The Snowflake herald., 1921-05-20

looking at her mother. "Yap IL OCt
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 bIubberin' 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
teeth. "You got to get married. You
been livin' on me long enough"
The girl stared at him blanzly.
Get married." she repeated duly.
who'd marry a brat like me? I'm
nothin' but a kid yet, and I'm goin' to
stay right here with my mother. See?
don't have tO--d0I, mummy darlin'!'
"YCur mas word amt law 0n this
boat" answered Uriah in an ugly
tone. 'AIine is, though. Fire ahead,
Edie, and tell the kid my will"
Mrs. Devon coughed spasmodically
and toyed with the fabric OF her skirt.
A slender brown hand went up and
closed over her twitching fingers.
Il 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
wasn't going to be SO 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'H be missin' one of the best lick
ms you ever got if you mind what l
tell you"
The girl eyed him curiously, 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 twa
rows of teeth cleaned through the red
of her lips. She made a wry face.
''Nothin' like that for me-eh. Edie?"
Edith Devon was coming to a resolu-
tion that meant trouble for herself and
for Tonnibel
Il amt fought it all out with your
daddy, kid" she sniffled 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, "if
you go on with this, I'll tell 'er all
know. I swear 1 will. Tony, honey,
Tony, baby, IL amt"
With a 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.
1t 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. 'Now you killed her, d-n
you," she screamed. "If you kick 'er |
.Pll-Tll-" She dropped at the side
of her mother, her threat broken in |
two by the awful pallor on the wom- |
ans face. ooh, God, mummy darlin'.
mummy darlin'," she ended in Bit
ter cry.
Growing in rage, Devon turned on
her.
"Mebbe have killed 'er," said he.
IF so, I'll make good job of it and
finish you too"
The girl rose before him. her eyes
blazing into his, her little fists
clenched together.
Folks that murder other people.
Pappy Devon" she shot back, "gev
strapped in a chair, and they get
lightning run through 'em. Go on anC
finish up Go on and finish me! I'd
ruther have you kill me than make me
marry that old Reggie"
AS If his name had brought him out
Of the forest, Reginald Brown walked
down the Hoghole path.