little pauper" drove
him nearly beside himself.

Pert thought it wise to spend most of her time in her room next day,
until the first burst of his anger should have subsided.

As Checkers drove home the following evening, he was met by Tobe, the
hired man, about a mile from the house. "Hello, Tobe," he called,
"what's up?"

"Thar's hell out, Mr. Checkers," said Tobe.

"Has old Barlow been up here?'

"He ain't gone two hours."

Checkers smiled. He was glad to know the worst. "I suppose I 'm not
very popular with Arthur?"

"He swars he 'll fill ye full o' lead. I overheern the hull
conversation atween 'em, and I 'lowed I 'd come down and warn ye. Mr.
Kendall and Aunt Deb 's gone to Little Rock, and won't be back afore
to-morrow night."

"Thank you, Tobe; get in and ride."

"Wal, till we gits in sight o' the house; but don't you 'low you 'd
better go back?"

"No; I'll go on and face the music."

"Thar never was nawthin' but trouble come o' foolin' with women,
anyhow," said Tobe. "I 've had four on 'em in my time, and they've
worn the soul-case off'n me."

"Four!" exclaimed Checkers.

"Yes, I 've had four. My first woman spent me out o' house and home,
and then run away--I was glad to get shet o' her. The second un I jest
nachally could n't live with, she hed sech a pizen-bad temper; and I
've had two others to die on me. I 've worked like a nigger airnin'
'em money fer cloes, and doctor's bills and sich, and not one on 'em
but what 'ud claim she wa'n't well treated. The trouble with women is
that a man takes and treats 'em so well when he's a-courtin' of 'em,
that after they 're married, plain, ordinary, every-day treatment seems
like cruelty to 'em."

This was a phase of the woman question which had never before occurred
to Checkers; but the weight of suspense at his heart prevented his
encouraging Tobe to further reminiscence.

As he drove into the door-yard, Arthur came out of the house, trembling
and pale with anger and excitement.

"Hello, Arthur?" called Checkers, cheerily.

"Traitor, hypocrite," was the answer; "how can you look me in the face?"

"Oh, get used to it."

"Ha! you make a jest of it, do you?"

"Of what, your face?"

Arthur grew livid. "It's easy and safe for you to taunt a man who is
just recovering from a weakening sickness," he said. "If it were n't
for my father, I 'd shoot you like the cur that you are, if I hanged
for it."

Checkers jumped to the ground.