The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-04-20
SILVER SPUR
30 O.

| doorway: and there stood Della tcsard
Ing us.
JOAN" said I. hot with shame taking
her arms gently from my neck: ''ns,sn
! come because I am chased. Once more
the dragooners are after me-not 1--WE
minutes away. You must lend me q
horse. and at once"
Nay" said a voice In the dior way,
"ihe horse. IL lent. II for me!'
Joan turned. and the two women stood
looking at each other-the one with
dark wonder. the other with cold dis.
dainfulness-and between them scarce
lifting my eyes. Each was beautiful NJ
ter her kind. rs day and night; hhd
though their looks crossed for full ma n.
ute like drawn blades. neither had the
! mastery. Joan was the FIRST 10 speak.
Jack. Is thy mare In the yaniY'
Give me thy pistols and thy cloak
She stepped TO the window hole ut the
end OF the kitchen. and looked out.
Plenty OF time" she said. and pointed
TO the ladder leading 10 the loft above
Climb up there. the both. and pull
the ladder after Is IL thou they wan;
or sheg" pointing 10 Della.
me chiefly they would catch. no doubt
being man." answered.
"Aye-being n man: the worlds full
OF folly. Then. Jack. do thou look after
her. and Ill look nfter thee"
She flung my cloak about her. took my
pistols aud went out at the door. As
she did 50 the sun sank and a dull shad.
ow swept over The moor.
joan" | cried. for now guessed
her purpose and was following TO hinder
her. but she had caught Molly's bride
aud was already astride OF her.
Get back she called softly. and then.
II make a better lad than wcnch. Jack.
leapcd the mare through gap In the
wall, aud Ia a moment was breasting the
hill and gallopins for the high road.
What think you of this for a hlding
placer" asked I. with laugh.
But Della did not laugh. Instead she
faced me with blazing eyes. checked her.
self and answered. cold as ice;
''Sir. YOU have done me n many "a.
vors. How have trusted you in return
IL were best for you TO remember. and
for me to forget"
The dark then drew on. and still we
sat there. hour after hour. silent. angry,
waiting for Joan's return. Della ut the
entrance OF the cottage. chin on hand.
scanning the heavens and never once
turning toward me; further inside, with
my arms crossed. raging against myself
apd NIL the world. yet with a ck'ning
dread that Jean would never come back.
She came ut last. leading Molly by the
bride. Della slipped away as she tot
tered into the hut.
Jack" said Joan. sit down an let
me rest my head 'on thy knee. Oh.
yes. did II bravely! Eight good miles
m more | took the mare-by the Four
hold Cross. an across the moor past
TOber an Catshole. IN over Brown
Willy. an round Roughtor TO the nor.
west: an there lies the bravcst quag--
oh, a black. bottomless hole.-an' into IL
led them; an there they lie. every
horse, an every mothers son. till Judg.
mcnt Day"
"DcadY'
"Ayc-an' the last twain wi a bullet
apiece in their skulls. Oh. rare! Dear
heart--hold my hcad--so, atween thy
hands"
'But Joan, are these men dead. say
your
Surely, yes. Why. lad. what be four
rebels. mp or down, To make this coal
ovcrg Hast never axed after me-
'Joan--yOu are not hurtg'
In the darkness ! sought her eyes. and.
pccring into them. drew back.
joan"
Hush. lad. bend down thy head. aud
LEI me whisper ] went too near--an'
one. that was over his knees. let fly wi
bis musician Jack, have but a min.
ute or two. Hush. lad. hush--there's no
call! loved thee so. boy Jackr'
Her arms were drawing down my face
To her. her eyes were dull with pain.
Feel. Jack-thcre--ovcr my right
breast. plugged the wound wi peat
turf. Pull II out, for It's bleeding inward
and hurts cruclly-pull il outw
As hesitatcd she thrust her own
hand in and drew 1t forth. leaving the hot
blood 10 gush.
An now. Jack. tighter-hold me
tighter. Kiss mc-oh. what brave times
Tighter. lad. an call wi me-'Church
an King Call. lad--Church an
The warm arms looscncd, the head
sank back upon my lap.
looked mp. There was a shadow
across the entrance. blotting out the star
OF night. Twas Della. leaning there aud
listening.