The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-15
JE Z; II NEt IElNT
BY MARTHA MccULLoCH-WILLIAMs.

(. -
Poor thing! When you remember how her
mother is in madhouse, her father roar
ing old rip, and that In all her life she has
never been crossed-why. you cant help but
be sorry for her.
II always thought you had leanings to
missionary work She is exactly the field for
IT. Lois said, dimpling Johnny got up pre-
cipitately.
I'm going home,'' he said. Come along
with me. ] know you want ride. and III
bring you back safe to your own gate
I do want to see the creek while 1t Is
SO high. Grandad Gays this is the biggest
freshet ever known Lois answered. Then.
with smiling malace: I'VE will go around
by Roses mill. II Miss Jenny sees us, she
can do no more Than murder me-
Take care Don't ride too near the edge.
Johnny cautioned as they refined in on top Of
the bluff overlooking the foodei lowlands. A
week OF pouring rain had left the whole
world sodden. Shallow rooted trees heavy
with new leaves toppled before the rufflinx
winds Here and there a big Dough broke
with its burden of sappy growth, and every
where caving banks and SCARED hillsides
told of treacherous footholds.
The bluff of gray limestone overhung the
mill pond proper. Roses mill stood stark and
idle, the race swallowed in the whelmins
Hood. A little way of, upon green swell.
the big fire-new Rose house Haunted gay
walls and staring tower. The doors stood
wide; otherwise there was no sign of habi.
fancy.
Lois waved her hand toward it, saying:
Johnny, when you are master there you'll
let me go UP in that tower. l hope. l have
wanted to ever since watched the men
building it, and unless you take me up know
shall never get there
No, you won't never git thar woman's
voice half screamed, half sobbed behind
them. Jenny had pounced upon them,
mounted like themselves, her black curis
streaming free, eyes blazing, lips narrowed
to scarlet line In a death white face. She
rode straight at Lois, crying shakingly: II
hate you SO I'd kill you eff 'twant that you're
on my ground! Go away, and don't you never
come nigh me no more!"
Lois listened, her glance Of superb scorn
softening to pity as the wild TRADE ran on.
Silently she refined her horse aside, making
to pass Jenny. Johnny pushed in between
the two girls Jenny caught his arm, with
shrll, sobbing cry: Don't leave me! Let her
go by herself"
You are crazy or worse he said angrily.
wrenching himself free. Jenny refined her
horse upon its launches wheeled and spurred
1t madly at Lois. Lois swerved backing her
horse. Then all in twinkle the ground
cruInbled beneath the animals feet. He went
rolling and crashing downward, to land in tho
deep water with a mighty, sickening splash.
\ have, great mind to fling you after!"
Johnny shouted hoarsely, springing down and
rushing to the crumbling verge.
JENNY wrung her hands. I'll never
meant ter kill! Twas my devil done it, she
said dropping down beside him to peer below.
Instantly she sprang up and began scramblins
downward, swinging agilely from ledge to.
ledge and shouting back: Il zee heron the
shelf half way! Ride, ride! Git ropes and
men! I'll hold her safe tell you come! I
will. oh, wilt
Il shall not trust you.'' Johnny cried,
scrambling after her. But in trice his head
swan. He saved himself from fainting and
falling only by clinging fast to shrubs rooted
in the bluff face. Lying along a ledge. he
watched with fascinated gaze the slim. up-
right figure creep and writhe perilously down.
ward. When it leaced beside the other one.
huddled heap upon the narrow shelf, he
could watch no longer.
The hud6led figure stirred and held cut its
hands Lois had freed herself and leaped OF
as her horse went down. BY almost miracle
she had landed in leafy shrubbery, to rebound
as from an air cushion to the messy shelf,
unhurt save for scratches. bruises and ner-
yous shock.
Elm goin' to take you back Jenny said,
nodding upward Not the way comedy :
sorter path zap had made fer me- SOS could
come when please. Jest shut your eyes and
foller blindfold won't hurt you. I know
1t amt wuthswhile.'
Lois did as she was hidden. 1nyten minutes,
that seemed like ten hours, she found herself
again on the upper level Johnny was there
to seize upon her as though he would never
let her go. He did not mean to be cruel.
Lois danger had driven everything else out
of his mind.
Jenny watched him through tense half
minute then with a low, choked Goodbye"
sprang out and down. to end in the gray
depths. At sundown they found her. dead
and beautiful with the beauty of peace after
stressful storms.