Ward over the smiles of pretty Arline Blair; and latterly the high school
girl seemed to be giving young Morrison more than his share of her
company.

That afternoon about four o'clock, as Paul and two of his chums were
passing along one of the side streets of the town they came upon a scene
that caused a sudden halt.

The blustering voice of Ted Slavin was what first drew their attention;
and it seemed to come from around the next corner. Then followed a
quavering voice, pleading in its tone.

Paul looked at his friends, and his brow darkened.

"It's old Mother Martha, the market woman who sells things in her little
stall around here. And some of those mean skunks are plaguing her, like
they often do, she tells me, stealing her apples, and laughing at her,
because she's lame with the rheumatism, and can't chase after 'em!" said
William, who happened to be one of the trio brought to a halt so
suddenly.

"Come on, then; we can't stand that!" exclaimed Paul.

The boys hurriedly turned the corner, to find that what William had
suggested seemed to be the actual truth.

Ted and a follower were hovering near the poor old woman. The fact that
Ted was contentedly munching a red apple told that he had already made
his hawk-like descent on the stand of the market woman, and was now
seeking to distract her attention so that his companion might also swoop