The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-03-23
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
look'd up. Below the sleeper ridge
Of the tor a patch OF land lad been
clcar'd for tillage: aud here a yoke Of
oxen was moving leisurcly before
plough, while behind followed the wild
est shape--a woman.
She was not calling TO me. but 10 her
team: and ss put Molly ut the slope,
her chant ros; and fell In the mourn
fullest singsong.
"so-hoa! Cop Comcly vean! oop. then
.-o-oopv'
rose In my stirrups and shouted. At
thls aud the sound OF hoofs. she stay'd
the plough and. hand on hip, looked down
the slope. The oxen. softly rafting the
chains on their yoke. turn'd their necks
and gaxed. With sunk head Molly heav-
cd herself up the last few yards and
came 20 halt with a staggcr. l slipp'd
out OF the saddle and stood. with hand
on IL. swaying.
What's thy need. young man--that
contest down 90 Temple wi sword n
danglin'f"
The girl was half drcss'd In coarse
sacking. She appcar'd no whit abash'd.
but lean'd on the plougr-tail and regard
ell me, easy and frank. as n man would.
"Scll me a horse" l blurted out;
twenty ruineas will give for one with.
In i've minutes. and more IL he be good!
l ride on the Kings Grand"
But I saw her no longer: only called
'oh-ohw twice. like n little child, and
slipping my hold OF the saddle, droppd
forward on her breast. l was reused by
the touch OF n hand thrust over my
heart.
WHO Is III" whispered.
"Joan." answered n voice. and the
hand was withdrawn.
"Joan--what bcsidesT'
"Joan's enough, / reckon: lucky for
thee It's mono else. Joan o. the Tor
folks call me. Hold thy peace, lad, an
cry out so little as may be-"
felt n ripping OF my Jacket sleeve
and shirt, now clotted and stuck TO the
flesh. IL pain'd cruelty. but l shut my
teeth: and after that came tho smart
and delicious ache OF water, as she rinsed
the wound.
Clean through the flesh. lad--in an
out, like country dancin'. No bullet to
probe nor bone TO set Heart up! Thy
mother shall kiss thee yet. WHAT'S thy
ramef"
Marvel, Joan-Jack Marvel"
AN marvel tits thou'rt Marvel yet.
Good blood there's In thee, but little
enow."
She bandaged the sore with linen from
my shirt, and tied Il round with sackcloth
from her own dress. Twas all most
gently done: and then found her arms
under me. and myself lifted rs easily MS
a baby.
LEFT arm round my neck. Jack; an
sing out if It's hurtin' thee"
IL seemed but six steps and we were
out on the bright hillside. not fifty PAGES
from where the plough yet stood In the
furrow. Down the hill she carried me.
picking the softcst turf. and moving with
an easeful swing that rather lulrd my
hurt than joltcd u. was dozing. even.
when a strange noise awoke me.
Twas a high protracted note. that
sceni'd at FIRST 10 swell up toward as, and
then broke of In half dozen or more
sharp yells. Joan took no heed OF them.
but seeing my eyes unclosc, and hearing
me moan. stopped short.
Hurt thee. ladT
mo. Twas not my pain but the sink.
Ing sun that wrung the exclamation from
me. | was thinking" muttercd.
Don't: tits bad for health. But bide
thee still awhile. and shalt lie pom
soft bed"
BY this time We had come down to the
road. and the yeils were still going on
louder than ever We crossd the road.
descended another slope, ard came al at
once on a low pile of buildings that
moment before had been hid. Twas but
three novels OF mud, stuck together IN
the shape OF headlcss cross. Around
the whole ran a battered wall, patched
with furs. and from this dwelling the
screams were issuing
"Joanw the voice began, "Joan-Jan
Tergaglc's a clawin' my less--Gar-roui,
thou cat Pull'n OF Joan--Jo-an"'