The Hope pioneer., 1921-03-17
CHAPTER XIV.
The Last Gard.

The Last Gard.
One day some weeks later, Regi-
nald Grown walked rapidly along the
boulevard past the row of squatter
shacks. He had received word that
Urfah 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.
80 you came, old top,'. was Uriah's
greeting. "It's good you did; I 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.
Il thought you said she was dead,"
commented Reggie, with wag OF his
head toward the spot where the wom-
an had stood. III
"Well. she ain'tl Worse luck I"
growled Uriah. Il told that to; the
kid to make her feel bad. Eide was
willing to be dead for while, any
how. What's the news of Tonyl'
"'Oh, she's g lady now," answered
Reggie, sarcastically. 1.-THE Pendle-
havens have sent her to school even
since you went away. My mother tells
me Paul Pendlehaven's going to adopt
her. And what do you think else?"
he demanded.
. Il dunno" grunted the other. "Good
God! Don't sit there tearin' me to
pieces with curiosity. Fire ahead.
and tell me-"
"she's copped Phil MacCauley," re-
turned Reginald; "Ithaca's snob Of a
Salvation Army captain, the fellow
who threw mes in the lake that day,
and he's as rich as the Pendlehavens
put together" 4s5i
"Well, he won't get 'er," asserted
Uriah, sharply. 1--WE told you the
girls rich too. Her fathers got
money to burn" 49, u
"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 l. so?" queried Devon,
-grouchily. "I'reckon her hide amt no
tougher nor tbicker'n> it used to- be.
I'll thump h-ll ont Of 'er once or
twice; I'll show 'er what class she's
In"
+. youth 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 you?'
"Yep, Mr.. Mealy-mouth, WILL"
thrust back Devon. 1--WE got to steal
'er." He clenched his heavy fist and
swung it. menacingly send suggestive
~. "What's left of 'er when I'm done
with FER IL marry you all right. That
over, I'll tell 'er who she is, providin'
you promise to halve up the stuff with
me-"
II did promise you once, didn't IT.
asked Reggie, sulkily. "Of course, I
will, but what's the use Of dreaming7
The Pendlehavens're too much for
us. Now that Paul's well, he and John
are big team, and they worship the
grot1nd thht girl walks on. You're
biting of more'n you can chew, Ry.
lYou aren't any too strong, you know.
A prison record doesn't help any"
Uriah grunted and followed ring
Of smoke with his frowning eyes.
"She's my GIRL" he said at length,
"and I'm goin' to have 'er."
II thought you said she wasn't" put
in Reggie, suspiciously.
SWELL. she don't Know that, does
she?" Devon retorted. Nobody knows
but you and EIDE, besides me-"
= "She's "a beauty" sighed Reggie,
his voice lowered to & growl. "Td
marry her If she didnx. have a cent"
"You don't need to make any such
sacrifice, old horse" said Devon.
'"Your eyes will bung out Of your
head when you hear her name"
Reginald. argued he should know
who the girl was before he married
her. but Uriah wouldn't give up his
secret. Indeed, he tunfolded to the
prospective husband how he planned
to capture Tonnibel, and sent Reggie
away convinced, red hot to perform
his part in the scheme. At last, he
was to have the girl he wanted and
money too. I'LL.
The next morning Reggie ap-
preached his mother with an air of
secrecy.
mn