The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-04-08


Then he laughed to himself and arose
and stealthily followed John Sinclair
Once out of sight of the house, he
picked up club and then increased
his gait.
! When john Sinclair reached the
fork OF the river road a quarter of a
mile below the Britain farm. he paus-
ed and looked at the hill rising alb
ruptly from the river valley.
I've noticed mothers cough was
bad" said he. "Guess I'll go up in
Rock paster n get some slippery elm
Poor mother! She's he'd considerable
ter worry her lately. He followed an
old path leading down through the
field and on and up hill that grew
rough and rocky as he ascended. The
rising moon looked luridly through
the thin clouds, and stealthy shadows
began to stalk beside him
But he did not see the human shad
ow following. The slippery-elm tree
surmouhted ledge at the summit of
the hill. An open fssure was in the
huge mass of rock rearing up from
the depths below, At the base of the
rock was an entrance like an open
door. The rock had been rent from
top to bottom in the tragedy of some
past era and the fssure opened into
the cave below. He gathered his
bark and then sat down upon the
edge Of the abyss to rest himself. The
moon rose higher in the heavens, a
mass of golden light sifted thro lgh
the trees and down into the mouth of
the ledge.
1T looks like Dora's hair" said he,
and light from within illumined his
face. Still he did not hear the man
approaching, now so near and with
weapon raised. There was a great
force behind. short, sharp pain, and
a wild descent, The rapture had not
left his face when he fell
William Sinclair sat on his doorstep
late that night. He had had his own
way and lie felt placid In his over
flowing egotism. he even felt certain
pity for his sen.
Poor fellow" said he. Johns
we'll meaning 'nough, but he's a leetle
thick. Some like his mother in thet
respect. think shall hev' ter buy
him a new top buggy ter ride out in.
He's found O. a nice turnout. Imean
ter do well by him, N Dora, too, fer
that matter. ez long ez she's in the
family The broad sweep of the
horizon was outlined by the moonlight
Rock pasture, black and somber,
frowned down at him. Suddenly out
| of the grotesque face of one of the
cliffs rang a fierce, exultant cry. The
old man started and an i'll defined fear
made him look anxiously toward the
mountain
ut was prob'ly a lynx" said he
But it sounded fer all the world like
Joe Brittain's brother. I wonder
why John don't come back" He
leaned forward and watched the road
and fields for some sign of bis sons
approach. The dusty road cleaned
white as it wound its way beneath the
bank where the clematis and wild
grape sprawled in confusion Was
that the sound of footsteps? He leaned
still farther forward and strained his
eyes to pierce tho dark place where
| the road swept out of sight around
the edge of the bank. The sound
came nearer. A form leaped out of
obscurity and hoarse voice shouted
John Sinclair wouldn't help Tom
mie! Tommie hates him. John Sin
clair's IN the cave in Rock paster all
crushed n bleeding! l hit him! l
hit himr'
The old man sprang to MS 1eet and
ran down the road. AS he passed the
leering lunatic, he gave him a fierce
blow that laid him senseless. Then
he staggered forward in the direction
of Rock pasture He had gone but a
few rods when there were light steps
behind him and woman joined him /.
She was in a loose, white wrapper
and her hair foated in a golden mass
about her shoulders. He did not ap-
pear to heed her nor she him as they
hurried through the fields over the
fragrant hay that John had cut down
that afternoon. Johns personality
was still in that hay field, just as it
had been such a short time before
when his father would not speak to
him. Once as they were crossing the
low bed of the river together, he held
out his hand to her and helped her.
She had a lantern in her hand which
sent out long shadows ahead of them
She was barefooted, and the sharp
stones must have hurt her terribly.
But she made no complaint. Once he
stumbled and fell in his haste up the
mountain and she helped him to his
feet. She wondered vaguely if she
We're accusing him and he felt a sub
tie conviction before her silence.
When he emerged from the thicket of
trees and came in sight of the dark
mouth OF the ledge, he stopped and
put his hand upon her.
"Give me the lantern" SAID he. "rd
better go in fust' She gave him the
lantern, but she kept along by his side
nor did she falter at the pale. upturn-
ed face they found there. She bent
over and lifted the crushed head into
her lap and the blood made crimson
I splashes on her white dress.
John. won't you speak?" said she
The cool touch of her hand and the
fervent tones called him back to life a
moment. He tried to raise his eyes
to see her, but he saw only the salloW
face Of his father in the background
He sighed YEARLY and moved feebly
the hand which had not lost its griI
on the little bundle of slippery elm
for his mother.
J Il told Tommie Rock paster il
all in the family" he murmured.
A year has gone. Old William
Sinclair mows alone Near him plays
his spoiled grandson followed by {
, demented old woman who insists or
calling him Johnnie. From the cham
Der window of the house comes the
) clatter of loom. A young woman
in black is up there working every
: spare moment to send her brother te