Glacier County chief., 1939-11-03

to his own peculiar code. He was
sticking it out-whatever the cost
not so much because of any
desire to avenge the death Of his
| friend, as because it seemed the
proper thing to do.
It was an oddly sinister procession
which trudged through the black
ness of Big Moccasin Swamp. A
man from the city and a wildly
beautiful woman. Seven alcohol
logged swamp angels, exalted by
false righteousness.
They moved slowly.
They moved toward Cathedral
Gardens.
They moved upon Barney Hamil-
ton. To lynch him.
Margaret Hamilton entered the
big kitchen and smiled at the huge,
ebony Negress who presided there.
Company for supper, fragrant"
"Yassum, Miss Margaret-they
mos usually is" Then, "Mistuh Ow-
enby?"
Margaret shook her head. "Not
tonight"
"How come not?"
Hes busy"
"Lawsy, Miss Margaret-was I a
man I'd have to be awful busy not
to come see purity gal like you"
well he's just that busy. Miss
Kay is coming, though"
"Yassum." Flagrant's black eyes
twinkled. Reckon it amt so long
off when Miss Kay will be remainin'
heah pummanent."
Maybe ;" Margaret looked
around the immaculate kitchen.
isn't this Zero's night OFF,"
"Yassum."
"Then I'll help with supper"
'No'm-that's the most thing
you amt gwine do. So git you
gone" fragrant made clucking
noises and Margaret fed. She passed
through the hall and thence onto the
veranda.
Kay was with Barney and their
faces were turned toward the sum
set. They walked down to the la
COON, unconscious of the striking pic
ture they afforded: a picture of
healthy youth, of youth oblivious to
everyone and everything save them
selves: Barney tall and broad and
blond; Kay looking infinitesimal be-
side him. They disappeared behind
screen of radiant azalea.
They seated themselves on
bench of hewn cypress logs, and for
few moments neither spoke. Night
was closing upon them. Barney's
first words were light. His lips
smiled, but his gray eyes were Sc
rious.
Behold" he said, "the figure of
young man about to do some
thing" %
Kay sensed that there was some
thing deeper than badinage in Bar
ney's words. She knew that he was
more serious than she had seen him
for days. And so she asked, ITO
do what?"
Barney laughed. Awkwardly. AS
though in apology for his embarrass-
ment.
"Want to hear all about it, hon.
ey?"
"Well :" He took deep breath
&c. it sounds screwy coming
from me, but then I've never de-
ceived you about being the undisput-
ed worlds champion ne'er-do-well."
She said, "You used to be proud
of that title"
used to be is right. Maybe it
was my fault, maybe the fault of
the way I'd been raised. So much
of everything wanted-when I.
wanted it-that never could see an
awful lot of sense in minor things
like jobs and ambition. well. l
don't even know how to describe
what mean"
81 understand.
"Sure you do. Anyway :" and
he motioned toward the great aisle
under the archway of cypress, "any-
way, this gives me courage to
continue. It seems as though GER
tain young man is beginning to see
the light. He yearns to go forth
and make history. He desires to
lay the world at the tiny feet of his
lady fair. Which reminds me, do
you happen to like worlds?"
Kay tried to answer lightly, but
could not. She said, 81 like you,
Barney" Then, after a moment of
silence, ''What are you planning?"
81 don't know exactly. And I'm
not kidding myself. either. I-well,
I'm wanting to start something
which will allow me to support
wife-provided l can find one with
black hair and hazel eyes who an
swers to the name of Kay"
She put her warm little hand over
his. go ahead, Barney"
1--WE been thinking, a rare thing
for me. I've been talking to Moth
er. And I'm not foolish enough to
believe that Beverly offers any par
ticular opportunity to an ambitious
young man. Seriously, honey-I'm
planning to check out"