The Colorado statesman., 1924-05-03
The Word
With the
Bark on 1t
BY MARTHA WILLIAMS

falntly ripping fingers in the hand
flung above her head. She was lis
tenlng desperately-as though for
death sentence, yet her mouth was
infantile, her figure flaccid throughout.
Tremors ran through 1t as she heard a
tenor voice chanting Justify:
sir Jerry CO -Nimble was lame of a
legl
And my Lady Go-Nimble had hardly
For very old lady was shel
Sir Jerry when married was just
twenty-five.
My lady four-score when Sir Jerry
AS ugly as sin. but rich as Jew
You may guess why he married with
sher'
"Shut up, Tony Lumpklnl I'm
ashamed OF you-knowing you amt
bit ashamed for YOURSELF" a gay
treble half-chanted from the shade of
the biggest maple hard by the drive.
Louisa, sprawled on the turf there, sat
suddenly upright, frowning prodlglous-
ly and shaking tiny fists at the singer,
who mounted upon a housekeeping
chestnut had stopped dead at sight
of her.
"Shut up, yourself, Lou" the horse
man, Cary of Carlsland, flung back.
You can't play knight errant-not
built for it-besides petticoats hamper
when 1t comes to lighting"
do they? We'll see, Tony of
mlne," Louisa cried gaily, scrambling
up and making to drag him from sad
die. He half-yielded to her tuggings,
then suddenly sat tight, reached,
caught her beneath arms,-lifted her to
his saddle-bow, and with u low word
to Iderim set off back to the highway,
captOr and captive both laughing so
hard neither could speak until the road
ran before them. Then Louisa de-
manded, pinching his ear hard:
where away, ruflian? Not that ii
matters-much-as daddy used to say
You'll be mighty sorry for this-when
you get sober
al will notr' from Cary-otherwise
Tony Lumpkin in his cousins mouth.
"You see, it's sort of rlte-before-sac-
rifice-youll be drowned for your sins
when l get to Round pond-Fm Civ
ing you time to repent"
"Wasted effort l don't in the least
need it," from Louisa impudently.
"What you call my sins are good deeds
slightly disguised as firtations. I've
been liberal education to at least
half your young barbarlans of Caney
Fork-girls who come later will find
them ware and wakin'-it's been rath-
er amusing, but Oh And OF it has
taken a lot out of me! Think of
having to laugh at the very same
jokes, and blush at the same propos-
ais from-let me see !-seven-no
nine-as good fellows as ever made
believe their hearts were breakable by
one little No."
"If you put 1t that way-why, I'll
grant a reprieve," Carey said, turning
his horse about, adding hesitantly af-
ter minute; Say, Lou, do you reck-
on friend Myra is wise? Or is she
playing the strength of the camel"
"What dye mean?" asked Louisa.
But let me get behind, before you
tell me. Next time you aim to tote
me in front of you. fetch along a
pillow-when babies rode in front they
always had pillows, Granny says"
"Shan't do it-you'll get your frock
all sweaty," Cary protested. IF you
hate my pillowing arms, why lets get
down and walk home properly. arm-in-
arm-Iike true bride and groom, in
stead of a noble Roman and Sabine
captive"
- 80 mel How awful to have a clas
sical education! !" Louisa apostrophized
space In revenge Cary flung her
across his shoulder, and held her there,
rs he slid to earth.
I've behaved beautifully-all things
considered" he said. "Unless | get
II right reward-why, I'll help myself"
kissing her at the last word.
Louisa scoffed. Like you, Tony
You know kissing me is as fiat as
drinking stale toddy. Amt | your
cousin? Also, your conscience, and
your guardian angel? But for me you'd
be either engaged seven deep-or mar
ried and the father of twins. Jessie
Mays twins-you know you were wild
about her in your freshman year. l
saved you-telling her artlessly you
had to marry me when you grew up
family arrangement-so she took
Paul Trotter ut his very next asking"
"Mightnt that work with friend
Myra?" Cary interrupted. 81 ought
to be thrashed for limiting 1t, but some
how L can't help being bit uneasy
there"
What makes you?" asked Louisa.
Facts please. sir !"
Haven't any-except that she seems
so Indifferent to-all the rest. Eel
lows that are worth ten of me-in ev-
erything from marbles to money"
"Or even chalk" Louisa supplement-
ed. laughing. Tony, you're babe,
a suckling. l doubt If ever you'll get
oya taath throuyh Myro IS bara to