The St. Charles herald., 1922-04-29

lapus. Ever hear about It! It's how
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. Instead OF
trying to frighten stranger you might
introduce him. As you won't-Tm
Jincy Leavall, Mr.. Keith. And I live
over yonder," nodding toward a 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 l 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. l want to find out how to run
away from girls and have good times
all by myself"
"Find another teacher, please"
Keith flung back: Il only thought l
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
ly. "Sally Ford and Rutny Davis are
coming to stay all night. Billy Davis
brings them--you know ne never lets
his sister go anywhere by herself"
Especially not to your house"
Phil interjected: "Wish l had a sis
ter-nobody's brother would have any,
thing ON me-"
house, a glorious supper, much music
and laughter interspersed with games
afterward, made Keith's head fairly
whirl. He had never thought country
life could be like this-the LeavaAs
and their manager were equal to any
he knew In the home suburbs. And
the gay company lost nothing by con-
trast with the jazz-crowds or the set
entertainment he was used to. Idly
he wondered how people had gained
ideas of roughnecks and hayseeds-sO
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 al
sight Of him.
Evidently these two were prime
rivals of Miss Jincy's favor-each
feared the other nightly, but was
ready to make common cause with him
against an outlander. Miss Jincy her
self bore out the impression-she in.
sisted that the whole party should es-
cort Phil and his guest home-at the
witching hour when cocks were crow
ing midnight.
There was pairing, of course-Phil
took Jincy as of right. Billy Davis
wicked perforce with Sally Ford, leav'
ing Keith no choice of company-bu1
| Ruthy Davis was so softly merry, he
could not complain. At the gate there
were long confabulations as to next
day, the next, the afternext-but pres
emily came bed and sleep. Keith hac
not thought it possible to sleep--bu1
after long tramping nature has hel
| way.
He woke to find the sun an houl
| high, breakfast smoking on the table
and his host sitting outside deep IL
| 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 Joke:
as though there were no such things
as girls and rivalry In the world. Blu
az they sauntered outside, putin,
pipes of very good tobacco. he wheelet
upon Keith, saying grimly: You saw
me clip that snakes head-how'd vol
like to swap shets with met"
"What fory" Keith demanded, hi
eyes blazing.
"For love-name no names." Phil n
| turned.
Keith, tense all over, said simply
81 am ready, only-I have no weapon
Where can I get one?"
There" said Phil, nodding towar
table where lay several pistols
Keith snatched up one without look
ing and stepped out into the sunshine
saying in steely tones: "Now for
word"
! "'Bout face. One," Phil cried. rails
ing his pistol. Keith did likewise
gray-faced, but steady.
Phil looked at him, smiling grimly-
and fired In the air, saying: "Jinc
said last night she loved you best
you may have her. But you shouldn'
have lived to do 1t IL you had show
the white feather"