Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-04-07
CHAPTER VI-continued.

III dHOlleT HOIneHJ the girl nat
stripped off her wet clothes, hat
blown out the light and was in be-
beside her mother.
When Edith was assured the cir
slept, she crawled out of the bed ant
lighted the lamp. She tried to collec
her thoughts, to lay plan for the fu
ture for herself and husband. Johr
Pendlehaven had been there! Pendle
haven, the one man in the world she
dreaded the mention of And Tons
had said he 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 her
rather, and now she had to escape the
consequences of her wicked deed. She
had to go away, and that quickly. If
she had dared to face her husbands
wrath, she would have, then and
there, communicated with Paul Pen
dlehaven.
She reached out and touched Tomb
bells face.
"Baby, darIin', wake up" she said
II want to ask you something's
Tony opened her slumber-laden eyes
andssmiled.
Don't go to sleep again." exclaimed
Mrs. Devon, hoarsely. "Tell me this.
Do you honest believe what you said
about that thing on the card? About
it 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, and
a doubtful shadow settling in her eyes,
seemed to make her wider awake.
81 wouldn't hurt you, darlin'," she
replied at length, ''but sometimes.
when daddy's beatin' you, I 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, 1 mean if you took an oath,
would you keep it?" she asked hOarse-
ly.
"You bet I would" There was
surprise and eagerness In
the young voice.
Didn't you tell me the Teller said
Jesus was holy bird?"
Tony nodded.
Mrs. Devon gripped her fingers
about the girls arm.
"Mebbe he's in the Dirty Mary here,
only you can't see him, baby dear?"
The woman's voice was slyly toned,
but she shivered in superstition.
"He's right here" affirmed the girl,
of a boys earnest upllfted
ACE and vibrant assurances.
"Then say after me what I'm
hinkin' Of" said Edith.
Tony lifted her eyes to her mothers,
nut drew back when she discovered
low terrible she looked, white like a
lead person.
81 swear by the Twin Jesus" began
edith. and then she paused. "Say IT,"
he Kissed.
l.
epeated fearfully.
81 swear to my mummy never to
ay nothln' mean against Uriah De.
on, my daddy" went on Mrs. Devon.
Tony repeated this, too, almost
frightened into fits. She had never
cen her mother look and act so mys-
"Now say this, keepln' In your mind .
QUILL be blasted to hell IL you break
our word, L won't never tell that my
,ther beat my poor mummy, or that
e's thief and a liar" A thick
,arless sob burst from the woman's
ps and brought an ejaculation from y
le girl.
81 swear to It all, honey mummy" /
he cried. "YOu believe me, Edle, t
,rlln', don't your" v
"Yes, I believe you" replied Edith, t
lilly. Crawl into bed, and go to h
eep. baby dear"
Shiverlngly Tony Devon got back S
lder the blanket.
Then for more than an hour there h
MS silence on the canal boat silence
at was broken only by the night a
Uses outside. I,
Then, extremely weak, the woman
epared herself TO go out. It took h
r long time TO write note she te
d to leave for Tony, and when that
IL finished, she divided the money 81