Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-06-09
CHAPTER XIV.
The Last Gard.

INC Last NdIo.
One day some weeks later, Regi.
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.
81 thought you said she was dead"
commented Reggie, with a wag of his
head toward the spot where the wom-
an had stood.
"Well, she amt! Worse luck 7"
grOwIed Uriah. 81 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 TonyT
"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 what do you think else"
he demanded.
81 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 a
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. 1--WE 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 SOP queried Devon,
grouchily. 81 reckon her hide amt no
tougher nor thicker'n it used to be.
I'll thump hill 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
me that, will your"
yep, Mr.. Mealy-mouth, l WILL"
thrust back Devon. eve got to steal
'er" He clenched his heavy fist and
swung it menacingly and suggestive
ly. whats left of 'er when I'm done
with 'er IL marry you all right. That
over, I'll tell 'er who she is, providin'
you promise to halve up the stuff with
me-"
Il did promise you once, didn't ~
asked Reggie, sulkily. "Of course,
will, but what's the use of dreaming7
The Pendlehavens're too much for
us. Now that Paul's well, he and John
are a 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 a ring
of smoke with his frowning eyes.
"She's my girl" he said at length,
land I'm goin' to have 'er."
81 thought you said she wasn't" put |
in Reggie, suspiciously.
"Well, she don't know that, does |
she?" Devon retorted. Nobody knows
out you and EIDE, besides me-"
"She's a beauty" sighed Reggie,
lis voice lowered to a growl. "Td
marry her If she didn't have q cent"
"You don't need to make any such
sacrifice, old horse" said Devon.
Your eyes will bung out of your
lead when you hear her name"
Reginald argued he should know
Who the girl was before he married
Ter, but Uriah wouldn't give up his
iecret. Indeed, he unfolded to the
husband how he planned
o capture Tonnibel, and sent Reggie
way convinced, red hot to perform
lis part in the scheme. At last, he
vas to have the girl he wanted and
money too.
The next morning Reggie APP
roached his mother with an air Of
ecrecy.
CTO BE CONTINUED)