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Show of the mWS Dmes 3 A Now jRomanca of Tho 5torm-Cotmtrti "AFTER SHE'S MARRIED" Synapsis. 'Lonely ami almosl frL-n.ll.r-s. Tunnili.-l D'-vmi, IMiik on a rioial li'ial wi:h a hriitnl fa-tlti.r fa-tlti.r ami a uorn-'Vit, l!isnijiir;o,,'d lili'thfT, u';i'm1"-8 Into a Salvation army hall at II lim a.. N. V. Tli'-i-nfi" ii,c;r-ln a yoiln:; S.i I v:i I ion aijny rap tain, liiilip .Maot.'acloy. .Shi' Is Almost at'i-al'l to cnU;r, but Philip asHiiroH h'-r everyone in wr-lennii: arnl she llt-ar.s from him, for the Jir.il time In her life, about Coil, hhe returns home a.nl tells her mother about her visit. ; CHAPTER II. ' The Master of the Dirty Mary. A week In fore tills story opens, Uriah Oevon had steamed the length of tin.' hike, anchoring his boat as near tlhaca as hp dared. Even to his wife, F.dilh, lie had not conlidod wlvy lie had brought her to n town where yawning prison doors jjaped for her every passing pass-ing hour. "I won't tro, Itiah," Mrs. Devon had rried wlien her husband had made the statement that he iiltended to visit Ilhaea. "You couldn't get me near that place with a rope around my neck." Hut the very fact that slie now sat on a small hench against thebnat rail, pazim: moodily at the water, proved that Uriah Devon had contrived to have his way. Occasionally Mrs. Devon lifted her head to listen and .turned her eyes to the west where a narrow path zi-Eaued zi-Eaued its leiiKth up the hill to the boulevard. Into her tortured soul had come a belief sjnee the night before, be-fore, that Tony's "(Jloriest God," would send her man home. , Suddenly the sound of heavy footsteps foot-steps in the forest path brought her Fharply around. At last he was coming, com-ing, this man she loved, perhaps drunk, perhaps to beat her; but nevertheless nev-ertheless be was coming, ait? that was till she cared about. Uriah Devon slowly walked up th (ranu'plank in silence. "Where you been?" the woman forced herself to say. But instead of replying, he demanded: "Where's Tonnibel?" "I dunnp," was the answer. "A mln-. mln-. nte aixo she was over there not ten of your lei;s' jumps from here. "Where you been all this week?" He'd been on a terrible spree, she decided. He looked as if he had been drunk for days. That he had sonie-fhinpr sonie-fhinpr unusual on his mind, she knew, tind she knew, too, it was about Tonnibel, Ton-nibel, for hadn't he asked for the kid the moment he'd returned? "It's about time we was doing tilings, Ede." he said, turniiiff srimly. "I've waited as lone as I dared. Ileu'e pays 'Paul I'endlehaven hasn't an inch liwvay before he's in his coflin.' " Mrs. Devon's face grew deathly Tale. "What do you mean, honey?" she faltered. "We live like rats in a bole." took Dp the man, after a pause, "while if Tony was made to do her part, we'd he on easy street. That's what I mean. We've got to have money and lots of ir. Reggie's willing to marry the kid If you mind your business afterward. His marrvin' her ain't savin' he'll stick to her. Kilt we got to have boodle, luul we can't get it otilv through her." "lie shan't have Yr." the woman Paid, with bard tones anil flashing , eyes. "How many times 've I l'H to say It over to you? If that's the why will turn the old scow north and go back again. He's a bum," she went on. "A dude and a fooi and everything every-thing else that's had. He's a thief, too." Devon laughed. "So am I, Idle," said he. "So 're you' for that matter. If Iieggie knew that Tony was Paul Pendkhaven's kid. we wouldn't get one d n ceitf of her money. He snitches from the Pendle-liavens Pendle-liavens and his mother because he don't get cash enough other ways. A feller's got to have spendiu' money." "Pretty small pickin's." sneered F-ditli Devon. "Stealin' from folks almost al-most in the grave ain't my style. Keg-Kie's Keg-Kie's some second-story man, that' young duffer is." "You sneaked Paul's kid." taunted Devon. "He wouldn't be almost in his u't-ave now if you'd kept your tiamls otT'n Tony." The woman turned on him savagely, paying no heed to bis words. "Cot your blasted Peggie to steal rnough for us till from the Peiniielm-vens," Peiniielm-vens," she said. "Cod knows tti'-y've got it and lo spare. It's !"tter'n liandin' Tony over to 'int. He lives at i't'cdieliaven's, don't he?" "He won't do it," cut in Dev-n. "Pe'jgie ain't got the nerve to burn his lingers too deep. Paul PetKh Uiaven'd send him up for thai, if he caught iiini. My plan is to get Tony married -o liege, and before the lid's screwed flo; n on PendJeliaven's face, shove j tin- girl in hetuoin John Pendlehaven and his precious cousin, Kegg:e's mo; her, and then Pege and me gels Tony's money, see?" Ivlith shivered. "I hear what yen say," slit muttered, mut-tered, "and I 'spose I'll do it if you promise not lo let that pup hurt Tony when be gels her. , . . Pest let's wait another year before lalkin' marriage to her, though." ".Vol bin' doln'," rasped the man. "Tony's almost a woman, and she's ealln' her head oil'. After she's married mar-ried " "You two men'll rag the kid to death or do something worse to her," grit-led grit-led the woman. "Well, you won't! Kalher'n have ihat I'll ted her she ain't ours. I'll go right bold to Paul Pendlehaven and blurt him the truth. I'll do it today if you keep naggin' at me." Devon, studied her face, his own distorted dis-torted with rage. . "You'll do no such a thing, mad woman," he returned, running his tongue over his dry, cracked lips. "If you get me in a temper you'd better look out. Iteggie. knows Tonnihel's got rich folks, hut lie dun' know who they are. You spill the beans, by G d, and the lake for yours." The woman's gaze sought the sheet of blue water. "She'll grow a beard a mile long before be-fore I tell 'or," she said finally, bringing bring-ing her eyes back to his face. "Tell 'er yourself, and see how you like it !" There was a ring of revolt in her tones that brought an expression of surprise to the man's face, leaving it angrily, frowningly red. Hut the sound of a girl's voice on the hill brought him suddenly to his feet. "There she is, by G d," he cried abruptly. "Now If you want any more lovin's from me more'n that, if you leant to stay where I live, you got to do my will." "Uriah, honey, darlin'," cried Edith, "don't say that. I've always stuck by you." "Then keep a stiekin'," growled Devon. De-von. "For God's sake, if the brat ain't .yii . . - -' JLjiS "Go On and Finish, Me." lugged that pig clean up that pine tree '." Above them a giant pine tree lifted its head fur. above its fellows. Among its brandies the man and woman could plainly see the upper half of a girl's figure settled in the crotch of an outspreading out-spreading liuili. and clasped in two slender arms was the small guinea lib' She bobbed her head cravelv.' held up the animal and shook it at them. Tony, herself, little knew why in times of strife she sought refuge among these forest giants and came always to happiness. They were animated ani-mated beings in her mean little world and because she had showered idolatrous idola-trous love on them they, from thvir primeval grandeur, sent an answering spark of life' to her starved little soul. The sight of Tony further enraged Uriah, lie waved her iu. "Now tell her outright, and get it' over, Kile," he said, sitting down again. Ktjaeliing the canal boat, Tony stood looking at her parents. "Set down." growled Devon. Shifting the pig a little, siie dropped ,(lown on the deck. She always dreaded dread-ed these lalks with her father and mother. It usually meant they 'must mine on, or perhaps that a thrashing thrash-ing was coming her way. From under her long lashes she glimpsed first D(r von with his frowning brow, then at lengih let her gaze settle on the woman. wom-an. "I s'pose I been doin' something hellish," she ventured presently in a low lone. "Have I, Ialie?" "Nope, not this time, Tony." thrust in Devon. "Put we've got to tell you something. You're gettin' to be a woman, wom-an, Tonnibel. ami you got to do something some-thing for your mother and me." "I'm always wantin' to do something nice for you, Edie, darling," she said. looking at her mother. "Yap It out 'tuVk. sw eet and I'll ji;i:.;) to do It I" The woman began to cry softly. "Go on, Edie," said Uriah. "Why in h 1 are you blubberin' over a thing you can't help?" "Put T can iieip it," cried Edith. "And what's more I wil'. Hun away, bab, ami I'll have it out with your pop while you're gone." Devon readied forward and 'aid a strong detaining hand on the girl's arm. "It's Ibis." he got out between his teeth. "You got to get married. You been livin' on me long enough." The girl stared at him blankly. "Get married," she repeated dully. "Who'd marry a brat like me? Fin notion' but a kid yet, and I'm goin' to slay right here with my mother. See? I don't have to do I, mummy darlin'?" "Yttir ma's word ain't law m this boat," answered Uriah in an ugly tone. '".Mine is. though. Fire ahead, Edie, and tell the kid my will." -Mrs. Devon coughed spasmodically and toyed with the fabric o her skirt. A slender brown hand went up and closed over her twitching lingers. "I wouldn't marry any of the mutt you know, daddy," the girl li'urst out in desperation. "So get that notion clean out of your mind." Her face settled sullenly into little lines that pursed up the lovely young mouth, and Uriah Devon moved his feet nervously. Perhaps his task wasn't going to be so easy after all. "Kid," he said huskily, "if you don't do what you're told, I'll make you. You ain't too old to gad yet. And you'll be missin' one of the best lick-iu's lick-iu's you ever got if you mind what I ' tell you." The girl eyed him curiously, making a sidewise gesture with her head. "Who's the duffer you've chose out for me?" she asked at length. "You might as well tell me." "My friend, Iieggie." said Devon, bending over and staring at her. Tonnihel's mouth widened until two rows of teeth gleamed through the red of her lips. She made a wry- face. "Nptbin' like that for me eh, Edie?" Edith Devon was coining to a resolution resolu-tion that meant trouble for herself and for Tonnibel. "I ain't fought it all out with your daddy, kid," she sniflled weakly. "You get to the cabin and mend them old clothes." Uriah Devon laid his pipe beside him and uttered an oath. "You'll slay right here, brat," he gritted, "and pay heed to me." "Uriah,." screamed the woman, "if you go on with this, I'll tell -'er all I know. I swear I will. Tony, honey, Tony, baby, I I ain't " With a roarthe man sprang forward and in his effort to reach his wife knocked the girl flat on the deck. When Tonnibel rolled over and sat up, her mother was stretched along the boat rail, and Devon was standing ovei her. She lay so dreadfully still and limp that the girl scrambled to her feet. ' ' It . wasn't the same Tony who had come fearfully to them but a short period before with the little pig in her arms ; nor the same girl who had swung in the treetops making play fellows of the squirrels and answering the shrill calls of the forest birds. She seemed suddenly to have grown taller, and as she flung herself on Devon, the very strength of her little body sent him sprawling against the side of the cabin. "Now you killed her, d n you," she screamed. "If Von kick 'er I'll I'll " She dropped at the side of her mother, her threat broken in two by the awful pallor on the woman's wom-an's face. "Oh, God, mummy darlin', mummy darlin'," she ended in a hitter hit-ter cry. Growling in rage, Devcn turned on her. "Mebbe I have killed 'er," said he. "If so, I'll make a good jolKof it and finish you too." The girl rose before him. her eyes blazing into his, her little fists clenched together. "Folks that murder other people, Pappy Devon," she shot back, "get strapped in , a chair, and they get lightning run through 'em. Go on and finish up ! Go on and finish me!1 I'd rut her have you kiy me than make me marry that old Peggie." As if bis name had brought him out of Hie forest. Reginald P.rown walked down the Hogbole path. "My baby, Caroline Pendlehaven, Pendle-haven, aged six month." ' -' I (TO HE CU.TINUJiJJ. |