The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-10-14
! Curse ., Darlington J
By X. TEMPLE MOORE.
x Xxx rs,
By X. TEMPLE MOORE.

committing
And she answered me:
Love, | would not know II could
Let me prove how wholly trust you
$50 we were married; and one year
after, you were born. For a time
thought that gaining my daughter l
had lost my wife, so i'll was Margaret
But at last, by slow degrees, she be-
gan TO improve.
"One night, hurrying homeward,
hopeful and joyful, | met in the surg
ing crowd my old Partisan roommate,
face to face. | had barely time to note
the strange triumph in his eyes, the
exultant smile on his lips, when he
had dashed by me and was lost in the
busy street.
II went home. chilled with a strange
forboding. My wife was awaiting me.
Standing erect in the little room, her
eyes ablaze, her cheeks ahame with
excitement, she held an open letter
above her head
She held il out to me as entered,
with a look in her eyes which will
haunt me dead. She did not speak a
wcrd. l TOOK It. | read it. 1t was
the story of the three lost years of my
life. It was a minute and most hor-
rible account of the theft, the trial, the
galleys. 1t was signed, boldly and
legibly, with the old, familiar name.
Besides, | knew the writing. It was
that of the friend OF my youth.
When | had finished reading II
looked up at Margaret. Whether 1t
was the prolonged strain of suspense,
or something she read in my face,
know not, but the feverish light faded
from her eyes, the bright flush from her
cheek, and she reeled and fell like a
log at my feet"
We'll" Laurie gasped-well?"
There is no more to tell. The ex.
element brought on fever-fever,
DEATH"
The clock on the mantel tolled. sill
very, ten.
ut killed her. papa?"
AYE, it killed her!"
The night wind stole In, soothing
the sick man with his touch-cool,
caressing. infinitely refreshing, till he
fell into light sleep.
The night was passed. A chill wind
swept by the window A cold gray
ness crept into the air. The light of
morning was deepening in the East
when Laurence Isle woke from his
restless slumber.
He started up in bed with strange.
fierce, restless energy. And you knew
his trouble had been with him In his
dreams-so quickly. SO impulsively
he spoke
"A life ruined he cried-"blasted
and ruined! A fair life-a goodly life
blasted and ruined! And all be-
cause of one boy-ah, no, no! one
man. He is a man now. All because
of him. He sent me to the galleysi
He murdered my "ife, my darling!
He murders the future of my child.
Revenge! Revengel"
His daughter flung herself on her
knees beside the bed.
NO." she pleaded. Vengeance is
Gods. MOI"
But life was strong In him; the
flame was fiaring luridly before it went
out forever.
"Swear!" he cried, passionately, his
voice ringing and resolute and hor-
r!dly distinct In the solemn dawn
Swear! Swear IL ever he should cross
your path to deal to him, as far as Is
in your power, the merciless rigor of
the old Mosaic law--'an eve for an
eye, tooth for a toothi' Swear!"
He is delirious; his mind is wan
dering," the girl murmured, piteouslv
looking up at the doctor, who had Just
entered.
He shook his head gravely.
No" he answered. "he is quite con.
scious."
"Swearl" repeated hollow voice,
with passionate vehemence.
Slowly Laurie rose TO her feet. She
was shuddering sharply like one
chilled TO the heart She had not talk
en- time to change her dress. She still
wore the soft white lawn, with its gay,
rose-colored ribbons. she had donned
the previous morning.
"Oh, cannot" she murmured, faint
ly. 1T is too dreadful cannot"
A dark flush, born of irritation,
surged over her fathers face.
The physician started forward In
alarm.
"You are Fastening the end by this
contradiction he cried impatiently.
You may never meet the person OF
whom he speaks. Promise-gratify
him! 1t Is his last requesti"
His last request! And how he had
loved her! How he lad worshiped and
adored her every word and look and
action since she was wee, motherless
child. And this was his last request.
and she--yes, she would grant It.
What was this man to her that she
should spare him? this man who had
wrought her such bitter. such irrepar-
able wrong?
The imploring lips were growing
rigid; the wistful, hungry eyes glazed
In death.
LAUREL he entreated.
Was II a sense of foreboding of the
Infinite evil to be that made the girl
pause in that blind, bewildered way.
and put up one hand to her throat. as
II the coming words were choking her?
Il swear!" she painted.
A swift. strong Joy flashed over the
face already damp with the dews of
death Ha fall hack ON bis ,,,it