Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1901-07-18

Thus the powers of good and the
powers of evil wrestled together in
JasOn's heart for mastery. But the
moment of their struggle was short.
One look at the piteous blind face ly-
ing on Greeba's bosom, one glance at
the more piteous wet face that hung
over it, and love had conquered hate
in that big heart forever and forever.
Jason was recalled to himself by a
dull hum of words that seemed to be
spoken from the Mount. Someone was
asking why he lad come there, and
brought Michael Sunlocks along with
him. So he lifted his hand, partly to
call attention, partly to steady him
self, and in a broken voice he said
these words
Men and women, if you could only
know what it means that you have
just witnesses, l think it would be
enough to move any man. You know
what l ana sort of bastard who
mas never been a a among men,
but has walked alone all the days Of
his life. My father killed my mother,
and so l vowed to kill my father. l
did not do it, for l saved him out of
the sea, and he died in my arms, as
you might say, doating on the mem
DRY of another son. That sons moth
er had supplanted me, so 1 vowed to
Kill him for his fathers sake. l did
not do that neither. l had never once
set eyes on my enemy, / had done
nothing but say what | meant to do,
when you took me and tried me and
condemned me. Perhaps that was in
justice, such as could have been met
with nowhere save here in Iceland,
yet l thank God for it now. BY what
chance l do not know, but in that
hell to which you sent me, where all
names are lost and no man may know
his yoke-fellow, except by his face if
he has seen it, 1 met with one who
became my friend, my brother, my
second self. 1 loved him, as one
might love a little child. And he low
ed me-yes, mel could swear it.
You had thought me a beast, and shut
me out from the light of day and the
company of Christian men. But he
made me a man, and lit UP the dark
ness Of my night"
His deep, strong voice faltered, and
he stopped, and nothing was audible
save the excited breathing of the peo-
pie. Greeba was looking up into his
haggard face with amazement written
upon her own.
Must l go on?" he cried in a voice
rent with agony. Il have brought him
here, and he is Michael Sunlocks. My
brother suffering is my brother in
blood. The man I have vowed to
Stay is the man | have tried to save"
Some of the people could not restrain
their tears, and the white faces of the
others Guivered visibly.
why have you brought him here?"
asked the Judge.
At h a moment Michael Sunlocks
began to move and to moan as if
consciousness were coming back to
him. Jorgen Jorgensen saw this, and
the proud composure with which he
had looked on and listened while Sun
locks lay like a man dead left him
in an instant.
why have you brought Michael
Sunlocks here?" asked the Judge
again.
why has he brought him here?'
said Jorgen Jorgensen, bitterly. ITO
be arrested. That's why he has
brought him here. See, the man is
coming to. He will do more mischief
yet, unless he is prevented. Take
him, he shouted to n or two of the
guards from KriSuVik, who had come
with Greeba, and now stood behind
her.
Wait" cried the Judge, lifting his
hand.
There was no gainsaying his voice,
and the guards who had stepped for
ward dropped back.
Then he turned to Jason again and
repeated his question.
why have you brought Michael
Sunlocks here?"
At that, Jorgen J~orgensen lost all
s~elf-control and shouted, "Take him,
l say!" And facing about to the
Judge he said, Il will have you know,
sir, that l am here for Denmark and
must be obeyed."
The guards stepped forward again,
but the crowd closed around them, and
pushed them back.
Seeing this, Jorgen Jorgensen grew
purple with rage, and turning to the
people, he shouted at the full pitch of
his voice, Listen to me. Some min
utes past, | put a price on that mans
head. 1 said l would give you twenty
thousand kroner. l was wrong. l will
give o nothing but your lives and
liberty. You know what that means.
You have bent your necks under the
yoke already, and you may have to do
it again. Arrest that man-arrest both
mem"
Stop" cried the Judge.
These men are escaped prisoners"
said Jorgen J~orgensen.
And this is the Mount of Laws. and
here is Althing," said the Judge; land
prisoners or no prisoners, if they have
anything to say, by the ancient law
Of Iceland they may say it now"
"Pshaw! your law of Iceland is moth
ing to me-" said Jorgen Jorgensen,
and turning to the crowd he cried,
I'm the name of the King of Den
mark, I command you to arrest those
men,"
And in the name of the King of
Kings" said the Judge, turning after
him, Il command you to let them
alone"
There was a dread hush for a mo-
ment, and then the Judge looked down
at Jason and said once more, why
have you brought Michael Sunlocks
here! Speak,"
Before Jason could make answer.
Jorgen %Jorgensen had broken in
again: