The state herald., 1892-06-03

ness parting 10 let her pass. One
week from that night l visited tho
tree again. There wore two graves
under it
Then came my school days and then
my days at college. had studied
hard and had read many books but
was Bronson. l wore my oath In
an inner pocket Of my undershirt
next to my heart and / carried the
knife no matter whittier went
had no particular aim in life-that Is,
with regard to what calling should
follow. Everything was subservienl
to the fultlllment OF my vow. A voice
from the grave was constantly sound.
ing In my ears. wrote to friond who
lived near my old homo and asked Il
Sam Olney were still alive. He ans.
wered that Olney had long ago loft
the neighborhood and that no one
know whittier he had gone.
Ono night when l was within
twenty-five miles OF tho town whore
] was to settle ms a lawyer u furiou,
rain storm burst upon me. There
was no shelter to bo found; and as /,
was more dangerous to turn aside in.
to tho woods than to stay In tho road
! continued to fight my way though
the road was exceedingly rough.
remember that my horse stumbled
violently. was in n house. The
girl noticing my look OF inquiring as.
tonishmont said:
I'VE found you on tho road where
your horse had fallen and brough,
you hero. That was night boforo last.
Do you feel very badp"
II don't feel very well. answered
Has doctor seen me9"
Yes"
"Did he say wps badly hurtp"
'Yes. Several OF your ribs md
your right leg arc brokeun
She was lovely creature. He,
beauty made me forget my injuries,
and she was Sam oluoy's daughter.
The days wero long, and was now
able to walk. but did not go hunt.
Ing. did not want to SEQ that gun.
Once 1 thought II will take it on,
and kill him with it" but then
thought that tho knife would 10 bet.
ter would inspire more terror whom
his startled eyes should catch liz
CLEAN OF death.
could not tell tho girl that loved
her, for in attempting 10 caress her
verify believe that should have
choked her to death. Had my VOW
maddencd me to insanity?
One evening said TO myself" TO.
morrow morning l will kill him.
Early at morning l will 20 into hi,
room and awake hun with n startling
exclamation. hal read my oath
over and over OF late-had gazed n,
the paper while sitting in tho woods.
although every word OF it was written
on my heart
can never forget that night dc
not want TO forget it. | sat on loG
in the woods. The day had been colo
and cloudy. suddenly became aware
OF sweetest and soitest music.
looked up startled. Snow was falling
on the dead leaves Long sat there
soothcd and softened by that music.
oh, what an appeal on tho SOUL
returned 70 the house. Everything
was quiet went to my room and sal
down in the dark. still heard the
music OF the snow. My Godm
suddenly thought 'am / losing my
mindP' l heard someone outside.
looked out OF tho window, and saw
Mary walking In the snow. .feathercd
darkness carrying light high above
her head. thought OF my mother
and in gasp brcathcd OF Mary
How like an angel, the darkness,
dividing TO lot her pass"
Il cannot find him." heard hel
say TO herself when sho stepped int
tho hallway. separated by u thin par.
tition from the window where stood.
She had been carrying tho light look
ing for mo.
lay down but did not try TO sleep.
Would l keep my oathP Yes at day
light. l dozcd of to sleep though
tried not TO. and when ! awoko my
cheeks wcro wot.
Il will keep my oath though IL tea,
my own heart out" said MS ! rose
l walked up and down tho room.
softly for the old man slopt In the
next room. sat down mt tho window
and looked out Tho clouds wcr,
gone tho moon was shining but
still heard tho music OF tho snow. The
fakes warm instead OF cold. seemed
TO DO falling on my heart ! would
not yield. closed my eyes 10 shu,
out tho brightness OF tho moon. and
then fancy drew picture before mo
my mother and old Sam Olnoy's
daughter carrying lights high above
their honds looking for me.
% father" ! 'groancd. sinking
upon my knees 'tako bnck the awful
paper you bado mo sign. | cannol
keep my oath. father. II you arc in
heavcn"-l shuddered- III you arc In
heaven or any spirit world. and have
influenza you may toll lhs power
thsre 70 sssA ne - an sadlcss tos-
nent b,. Y s....aot commit nurdse.
You trisd 70 kill this nsu-yeu
sesght him cad snapped your gun nj
him. and then no killed you will
destroy tho oath"
put down my knifo-I had hold |,
all highland thrust my hand Into
my bosom. Tho paper was gone
just thon heard II mumbling sound
In tho adjoining room. l crcpt TO tho
door opened II Just n little and listen
cd. Tho old man was praying.
'Oh God" ho said. Il have sworn
TO kill them nil. but l cannot Hero
before mo IL his oath" | started nnd
thon pcepcd into tho room. Daylight
was coming through his window, and
on tho loor beside him. Nhoro no
knolt thero lny piece OF pnpor
20 God, tho old man continued
'hs came hero under mn assumed
name. and whllo hc sat In tho woods
heard him swear that ho would kill
mo this morning. Then | thought
that ! would kill him. but | cannot.
My daughter loves him, sho sought
him last night TO bog him 10 no AWAY.