The Re-Creation of Brian Kent

r Schoolhouse Hill, the next morning, Judy

ll crop, so the boys would come when it was most convenient; and, in the meantime, Judy would continue to dig from day to day all that were needed for the kitchen in the li

river moved in stealthy silence,--a dull thing of mystery, with only here and there a touch of silvery light upon its clouded surface. The cottonwoods and willows, on the opposite shore, were mere dreams of trees,--gray, formless, and wei

er-changing moods of Nature were without meaning. With her basket in hand, she went down to the lower end of the

haps it was some vague memory of Auntie Sue's talk, the night before, that prompted her; perhaps it was some instinct, indefinite and obscure;-

ressed amazement and fear. Her eyes were wild and excited. She looked carefully about, as if for dangers that might be hidden in the fog. Once, she opened her mouth as if to call. Half-rising, she started as if to run to the house. But, presently, cur

to the certain destruction waiting at Elbow Rock, still rested with its bow grounded on the shore, against which the eddying water had pushed it

so still that she could not guess whether it was living or dead. Fearfully, she noted that there were no oars in the boat, nor gun, nor fishin

the bank, ready for instant flight, she threw the clod into the water near the boat. The still form in the boat made no movement following the splash. Selec

with a grin of satisfaction, at the result of her inv

ck the man on the shoulder, with the result that he stirred uneasily, and, muttering something which Judy could not hear, half-turned

-that's all--dead drunk. I'll sure fetch him out of hit." And then, grinning with malicious delight, she proceeded to pe

low, old-young face that grinned down at him from the t

Judy's grin vanished. "I sure 'lowed

lt if I disappoint you. I feel as bad about it as you do. However, I don't think I am so much aliv

near not bein' ary bit

the man, i

rried you-all on down ter Elbow Rock, 'stead of bein' ketched in the ed

the fog, muttered to himself, "I can't

udied interest. Then, tossing the bottle into the river

any place around here where I can buy a drink? I

r you-all ter git ary licker here. Where'd you-all come from, anyhow? How'd you-al

-important matter before us for consideration is,--how can I get a drink? I MUST have a drink, I tell

id Judy, with critical interest. "You-all sure mus

pted her: "Who

; "she's just Auntie Sue--tha

then, while he raised himself, unsteadily, to his feet, he continued, in a muttering undertone: "You don'

n unsteady weakness, combined to land him half in the water and half on the muddy bank where he struggled helplessly, and, i

under his shoulders and literally dragged him from the water. When she had further helped him to

at; but, now, as he stood dripping with water and covered with mud, there was a touch of the ridiculous in his appearance that brought a grin to the

d the sallow, old-young face of the girl, who was laughing at him, a gleam of sardonic humor flashed i

uty," she retorted in her shrill, drawling monotone. "But, I kin tell you-all one thing, mister: Hit was God-A'mighty Hisself

man. His voice, even, for the moment, lost its huskiness, and vibrated with sincere feeling as he steadied himself; and, bow

I had," she retorted, somewhat molli

and fitting that it evidently could not be." And with this c

ter say that you-all wa

asped: "But, look here, girl! do you think I'm going to stand like this all day indulging in idle

, helped him to climb the steep way. A part of the ascent he made on hands and knees. Several times he wo

, pointing. "But I don't reckon as h

ith Judy still supporting him, stumble

why Judy did not return with the potatoes. The dear old lady paused a moment, startled at the presence o

, did not notice Auntie Sue until, feeling Judy stop, he also pa

w, sweet voice filled with gentle con

ent and rebuke on his haggard face, the man

the eddy," Judy explained to Auntie Sue. To the man, she said: "This here is

tranger;--"My dear man, you are wringing wet. You must have been in the river. Come, come right

uttering hands raised in a gesture of imploring protest;--while the eyes that looked up at the saintly coun

tying horror, A

ps and fingered his quivering chin in a vain effort at self-control; and then, as he looked up at

ue turned he

mentary control of his shattered nerves. Drawing himself erect and standing steady and tall before her, he raised a hand to hi

This young woman should have explained. You see, when she spoke of 'Auntie Sue,' I assumed, of course,--I mean,--I expected to find a na

rly, "there is nothing to pardon. Please d

. It is not that my clothes are unpresentable,--it is I, myself, who am unfit to

ue reached his side and placed her

ir? I shall never forgive mys

sake, madam, don't touch me! Let me go! You must! I--I--am not myself!

"My pap, he was that way when he done smashed me up agin the wall, when I was not

e ground. His head drooped forward. His shoulders sagged. His whole body se

ue's voice rang

an ha

me," she

his is sheer nonsense, my boy. You wouldn't hurt me. Why, you couldn't! Of course, you are not yours

failed;--his abused nerves refused to bear more,--and he sank,--a pitiful, coweri