Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-12-13

began to see through the tyrant.
"The people on the Arrow ! shall hold
till hear from headquarters
prisoners OF board?'
YES. SIR"
And Morton?"
Il propose to detail another firing party
and shoot him by sunrisc.'
"fou do"
II do
Very well, Major; Morton is a soldier
and he must deserve his death; hut if YOU
keep Il guard on the Arrow, You and l
are mt outs"
mand at this post:''
You are"
VERY we'll. Will you kindly let me
have my own way!"
Not if YOU keep Ford under arrest"
But, sir, you cannot dictate to me-"
said the major, now getting very angry.
"Ihen your cnmity must begin" said
the judge. Strengthening up, md hcgin-
ming to tug at his long beard.
do you mean to threateny"
II never threaten; but if you force me
to turn against you, l never forgive. Let
me illustrates: Colin Morton's father and
1 are cousins. Our grandfather. an &C.
centric man. left a large estate, and 1
was cut off from his will. Had l been
the favored one and Morton cut off 1
would have divided with him, share and
share alike. I proposed this to my cous
in and he refused. l was left poor and
l came into the wilderness to battle my
way; and from that day on, l have hated
him and his. This young man, his son,
is a gentleman and a hero; and 1 do not
think he is guilty of the crime charged
against him! Yet the un-dead tiend in
my heart has made me gloat over his
downfall and side with you. even against
my own daughter. But, sir, while L hate
where L hate, l also love where 1 love;
and l now protest against YOU keeping
my best friend under guard"
II cannot help Your protest."
Maj. Germo 1 am Il passionate man,
but have never been accused of being
a rash one. You must at once take the
guard off the Arrow-'
".And if l do not?"
"1f o do not there will be Il grave
dug for you or me inside of thirty-six
hours"
Judge Loring drew away, md sitting
down on the beach, covered his face with
his hands. For the first time he realized
he effects of his own causeless wrath
and for the first time the full heroism of
the daughter he had never ceased to love
flashed upon him. Heretofore he had
imagined Germon a gentleman. because
lie held a high commission; and so he
had thought Colin Morton to be a bad
man because his father had chosen to
hold, as his own all that was left to
him under the will of their grandfather.
The judge looked over his long past.
and he saw that it was his own emper.
that had sent him into the wilderness;
and that it was this temper, this savage
hate, that was now turning him against
his beautiful. heroic daughter.
He remained sitting for some time. and
gradually. as if bent over by his sor-
rows. he fell upon his knees and bowed
his head. Did he pray? If so, he uttered
no words. but it may be that to the Hear
err of prayer his petition was as audible
us if chantcd by all earth's choirs.
1t was near midnight when he rose
from his knees. and walked Up through
the Fort. The sentinel knew him and
did net challenge. He passed through,
scarce knowing where he was going, and
he was nearing the fringe of huts outside
the fort when he felt a light hand on his
shoulder and n soft voice whispered:
Don't fear. I'm a friend"
WHO are YOU? demanded the judge.
II am Solon.'
"Solon!'
Eyes, Judge
and who is that with you?' asked
the Judge. noticing a taller figure behind
the young Skagit.
This is Fish Hawk, the Flat-Head,"
replied Scion.
HE is a traitor.!' cried the Judge.
$50 the white mcn all think-so 1 want
them to think" laughed the tiger. But
you are a Skagit and so is your daughter.
Are you afraid of me?"
"Afraid of you?" said the judge. mo.
nor am l afraid of any man, white or
red, that walks the forests or climbs the
mountains"
'"rhen will You come with meg"
"VNhy should II"
"Because l have much to show you."
"NNhat is itY'
81 cannot tell you. Ask Scion if l AM
leading You into danger" said Fish
Hawk, with another laugh.
at is better that YOU should come"
said Scion, "for Fish Hawk has a wonder
to show
"a wonder? What wonder?"
'"The dead rising from the grave" re-
piled Scion.
The firing detail at Fort Clark was
drawn up before the guardhOuse, with
arms reversed. the morning after Colin
Morton was taken from the Arrow. The
bugle called out the garrison to witness
the execution. The guard was drawn up
in front. The rest of the garrison form
ed on three sides of a hollow square.
ASK the prisoner if he has anything to
say said Maj. Germon, addressing the
sergeant.
The sergeant put the question and the
prisoner said:
NO.
The sergeant of the guard made Colin
kneel on his coffin.
Then the major called ont to the firing
party:
"Artention"
The men stood straight, with the butts
Of their guns resting on tho ground. close