goin' to
stay right here with my mother. See?
l don't have to-do l, mummy darlin'?'
"Your mas word amt law On this
boat" answered UriahN in an ugly
tone. Mine is, though. Fire ahead,
Edie, and tell the kid my WILL"
Mrs. Devon coughed systematically
and toyed with the fabric OF her skirt.
A slender brown hand went up and
closed over her twitching fingers.
81 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 Uriab Devon moved his
feet n%ervously. Perhaps his task
wasn't going to be 50 easy after all.
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 eve got if you mind what |
tell you"
The girl eyed him c%uriously, making
a sidewise gesture with her head.
WHO'S the duffer you've chose out
for me?' she asked at length. You
might as well 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 10 a resOlu-
ton that meant trouble for herself and
for Tonnibel.
Il amt fought it all out with your
daddy. kid" she SMILED weakly. You
get to the cabin and mend them old
clothes"
Uriah Devon laid his pipe beside
him and uttered an oath.
you'll stay right here. brat" he
gritted, and pay heed to me-"
"Uriah." screamed the woman, eff
you 90 on with this. III tell 'er all |
know. | swear | Will. Tony, honey.
Tony, baby, II amt"
With a roar the man sprang forward
and in his effort to reach his wife
Knocked the girl flat 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.
1t wasn't the same Tony who had
come fearfuIly TO them but a short
period before with the little pig in her
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. Now you killed her, d-n
You" she. screamed. IF you kick 'er
-I1l-T1l-" She dropped at the side
of her mother, her threat broken in
two by the awful pallor on the WON
ans face. "Oh, God. mummy darlin',
mummy d%arlin'," she ended in a bit
ter cry.
Growing in rage. Devon turned on
her.
'Mebbe l have killed err" said he.
"If so, I'll make a good job of it and
finish YOU too"
The girl rose before him, her eyes
MSANvD