The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-09-22

| replied, softly, as she looked fondly upon
| him.
This, however, did not appease him.
| THAT brother of yours was the cause of it
I'm comm to see him tonight"
Her smile faded and her face grew pale.
With trembling lips she asked:
Are you comm alone?"
"Do you think I'd bring anybody7"
81 don't think you'll find Grip"
II will If you've got confidence In me-"
"Well, what If / have?"
you won't tell Grip Pm comm for sup.
per-"
They had been standing in the mud in the
middle of the road, but both were SO earnest
that neither thought of the ludicrous side on
the situation. She looked steadily at him
for moment after his declaration that he
meant to come for supper. Had he caught
her, she would have doubted him, and would
have said that she would tell Grip to expect
him. But she saw he was still angry, and
was asking no favors, although he was de-
termined to meet Grip if possible.
"Well," she said, deliberately, eff you
come you needn't be surprised to find plates
only for two"
"rhat'n be enough if they're for Grip and
me-"
With that he left her and went splashing
through the mud toward Hartford.
Leona was angry, thoroughly SO, and
called after him: 81 s'pose you'll change
your clothes and come in your Sunday suit.
If you and Grip eat together you might need
your good clothes to be buried in"
Leona had a high temper, and when it was
aroused her tongue was reckless.
Jockey Todd did not reply, norlook around.
Leona returned to the house, called herself a
fool for running into the mud to meet Jockey
Todd, and resolved to inform Grip that he
could expect visitor for supper. But the
day passed and Grip did not come home
She began to be uneasy about him, fearing
that he and Jockey Todd had met. She had
not begun to get supper yet when she saw
Jockey Todd coming up the road. She was
so angry at him that she did not laugh when
she noticed that he wore his Sunday suit.
Something serious was impending, and she
wished she could warn Grip; but it was too
late, for there he was, talking to Jockey Todd
at the gste. She had not seen her brother
approach the house.
Grip was laughing, but Jockey Todd's face
was dark.
"You had no business to play me that
trick, Grip"
"The company can stand it" said Grip.
He was reckoning on Jockey Todd's love
for Leona.
Leona went to open the door and could
hear all that was said.
"ButifI report it, the company won't stand
it."
"But you won't report it," said Grip, still
"Mebbe will and mebbe won't"
Grip put his hand to his hip pocket and
tapped the but of revolver. eff you tell the
company l stole the glycerine, III put a hole
in you" Grip had ceased laughing and as
sumed a serious air.
Leona ran down the steps. 'What ara
you two fghtin' about?" she asked
There was no reply,
what is it. Hiram Todd?" She turned
fercely on him.
"Grip's got to quit moonlightin', he an
swered.
81 guess he'll do as he pleases about that"
she said, sharply.
"Well, all I've got to say is that I've
warned Grip"
At this Leona's eyes flashed, and she shook
her fist in Jockey Todd's face. "If you tell on
Grip, hope he will kill you. Now you can
go your way, and I'll go mine. You're
coward to come here and threaten my kin"
"Well, you've got my word for it, Grip.
Quit now, when you've got chance. Re-
member the glycer'n,"
Remember this, Jockey Todd" Grip re-
piled, and laid the revolver across his arm.
81 will, and get one for myself"
Jockey Todd turned his back on the broth
er and sister, and started toward Hartford.
''Sbe never was as pretty as when she was
shakin' her fist at me. l think she could
make life interestin', but have to give her
up"
Thus unused Jockey Todd as he went his
way in obedience to her command.
The brother and sister-she in no amiable
mood toward him-went into their house,
and soon sat down to supper There were
plates for two and for some reason, when
she was washing them after the meal, Leona's
eyes became moist.
The next day Jockey Todd went to the
company's office and resigned his position,
Inent that he was afraid the glycerine would
soon number him among it's victims If he
did not stop handling it. A few days after
wards he got work as a pumper on lease on
the hill just above Leona's home. He could
sit in the engine-house door and see her NOV
ing about the yard.
One day Grip came home with the news
that Jockey Todd had quit shooting wells
and gone to pumping them. Leona stared
ct Grip moment, and when he smiled said,
You needn't think he give up his job because
he was afraid of you. He couldn't stay with
the company and not tell on you"
"Ohl he was afraid though, said Grip, with
an air of bravado.
''Some of these nights you'll find out that
Hiram Todd don't fear anything. Mind
what say, Grip"
Grip only laughed.
When Jockey Todd took up his abode in
the engine house on the Krohm lease he was
surprised that the silence of the woods after
night was agreeable to him. He found COM
fort in the quiet that.was broken only by the
stroke of the pumping engine and the rattle
of the rods. These sounds were so regular in
repetition that he grew to consider them a
part of the stiffness. The flaming gas jet
threw at the within of the wind changeful
shadows across the cleared space in which the
derrick stood. The trees nearest him in the
woods were distinctly brought out
by the Pickering light, and when it bent be-
fore the breeze it gave him glimpses of grim
trunks that in the darkness when the fame
stood still, but beyond was the dense night of
the deep forest. he got into the habit OF
watching this change of light and shadow,
and of gazing at the impenetrable dark
ness.
"Leona acted accordin' to her light, but she
couldn't see any further into my heart than
can into the woods. Maybe can show it to
her some time as plain as day."
Thus he unused upon Leona, and waited for
the time to come when she would fully UNDER
stand him.
Leona began to regret her hasty action, as
day after day went by and no harm came to
Grip. He was still free and hght-hearted,
while her spirits dropped, and she went about
her work in a listless, preoccupied manner.
Often in the evening she stood in the door
and looked up at the gas jet. In the distanceit
was only point of light, but she knew that
under it Jockey Todd was sitting, and be-
tween him and her the night interviewed,
At last the sense of the injustice she had
done him was 30 heavy upon her that she re-
solved to right it. One evening, just after
the night fell, she threw a light shawl over
her head and started up the hill. She knew
the way, and did not need the guidance of the