The Purple Parasol

ot merry with smiles, were following him with an anxious look like that of a faithful dog. Sometimes he came upon her suddenly and found h

to confide in him, but his simple heart could not find courage

Gene and Jud had met. One day when she saw 'Gene gallop past the schoolhouse, coming from the direction of the farm, she dismissed the school ea

ing her husband. In her waking hours she dreamed of the dreadful boast he had made. One nig

y as children. Reaching the little creek which ran through a corner of Justine's land, not far from the house, they sat down to watch the antics of two sportive calves. Peace was in their hearts, quiet in the world about them. She was like a delight

sp his arm with the grip of a vise. A glare

he whispered. "He's com

urt you while I'm here. Let him come. D

g rapidly and glancing covertly toward the house. I

ease do! I don't want

he's doing in our pasture," growle

find the way out, Jud. Come to the house-quick

to. I'm going to find out what

you please come in, Jud?" she implored; but his eyes were not for her. They were glaring

black eyes shot fire toward Sherrod, but turned away when they met the wild, dark eyes of the girl. He had not been drinking and he was truly surprised by the meeting. There was a stillness for a

vagely. Justine's hand fell tremblingly from his rigid arm and she looked a mute

ugh his teeth. "I'll git off yer place, if you say so. I didn't think

xplain. Get ou

oaned the gi

y. I'll git off yer place. If it wasn't fer you, thou

ou coward enough to take that?" cried Jud, taking a step for

hanging-let go, I say!" She was stunned by the first angry words h

alf whispered. "Jud, Jud,

time as any other. Go to the house, dear-it won't do for you to see it," said her husband, ver

, don't fight him, Jud!" She threw herself between the men. Crawley had not moved from his tracks, but the wild glare of the beast was fig

emanded Jud, over his shoulder. "O

off and he was rolling up his s

WLEY WAS ROLLING

ht fer you to see us fight. I didn't want to, remember, but, der

ud. "You've annoyed Justine and you ain't

her, if she'd let me. You took her from me an' we've got to have it

Oh, how I hate you!" cried th

throw it up to me! But I'll make

ady to fight?" cried Jud, advancing. She made a clutch at

es to the house,"

e," cried Jud impatientl

said mechanically. "If he

d his teeth a

't right, Jud, 'n you know it. L

o see me lick you! She's a brave girl; you needn't worr

tn't to hear. I don't want her to hear me cuss

blow landed on his neck and he went to the ground. Justine saw and her heart throbbed with joy. As the man fell s

but they were tears of fury. With a bull-like rush he was upon Sherrod. The girl heard the renewed straggling and turned her face in alarm, still clinging to the tree. F

odies. Both were well muscled-one clean, wiry, and like a tiger, the other like a Greek Hercules. One had the advantage of a quick brain an

llowed them to land, so he avoided a close fight, dodging away and rushing in with the quickness of a cat. He was landing light blows constantly on the face of his foe, and was escaping punishment so surprisingly well that a co

ustine," panted Jud

avagely. "You'll see!" And th

dogs, their rushing feet were like the trampling of cattle, in their faces murder alone was dominant. She prayed that some one might come to separate them. In her terror she even feared that her husband might win. Jud the victor-a murderer! If only she could call fo

ted lip, but his great muscles retained their power. Jud was gasping. The girl began to see in his dulling eyes that the tide was turning. An unconscious shrie

hroat was in the clutch of a terror so grea

shoulders and waist, and a strong leg locked the loser's knee. Jud bent backward. They swayed and writhed in that deadly embrace, Jud striking savagely upon the unprotected face of his foe, 'Gene for

d into his face; the big tree in front of him seemed suddenly to whirl upside down; something was spinning in his head. As they turned he caught a glimpse of Justine still standing at the tree. He tried to call out to her to help him-to save

she saw the agonized face of her husband, her life, her world. Wit

Ge

ood-shot eyes, for the first time, sought the obje

m!" he panted

t her forces were benumbed. The look in her eyes brought the conqueror to his senses. His eyes, still lo

from him, half lying upon the grass, his heaving body cl

ew herself beside

ud!" she wailed. "D

anted fury in his closing eyes, a pallor crept over his swarthy face. For the first time he looked into the wide eyes in the strang

a hunted beast he looked about for some place in which to hide, for some way to escape. "They'll hang me! T

ath him and he dropped helplessly to the ground, his eyes again falling upon the f

iver on Jud's lips, a convulsive twitching of the jaws; his ears caught the

the convulsed form of the girl from the brea

row louder and faster, a heavy body struck him and something like a steel trap tightened on his neck.

but a short struggle; he overpowered her and held her to the ground. She looked up at him w

see he's alive? I'll help you bring him to-I won't tech him again! Be quiet an' we'll have

her husband was breathing. In his nervous haste, inspired by fear that Jud might die before he could return,

st growing white and great heaving gasps came from the contracted throat. 'Gene dashed the water in his face, only to receive from her a cry of a

ear them, but 'Gene Crawley's did, and his face grew black with jealousy. He could not tear himself away; he stood there, rigid, listening to phrases of love for another that mingl

ne. Hope Jud'll not--" he began

see your face again as long as I live!" she cried. "Don't stand there

amed of his nakedness. Then he picked up Jud's coat and threw it to her, feeling a desire, in spite of all, to help her in some way. She did not glance toward him, and he saw the reason. Jud's eyes were conscious and were looking up into

im to the house f

him and shielding Jud with her body. "Don't you d

rage escape

le after me. Well, lookee here! All the constables in Clay township cain't take me, an' I won't run from 'em, either. I'll kill the hull crowd! Go on an' have me arrested if you want to. You c'n tell that h

ut another word. From afar, long afterwards, he saw her assist Jud to