The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-06-13
SWINGING IN THE DUSK.

over tho hills black clouds we're hanging.
and dogwood trees. still green OF leaf and
white OF blossom, onms down the tumbling
stream. The air was warm and heavy. and
the woodpecker that 6ew over ths bottom
Asld appeared likoly TO fall ere be could
reach the dead tree that stood 1t the edge
Of the clsaring. Reports from up the river
gave exciting acc0unts OF another swell
coming down from the mountains. and In
She n%eiahborhood OF Hickory Flat there
Was nothing talked OF but tbs disss-
ters OF the food. A yoke OF
oxen belonging to old Matt SpraRue had
been dumped ont Of . lot BY the sudden
eavine Of ! bank and whirlsd away. and II
was sxoitiagly reported that . fine brood
mare. the property Of Squire Nickelson,
had been washed against . tree and killed.
The Hstchis was : treachsrous stream, and
Ihs people had boon brought up In the be-
lief that II could be guilty Of almost snv
trick known TO the southern tributaries Of
the Mississippi. but NO ono had been sufioi-
emily sohoolsd TO suspect this stream capa-
BILE of 20 broadspread . disaster a. was
now threatened.
Lit Halpi1, . ha.d-wsrkinR fellow who
had married one Of the Laniss girls, had
lust completed . one story frame house in
Che second bottom Of tho Hatobis. AZ the
time OF HE marriage no was . hired mar on
farm; and = hired man In that part Of the
country 10 scarcely . Ward AeAllisteS Of
society. But tho knowledge that there was
prejudice against him did mot seem 70 lie
With much weight upon the mind Of LIZ
Hslpin. He said hat lie wasn't much Ut a
--sA--.. ~--av.dnnIavn that ho N3dnSa
care 10 rice about Of Sundays wearing
hish-hseled boots that wore too
small for him-and this the
soeial life Of Hickory Flat inpe.-
ieusly dsmandsd-hs simply sought an
opportunity TO earn . living. And no did
earn 9 living; Not only his. he won the
munity In an accidental way and married
her. Ho bought q piece Of land in the rich
second bottom and had just put away his
tools, after completing bis modest house,
whom the Hatchis began ito threatening
"AMis," hs said, speaking 10 his wife. II
believe The old Hatch is going 70 try to
'gouge MS out. Up a little WAY from here IL
Il digging pretty sha ply into the bank"
"Oh. hore not. Lit" She was standing
on tho veranda.
80 do /, bat that won't keep the water
U0NAs IA AORU WOIAVA y ~ sA1
wouldn't be ons-third a. much trouble in
ths world"
"Thspa true" she admitted; and after q
moments silence. she asked:
do you think ws can do a~nythinp7"
.bo asi him. .nn'a aAl,i. = sal. sS'h h, .f fna ii. ,He yas
what We might do. We might tie the house
with . cable rspe. 80 that if the water do .
come we'll be anchored."
"Oh, shat would he charming she cried.
"But will II hoat?" she asked, becoming
%, ious.
"Of oourss II will. I will 70 and get that
we'll rope and fx the thing right now"
The rope was found to be long enough.
He attaohed ono end 10 the strong under
Shining OF the house. and the other end he
made fast to = large cottonwood tree. leay-
ing = play of about fifty feet. He smiled at
frsakish river should take . turn in his di-
seotion II would find him prepared. Just
then = man rode mp.
'Lit,' he called. "the water 10 abont TO
sweep old man Potts from the face OF the
earth. We must 40 down and holp save his
cattle. Here, hop up behind me-"
This admitted of no protest, nor OF n
moments questioning. Lit jumped upon
. stump and sprang upcn the horss.
"Allie," he called. looking back, stay In
the house and you'll be all right. There's
NO danger, anyway. but stay in the house."
- Ao'SV oWWys ~
went about her work. The clouds over the
hills grew darker but the sun shone ON the
house, and in the brightness there was 80
blithe a promise that the danger would
pass that the wife Lummsd a tune az she
worked. Suddenly there came q roar and q
jar. She ran out upon the vsrnnda. The river
had ont through the field. The house was
afoat. The current was swift. and the rope
was taut. There was no way 10 reach land,
and the woman. feeling that she was safe.
sat down to await the return Of her hus-
band. some one called her, and looking
up she saw . man standing near the trse at
she other end OF the rope
"Where's Lit?" the man asked.
"Gone to help your father save bis cattle.
And why don't you 90 TO help. too. You
ought to be ashamed Of Yourself. Toss"
Tbs man looked about him.. yes" he
said. but there are other things in this
life that . person might be ashamed of.
know people that ought to be ashamed of
something WORSE than not saving cattle.
! know . woman who promised TO marry a
man and didn't"
Go OF away, Jobc / don't want to have
any words with vou.'
Don't your But / reckon you will"
III Lit we're here you wouldn't talk to mo
shat way. I'm going to tell him when he
comes home"
The water was go loud In itr roar that
che had to lift her voice.
"Do ron TsokonY' he shouted. "When
do yon expect to see him agaiu?"
"heli be home pretty soon-too soon for
your good"
DO you think SOP"
~ had something to shoot with you
sho1ldn's stand there and torment me-"
DO you reekon? You ought to have
kept your gun at home instead Of letting
folks borrow 10. Say, after you fooled mo
! told You that you'd be sorry. didn't IL"
II didn't fool you, Tobe."
Eyes. yoa did; you said you'd marry me.'
well. but ! told you shortly nfts1vards
that l couldn't. That wasn't fooliur you.,'
WASN'T II? l think il was, and / told
you that you'd be sorry. Yen could't keen
your void. but Pm going TO show you that
! can keep mine. Tho waters swift ONT
there. Amt it?"
what do you mean to dor she orici in
alarm.
"I'm going to keep my word"
"Tobe. Please go on away"
II will-Tll GO one way and You'll no m.
ether: The waters pretty swift ous there.
"Whst are you doing2' abe shriek.d.
'For Gods sake don't cut that rope. Tohsp,
The house went &hirling down the
CHAPTER II.
In q remote community. near the line OF
ths Indian territory. n rude ooutt sat in
session. A prisoner. tied with = rops. eat
ON Abench. He had come into the neigh
harh00A aix montha hafnps and hnA, hiIl~1