Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-07-17
CHAPTER XXI.


seem to him to grow clearer, his heart
Fighter, his life brighter
! More than once, as he parted the
Branches, the gun that he carrted so neg,
6gently caught; more than once he shii
30 himself that he must be more care
full, or it would go of. Then he saw
chat she had reached a small, pretty open
eng in the wood, one evidently where hui
man feet seldom trod.
"Irene." he called. aud the sound of
his voice died away in the tall ferns.
"Irene," he called again, and this time
Nearing him. she turned quickly round;
her face grew white with anger and
acorn.
He has followed his fancy she
Said to herself bitterly.
Irene, ] want to speak TO you for
Few moments. | have followed you 80
Bong and so far"
Great heaven what followed?
The scornful answer died on her lips.
There was a sudden crash, cry, the
sharp ring Of shot. and he was lying
IA the long grass, with his face on the
ground.
With her quick, keen instinct, she knew
Nt once what had happened. In parting
khe branches of the trees to reach the
5pen leel his gun had caught in trying
Do recover it he fell, and the contents
af the gun entered his side.
he fell, wounded, but not mortally; all
zhis she saw at glance A deep moan
game from his lips, and she stood by in
silence. With a desperate effort he turn
ed over on lis side and gasped for breath.
Tho foll had stuuual IA i'm nut no
was quite unable to move.
"Oh, help" he cried, "help"
She did not move or stir, and then the
strong man tainted from excess Of pain.
How long he lay in that swoon he did NOT
Know; it was the very torture of pain
shat woke him from it. lie woke to find
her still standing by him, mute, silent
DouonleSs.
"Oh, help met he cried Irene. help
mel He might as well have cried out
90 the grass, the ferns, the trees, for all
abe heed she took. Irene he cried
again, while the great drops of agony
and exhaustion fell from his brow,
Irene, go quickly to the house and tell
them what has happecnd; all the shot is
here In my right side Bid them bring
u litter; cannot move"
The words came ont in Gasps he could
BcarceIy breathe for pain, But the Ouch
ess of Bayard did not move or speak; her
face had grown very white, and there
was a strange, defiant light upon 1t. He
Cooked at hog in wonder,
"Oh, Irene, hasten" he said. II am in
such pain, such terrible pain. My side
burns as though it were on FIRE. All,
help me quickly, or | shall die"
There was CLEAN in her face that
almost frightened hint was so much
BIKE madness. Then she came little
bearer to him, and, bending down. looked
Ento his face
"Can you hear me?' she asked; can
you understand"
Eyes, | hear, Irene, Help me, for
heavens sake!''
Listen. You have read the Bible per
Saps, when you were a child at school.
DO you remember that when strange
nations fell into the hands of the Jews 1t
was said that heaven had delivered them
INTO the hands Of their enemiesr DO You
remember thatr
"Yes," he gasped, Help me, Irene.'
! "As il happened to the Jews, SO it has
happened to me- she said; you are de
uvered into my hands; you have fallen
living into my hands,"
"Oh, Irene, hasten for help for metz
No." she replied, slowly, Il shall bring
20 help to you
Bring no help he cried. You are
nad. shall die if you do not"
you must die" she replied. The
Mfe of the body is as nothing compared
20 the life of the Soul-Iess than nothing
You tried to kill my soul. Nou would
Nave taken from me my good name and
Sair repute, aud it is just-heayen know,
that it is just-that |, in my turn, should
Stake from you the life of your body. Il
ss but JUST she cried, passionatcly.
His eyes grew liyid with horror, hi!
eyes terrible with fear.
"YOu cannot mean II, Irene. You are
q woman, gentle and tender of heart,
Know, dear. You are trying to brighter
Iane. And | am sorry, sorry for my sin
oorry to my heart for the wrong | di,
Hou. was following you just for that
IRENE. to ask your pardon-to ask you T.
SAY that you had forgiven me. DO yo
Know that If you leave me here, withou
Aelp, | shall die the most cruel, lingering
eOrturng deathy
"As my soul would have died" sh
said. in a pitless voice. IL swore to b
yevenged on you. | had but to speak on
word to my husband and he would hav
get his heel on your face. That wOul
hsve been mercful revenge. prefe
&his."
81 would not believe you, Irene"
cried, "if you went on your knees an
gwore it,
She knelt down among the fern an
dead plants.
81 swear that will do it," she sal,
with the same strange CLEAN of defanC
on her face. II will leave you lying hen
- die in punishment of the wrong yo
did me-"
"Irene," he said, you are mad 20
must be mad! Do you know that tn
would be MURDER"
att Is vengeance" she said, "righteor
vengeance! have thought over it /
might and brooded over it by day, what
shSuld do to be avenged; how | cou
eeach you; how | could best make yC
Ssel; and now | exult that you are deli
cred over to me, bound, helpless as pc
bile were delivered to the tortures ~ oil
IN Il righteous vengeance. You tortur,