The Press., 1922-10-05

struck downward again at iTS very heart, then futtered away in wild ex- citement, scOlding their l0udest. The magician looked at them thoughtfully. Maybe you see a snake" she said. Then with a half-shriek and stumble backward, T see him tOO-a cotton mouth Oh dear Lord, help me! don't want to die that way!"
 Ashen faced, she yet snatched a stout dead branch, and stood very straight. Keith thought he had never seen anything so fine. Fear was writ large in every lineamenr-but nOt il thought of blanching-she would stand her ground. "Where is the snake?" he called hushedly, fearing to startle her further. "Right thereby that tall weed-he was on vine, has dropped down-and will come after me-"
 He will not!" Keith interposed. Springing in front of her. InvOlun- tarily she caught his arm, crying Look Out You don't know the dan ger. If he strikes you-you die"
 Keith peered in the vine recessps with trained huntsman eyes-there he saw dimly thickish SinuOus body striped cOpper-brOnZe, pale yellow and black-the black in narrow lines be tWiXt the cOlOrs. He knew the rep tile in bOOks-that it was sluggish venomOus, treacher0us If only he lad his revolver-fOolishly he had Jeff it behind. He had only his alppnstOrk
 
 quarters. He stood measuring the distance for a stroke. noting the while the slow gliding of the reptile toward the girl As he made to launch a blow at it bullet from behind clipped !he snakes head neatly off, then set, draWling voice said evenly: Reckon the next time you go black perrin, Miss Jincy, you won't be so III, pity about lettin' me go too"
 Indeed, indeed won't. Phil" Mis-, Jincy answered, her color coming pack in a flood. You are certainly the right man in the right place just now. But-yOu see, I wasn't in such dreadful danger. This gentleman" smiling at Keith, "wOuldn't have Ipl him bite me, even if he had had to spoil his nice stick"
 If he had 1 reckon somebody would a-spOiIed him." Phil said trucuIentIv. Then changing mood and tone instant Iy: 'IS your name Keith? Thought SO I've got letter here from sam Jay son tellin' me to look out you don't get Snake-bit nor carried away. by var hints. Heaps and heaps of varmints, you knOw-wildcats. 'cOons. possums R;d foxes, not name the willapus-Wal- lapus. Ever hear about it? It's new to most fOlks-they say 1t got loose from a circus sOmeWhars up North and stopped over here on its way back to the gulf"
 'Shame on you. Phil! You know there's not any-such-thing," Miss Jincy said reprOvingly. s'Instead of trying to frighten a stranger you might introduce him. As you won't-Pm Jincy Leavall, MT. Keith. And I live over yOnder;" nodding toward red roof barely showing above the hedge rows. Phil there-he Is Phil Dancy- keeps bach on beyond. You can stay all night with him, but I invite you both to supper at our house. You look hungry-and Phil Is never any other way this time of the day"
 You said something!' Phil flung back airily. Keith, I'm glad to see you. I want to find out how to run away from girls and have good times all by myself"
 Find another teacher, please" Keith flung back: "I only thought knew hoW-the last half hour has shown me better"
 You two don't need to pick quar- rel over me-" Miss Jincy said tranquil N. Sally Ford and Ruthy Davis are