Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-03-18

she was vowed to Hop-Light Martin.
the man of all others she wished to
avoid
lie had money, AMI traces of col
lege education. Also. and further, he
fancied himself 81 greatly he suspected
wOmankind In general of sharing his
feelings. Worst of all, he hated with
deadly malice young John Glover.
upon whom Miss Benny had fixed her
mind and heart as her proper mate.
Young John was just getting foot
hold In the law-but he was ambitious
as LucIfer. Hence Benny's diplomacy
she knew all things needs must have
u beginning-young John with his ma
tive township behind him sOlldly had
more than an even chance Of getting
the county. and state. to have the
same mind.
He knew what Hop-I.ight thought
OF hIm-and returned the opinion with
interest. He had also an understand
ing as To- Benny's inclinatiOns and
plans. So he ought not to have minded
In the least seeing her swinging down
the middle. In the opening Virginia
reel. nor the setting In Sir Roger de
Coverly. which walked general ap-
plause.
Mind IL he did to degree that
made him rampantly careless. Torn
gowns trodden corns marked his
progress to such an extent that there
was wide-eyed amazement and whls-
hot no 4,
more hard cider than he well could
carry. Benny knew the truth but his
seeming mlstrust of her made her so
furious she forgot prudence for time
and outdanced herself. IIop-Light all
said and done, was certainly fine
partner-he knew plenty Of old catches
fitting the tunes. and sang them with
gusto In r0bustious tenor that set
the crowd clapplng and laughing hard.
Slow jenkins even shouted. You're
'lected. HOp-Light. no matter what
you're runnin' fer" Hop-I.ight bowed
grandly then. the dance ended, he
stood out clear Of everything crying.
Nov for n hornpipe Say. Johnny,
you watch me-" to Glover.
a taunt this. Johnny was ADLER in
head than heels. But he was pas.
prudence with anger So he stepped In
front of the hornpiper, saying with
curling lip: mo matter about the
split. Right now well have the
smack" sutlng the action to the
words. and sending Hop-Light reeling
A clinch was the logical rejoinder.
Hop-Light did not make IT, Instead
he caught balance. flung his arms
above his head. saying airily: Bad
bad boy; Have to tend 10 him later"
Back. forth. in. out. around. about
he leaped and flung. In perfect time
to the music and swapping his own
fingers. Benny was blind with rage
at both of them. John should have
known better. Hnp.Light should have
acted worse. She must somehow
intervene. II would never do to make
matters serious by taking notice OF the
blow.
II must pass rs sportive or raise n
great scandal--oue that would mean
Johns being forbidden the house.
Squire Jordan was Il hearty man. bur
had the strictest ideas of hospitality.
Horse-play he did not mind-the H.
cense of parlngs amply excused II.
But there might be u vicious set-to
when the dance ended unless-sudden-
/ ~ she had an inspiration-and darted
7 away TO realize II.
Thus II fell out that In almost the
last flourish before the split IIop-Light
stepped upon an apple peel carelessly
flung at his feet. From whose hahd
none saw, or cared 10 know. hut the
result was deadly. He slipped. stag
gered. tried To find his feet staggered
again harder. and fell sprawIing at
I Nell Crabb'S feet Then be sure roar
went up. Nell poor dear, had pursued
Hop-Llght faithfully ever since she
let down her frockS. GLOW Jenkins
caught HopLight by one arm, Benny
Jordan by the other: together they
yanked him upright and thrust Sell's
hand In his. crying: Before witness
es you've knelt To Nelly. Now kiss
her and she'll say yes"
"You. too" John Glover. asked in
Benny's ear. She nodded. And so
there were pairlngS nj the pairing