Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-09-14

she hestated and then, as II with a
sudden resolution, she made her way
quickly in the direction of the port
age.
There was a rig with two horses he
fore the factors door. Inside the door
Tom BOwyer was standing, and Molly
faced him, white to the lips, and rigid.
''Pve given you your answer many
times" said Molly.
Bowyer smiled. "No decision that
was ever made can't be changed" he
retorted. as it crime to love you
to want to make you my wife?"
"NO: but it is a crime to prosecute
me when you know you have no right
to ask me at ALL"
Tom BOwyer, who had cultivated his
RACES until they had mastered him,
could never refrain from falling into
the bully's pose when he met Opposi-
ton. He slammed his fist down fierce
ly on the counter.
"I'll change your answer, Molly" he
cried. Before l leave this store to-
night. I'll have you at my feet, for all
your pride. D-n it. it's your pride
want as much as YOU. l want to hum
Bile you, because there's never been
man or woman l couldn't tame sooner
or later. I'm making you an honorable
proposal. Your fathers a dying man.
Anyone can see that. want you, and
l want to take care of him for your
sake, the rest of his days. l ask you
to be my wife, to come to Cold June
ton with me and marry me. Dyou sup
pose he could hold his job here an
other day if the company knew he's
paralyzed? I'll drive him from the
portage unless you marry me and let
him take his pension and live with
u.s."
81 tell you no again!' cried Molly.
''How many times am to answer you?
Will you go now?'
He caught her by the wrists, thrust
ing his face forward into hers.
She screamed in fear, and they heard
the dragging footsteps of the factor in
his room above. The old man felt his
way slowly down the stairs and edged
along the counter. There was fear in
his sunken eyes; but it was anger
made him tremble.
Eye go too far, Mr.. BOwyer!" he
Quavered. "Ye Gamma insult my girl
in my own house"
"Get back to bed, you old fool"
sneered BOwyer. Didn't you do your
own love-making?"
"If she Wilma have We l Wilma sell
her! Leave the house and do your
worst !"
IF l do" answered Bowyer, "I'll do
it. D'you mean that? Answer me,
McDonaldr
The factor sank back against the
counter and glared at him with bag
gard eyes, his gray beard brushing his
breast. Bowyer smiled triumphantly.
Speak for me, Mcdonald" he
jeered. "Tell her why she'd better
change her mind"
The factor raised his head. "Molly,
lass" he whimpered, "it's a grand OPP
portunity he's offering We. Have We no
| thocht of that? It'll be hame for We
in my old age, when l Gamma care for
ye."
Molly fixed her eyes in horror upon
Mcdonald. But Bowyer strobe between
them
You're fine love-maker" he
sneered Get out of the way"
| iDHnmo1 olrooct n n1a5pocc no
seized Molly In his arms and pressed
his lips to her cheek and throat again
and again.
II guess you're not so coy as you pre-
tend, Molly" he cried. "YOu women
are all alike, after all I never knew
one yet that wasn't in hurry to get
hitched up, however much she pretend
| ed to dislike IT,"
The opening Of the door behind him
made him start. Kitty stood there, and
| it was quite clear that she had been a
spectator of the scene. With a stran-
| gled cry Molly broke from Bowyers
! grasp and ran into her room. She
| dragged her bed against the door and
stood behind it, sobbng with terror
and anger. The factor leaned against
| the counter, a look Of dull apathy on
his face. Bowyer turned sheepishly to
Kitty.
"Well, / guess you caught me this
I time, Mrs. BOstOck," he said But, be-
ing woman, you'll understand"
Kitty's disgust for Bowyer held her
silent. she made the slightest gesture
of her head to him and went out of the
store. Bowyer followed her.
what does it mean?" asked Kitty.
at means that l want Molly Melon
aid, and I've never wanted any man or
woman yet that | didn't get" said
Bowyer. make the most of it," he
clustered I've as much right as Car
ruthers, haven't II"
mo" said Kitty.
"Why haven't II"
"Mr. Carruthers was first. They are
engaged"
whats to stop her breaking it,"
AS his agitation subsidized, BOwyer, a
keen judge. noticed that Kitty's poise
was unnatural ;'she seemed laborng
under some SUPPRESSED emotion He