Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-04-15

| Iapus. Ever hear about IL? It's pew
Ia most folks--they say II got loose
from II circus sOmewhars up North
aud stopped over here on It's way back
to the gulf"
"Shame on you. Phil, You know
there's not ny-such-thlng." Miss
Jincy said reprovingly. INSTEAD Of
trying 10 brighten stranger you might
Introduce him. As you wOn't-i'm
Jincy Leavall Mr.. Keith. Aud | live
over yonder." nodding toward u red
roof barely showing above the hedge
rows. phil thcre-he Is Phil Dancy-
keeps bach on beyond. You can stay
all night with him, but invite you
both to supper nj our house. You
look hungry-and Phil Is never any
other way this time of the day"
You said somethlngr Phil flung
back airily. Keith, I'm glad to see
you. | want TO find out how to run
away from girls and have good times
all by myself"
Find another teacher. please"
Keith flung back: II only thought
knew how--the last half hour has
shown me better"
"You two don't need to pick II quar-
rel over me-" Miss Jincy said tranquil
~. "Sally Ford and Ruthy Davis are
coming to stay all night Billy Davis
brings them-you know he never lets
his sister go anywhere by herself"
Especially not to your house."
Phil INTERCEPTED: wish | had sis
ter-nobody's brother would have any
thing on me-"
a big, clean. airy, tiowerscented
/ house, II glorious supper. much music
and laughter interspersed with games
I afterward. made Keith's head fairly
whirl. He had never thought country
! life could be like thlS--the LeavaIs
and their manager were equal to any
he knew In the home suburbs And
the gay company lost nothing by CON
trGst with the jazZ-crowds or the set
entertainment he was used to- Idly
he wondered how people had gained
! ideas of r0ughnecks and haySecdS-s0
unlike the real thing. But speculation
did not make him blind to the keen
( watch Phil kept upon him nor the ex-
ceeding discomfort Of Billy Davis at
sight of him.
Evidently these two were prime
rivals of Miss .Iincy's favor-each
feared the other nightly. but was
ready To make common cause with him
against an outlandcr. Miss Jincy her.
al. In
sisted that the whole party should es-
cort Phil and his guest homc-at the
witching hour when cocks were crow
ing midnight
There was pairing, of cOurSe-Phil
took Jincy rs of right. Billy Davis
walked perforcc with Sally Ford. leav-
! ing Keith no choice of cOmpany-but
Ruthy Davis was So softly merry, he
could not complain. At the gate there
were long combinations as to next
day. the next, the afterneXt-but pres
emily came bed and sleep. Keith had
not thought II possible tn sleep--but
after long tramplng nature has her
way.
He woke to find the sun an hour
high. breakfast smoking on the table,
and his host sitting outside deep In
the country paper. brought In late yes
terday. He shouted gay good MORN
ing and when later they sat eating
told droll stories and cracked jokes
as though there were 10 such things
as girls and rivalry in the world But
as they sauntered outside, pulling
PIPE: .: .c-y .10;. tobacco. 1t wheeled
upon Keith. saying grimly: You saw
me clip that snakes hcad-how'd you
like to swap shots with me?'
what for?" Keith demanded. his
eyes blazing
"For love--name no names" Phil re-
turned.
Keith, tense all over said simply:
II am ready. only have no weapon.
Where can | get one?"
There" said Phil. noddlng toward
table where lay several pistols.
Keith snatched up one without look
ing and stepped out into the sunshine,
saying In stecly tones: NOW for
word"
"'Bout face. One" Phil cried. rails
ing his pistol Keith did likewise.
gray-faced. but steady
Phil looked ut him, smiling grimly-
and fired in the air. saying: ".Ilncy
said last night she loved you best
you may have her. But you shouldn't
have lived to do II IL you had shown
the white feather"