The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-01-16

that might lead to the naturalization OF
the unfortunate being. The remains
were conveyed to Arcott and, after the
coroners inquest which, under tile
circumstances, was but q mere form
the bones were inferred in the burial
grounds.
No headstone marks the unknown's
resting place. Only a mound, now
covered with snow, tells where the dead
one sleeps,
Il is New Years eve. Comfortable
fires glimmer in the homes Of Arcott.
II the glow of the rudy blaze, many
All anxious face is turned toward the
story-teller rs the quaint and almost
unreasonable incidents are related. The
frozen Sacondage lies like q silvery
serpent, winding in and about the cedar
clumps, and ragged pine and hemlock-
clad hills.
In the one and only hotel Of which
Arcott boasts, the sound of the violin
swept by the rude bow of some profess
sor Of the "Old Zip Coon" Money
Musk" Or Virginia Reel" order is
heard. III
Festive lads and rosy-cheeked lasses
are ushering in the new year to the time
Of "balance at the head, y FIRST two for
ward, Swing at the head" and the
rest of the merry refrain.
The clang Of the grim old clock down
j the bar. room, as it peals forth the
midnight hour, falls upon the ears of
Winders Forney, tossing sleeplessly on
his bed in the room over the merry
makers.
Course the pumpkins! Will they
never cease their orgies! I cannot
sleep. Perhaps the midnight air will
cool the fever of my brain" he uttered.
Rising, lie dressed himself, passed down
the stairway, and out of doors.
The shadows Of the tall pines, stunt
ed cedars and rugged hemlocks are
sharply defined upon the glittering
crust. The water-wheel is silent and
%motionless. From its paddles long
points of crystalline ice, cleaning in the
moonlight Like huge daggers, hang
down to the frozen stream.
The creak of his boot heels sound
dismal)y upon the chill air as he crosses
the narrow bridge. A shudder as of
ominous fear passes over him as his
eyes greet the dull, wintry landscape
lying before him, with the snow-capped
mountains, huge monks meath gigantic
cowls stretching away far into the dis
lance. d
SITS q bitter cold night" he utters,
drawing his coat-collar more closely
about his neck as he turns into q road
way leading toward the left.
This Is the road to the Arcott Gene
teryl What can be Winders Forney's
mission in this direction, and at this
strange hour?
He reaches the rude stone wall
erected above the city of the dead.
The moonlight streaming down upon
his face, discloses features strangely
drawn, tense, hard, and cruel with lines
Of passion.
1T did reach you, James Bodine!
One year ago tonight you stole her
from me. You were rich, l poor. 1
swore q terrible vengeance against you
then and--it reached you'll You went
on your way rejoicing; your heart was
warm with love and the smiles OF the
woman you robbed meof; my heart was
scorched by the flames of bitter, dead
ly hatel You tracked the dear among
the cedars; mine was human game! We
met. Hot words passed. You gave
me the lie. One thrust of the
knife and the rich, the hand
some, the successful wooer was
food for beasts and birds. They
did their work we'll; for not.
a trace of the knife-thrust through
Van \. hao,t ,,nr,n.ooJ ~ ko11 H. 49,. r
our meeting among the shadowy cedars.
The poor simpletons over there, who
make merry tonight, little know of the
tale I could tell. Her heart will not
always throb for the absent one. I will
go to her. will tell her that your were
false, and that you left her for a more
beloved one. In my eyes she will see
that warmth of passion which shall en-
kindle a new love in her heart. And
then, then / shall win and wear her.
I will bask in her smiles Gull the sweet
kisses Of her lovely lips-while the chill
blasts Of winter and warm summer
rain sweep over your unnamed grave
here in the Wilderness"
The moon sinks behind a cloud, and
the shadows in the forest recesses grow
denser, a the imprisoned man, demon
like misses the hot words from between
his clenched teeth. Shaking his fist
toward the snowy mound under a stunt
ed cedar, he turned upon his heel and
retraced his steps.
He reaches the hotel, passes the
threshold and-a pair of steel handouts
encircle his wrists. The sound of the
violin is hushed; the females crowd
back to the wall as The men drag Wind
ers Forney into the dance hall.
friends, there stands the murderer
of the man whose skeleton was found
up in the cedars last summer!" The
speaker was old Stephen Arcott. He
stepped forward and pointed his finger
towards Forney.
Gentlemen, there must be somem mis-
take"
There can be no mistake!n broke in
the gruf old Englishman.
why do You accuse me?"
You have accused yourself"
1T is an infamous lie! harshly inter
rupted Forney.
ibid You not go from the hotel, cross
the bridge andpass on down tothe GEM
etery? Did you not stand without the
wall bounding the sacred spot, and hurl
your blasphemous ~imprecations at the
bones Of your victim?"
aMy God! man, what are YOU" cried
Forney, covering back. His very soul
seemed to revolt in horror from the
stern.faced accuser, the pittiless agent
of justice.
"Winders Forney. I followed YOU.
I hid among the shadows; and 1
heard every word that fell from your
lips. You stand here q self-accused
prisoner of the law. When you are
tried for the murder of James Bodina.