Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1922-03-24
CHAPTER VI-Continued.

Ill dtlOtiti uIotutIlt lut xiii Iiiu
stripped Off her wet clothes, had
blown out the light and was In bed
beside her mother.
When Edith was assured the girl
slept she crawled out of the bed and
lighted the lamp. She tried to collect
her thoughts, to lay plan for the fu-
ture for herself and husband. John
Pendlehaven had been there Pendle-
haven the one man in the world she
dreaded the mention Of And Tony
row!
She turned and looked at the sleep
ing face, halfhidden in the blankets.
She had stolen this child from her
consequences of her wicked deed She
had TO go away, and that quickly. IF
she Lad dared to face her husbands
wrath. she would have. then and
there, communicated with Paul Pen
dlehaven.
She reached out and touched Tonni-
bells face.
baby, darlin'. wake up" she said.
II want to ask YOU something"
Tony opened her slumber-laden eyes
and smiled.
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
1t 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.
II wouldn't hurt you. darlin'." she
replied at length. but sometimes.
when daddy's beatln' you. feel like
whackin' the life out Of him. Why.
today"
Edith stopped her by a tug at her
sleeve
IF you swOre by that card you
brought. mean n You took an oath.
would you keep IT." she asked hoarse-
~.
you bet would" There was
amnzement. 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 womans voice was slyly toned.
hut she shivered in superstition.
Hes right here" affirmed the girl.
thinking of hoy's earnest uplifted
face and vibrant assurances.
"Then say after he what I'm
thinkin of" said Edith.
Tony lifted her eyes to her mothers.
but drew back when she discovered
how terrible she looked, white like n
dead person.
Edith. and then she paused "Say IT,"
she Kissed.
81 swear by the Twin Jesus" Tony
repeated fearfullv.
81 swear to my mummy never 10
say nothin' mean against Uriah De.
Won, my daddy" went on Mrs. Devon.
Tony repeated this. too, almost
frightened into fits She had never
seen her mother look and act So mvs-
teriously
Now say this. keepin' In your mind
you'll be blasted to hell II you break
your word. 4 won't never tell that my
father beat my poor mummy. or that
he's a thief and liar" A thick
fearless sob burst from the woman's
lips and brought an ejaculation from
the girl.
II swear to II all. honey mummy"
she cried. "You believe me. Edie
darlin'. don't your"
"Yes. ] believe YOU" replied Edith
DULY. Crawl Into bed. and go TO
sleep, baby dear"
Shiveringly Tony Devon got back
under the blanket.
Then for more than an hour there
was silence on the canal boat, silence
that was broken only by the night
noises outside
Then. extremely 'veak. the woman
prepared herself TO go out. II took
her long time to write note she
Ind 10 lenve for r'ony md when thnt
wns finished she divided the money