Under Fire: A Tale of New England Village Life

n himself. He supposed that he had accomplished something of his design before the party took place, but

ntment. He had overestimated his strength and importance, as boys of his stamp always do; moreover, he thought Nellie treated him very coolly, and it is just possibl

em treat his rival. The tables were fairly turned upon him, as he could not fail to see. But he had i

at, and so passed a great part of

so rudely and had not participated in any of the games, or other forms of amusement, he

twinkle in her eye, that another young gentl

ack, but this refusal of Nellie's was no straw to Matthew. It was rather a

e and strode sullenly down the street. At the first corner he turned up a by pa

ssing a rough looking boy, Tim Short by name. "You have owed me fo

" said Tim, with a discou

I'm going to have my money now. If you don't pay, I will get

ettle on

t before. Either give me something for se

he whole bill?

" replied th

. I will lend it to you.

agerly, and turned it over to his

hew, "let us go home; it

d him promptly into the street. When the two were quite alone

ed down to the saloon, but I was afra

my bill paid. How is it you are in

Vere replied nervously. "I want

, I should th

ever to mention wha

romi

oth into trouble i

d, is it, Matthew?" asked Tim, wi

im," replied De Vere, ignor

ll you have done for me,

lose to him as they turned

itation, "you know those tall oa

cave in the big r

at's the

ced to breathe fas

bove a whisper, "you know the bushes and

hey would," respo

some work t

not t

can get there, or

s too late now, Matt

" commanded De Vere in any

me what you are

t to get square with a fellow," responded M

you do it just

I cou

?" quer

on Matthew's nerves, but he was too prudent

ked young Short doggedly

Vere bitterly. "I'll show him

hoed Tim; and he stopp

ter get some good c

" replied Tim. "I know Fred Worthingto

n him when he is not expe

obligation to Matthew finally overcame his well founded fears of Fred Worthington's

ass on his way home from Dr. Dutton's. Although not far beyond the limits of the village, it was a lonely spot, with no hous

t, each grasping a heavy stick in his hand, ready to dart