Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-08
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Revenge of Matthew Heller.

| mountains is somber rather than gay.
There are few rock naples to furnish the
I vivid ye1lows and scarlets. Here and there
a sassafras adds Its splash of ochre. and a
| chestnut or a shen-bark varies the scene
| with it's pale lemon, but the ruling tints are
dull. The scrub-oak, which dominates
every scene. turns late In the season to a
russell brown. and then at length to a livid
| red and purple, as II the year had to force
| the tree to obey the season and strange 1t
| into submission. Late into the winter and
even into the spring the snags that twist
| themselves among the rocks cling with
| desperate grip to their old leaves, loath
| to disclose their deformity; and these yell
| lowed and tattered rags give to the winter
| ridges an indescribably desolate and life
| less aspect.
But the Indian summer transhgures the
| mountains and drives away for time
| every trace of somberness. The haze set
| ties down like a veil over the ridges, con-
ceaiing the sharp angles and ragged gaps
and scrawny trees, until the ranges lie
vague and dim. like summer clouds.
| 1t was Sunday the last day of October,
and the iood-tide of the year There WAS
| not movement In the landscape; all was
still as If the world were dead; even the
| voice of the run, which so dominates the
little valley, was lost in the haze.
| Beautiful! beautiful whispered Tom
Farthing, looking down at the fraH figure
| beside him. isn't it beautiful
| Yes, too beautiful to last" There was
| weakness In the voice. She was half
| Ginning amid pillows, wan and wistful-eyed,
but fairer than he had ever seen her be-
fore He looked into her face and drove
| more softly.
| No, no, Iona" he pleaded, don't say
| that. Please don't" Then they were
silent again, while the great sun shone on
them and the soft haze folded them into
/ little world where they two were alone
utterly and forever. 1t seemed in that gold
| en- light-they two, and alone.
| Why, Tom, where you taking me?'
| asked SIltdpnlV her nd
looking about her.
''Oh. I'm just letting the horse CO.
But, see-the old cabin! He's taking us
| to the old cabin She looked up into his
| face as If In sudden alarm.
| And why not?
| 'Tom-please! Oh, you don't know"
| broke in pleadingly. It's too beautiful
| Let's go in; you can rest a long time be
| fore we start back. We be all alone
| and it so beautiful"
| But. Tom
| All ready" He had alighted and was
| standing by the wheel. Come" He lifted
| her unresisting from the buggy and carried
her as If she were a child in to the old
| sofa.
''One moment; I'll get the pillows-there,
you can rest now just if you were in
| your own room. Can't your"
| Yes; but, Tom-you don't know"
And | don't care" he burst out with
| passion in his voice. "Oh, Iona, l don't
know anything, only that love you He
knelt impuisively, that he could look up
| into her eyes. and took both of her hands
In his Il wouldn't say it while you We're
| sick; l couldn't; but you're better now,
aren't you? And 1 may say it now,
'"Tom, must tell you something"
| mo, no. don't" he pleaded
But l must husband you'll hate
me-
Iona
IT'S my brother-Leon-"
Oh -. is that that al? That's nothing.
all ''S' '''>i''''e Ct
Wait" She, sat up suddenly among
the pillows and looked into his eyes al
| most ferceiy. TT is something, and you
will hate me. Listen to this: I knew all
| winter they were In the cave: 1 knew all
about the robberies, and the death OF Karl
Keichlne'
"Ah"
Il always knew Leon wasn't drowned
I've been away with him on the road-to
f the city Wsre of s gypsy blood it came
| words impetuously. as If eager to tell the
| worst. Leon fell in with Clinca. and
and they got into trouble. They had to
run for their lives I knew they were in
the cave-I knew 1t all the time-and, oh,
you'll hate men'
Iona, you're ill-don't tell any more,
please"
He was my brother-my twin, and he
wasn't wicked-only wild. 1t was Clnca-
he had him in his power Oh, my God,
how I hate him" She was sitting bolt
red in either cheek, almost CHASTITY 1t
burned in the pale olive. Her eyes gilt
tered in their beady blackness.
"Lona-pleasei"
He said he loved me-" The words came
almost in gasps. II couldn't avoid him.
He said we must be married. He had me
in his power. He said he would give up
Leon or kill him If 1 wouldn't marry him
He told me So and he could have done it"
Why didn't you tell me. Iona? 1 told
you I'd help you
swore if he saw us together again he would
kill you in minute and hide you in the
cave And he would have done it; he was
capable of It; and not a soul would have
known. I couldn't tell you. Ny father
made me swear when he was dying that
would never tell the secret to any human
it, Matthew Heller's fingers would clutch
my throat. Ohp'
And you told Clinca?"
Never. 1t was Leon. Father told him
when he did me. Hark! Oh, my God
What's that? Matthew Heller!" A
half heard thud came up from
below them. The girl was rigid, her eyes
full of unspeakable fear.
There's some In the cellar" he announced
after q tense moment.
''Oh. Tom-come--auickv She made a
movement If to fly from the haunted
house. but he held her in his arms. II was
as If there a shuddering presence In
the room. brooding over them almost threat
enngly.
1nere 9 more lndn one ne murmured IN
tensely. listening as II for some ghostly
visitant. There's woman there Ah!"
Clear and distinct there came up through
the floor a familiar information. There could
be no mistaking it.
Careful that old pot lid don't swat yeh"
Amos"
''Oh!' She fell back half In a faint from
the sudden revulsion.
You say this leads up to the kitchen ?''
1t was Roses voice. A moment later she
opened the door.
'Why-why Loney! Is that you? You
here? Why. Loney. you re pale as a ghost
Here, Jim, Amos-Loney and Tom are
here The two appeared at the door
simultaneously.
by gummy. amt this bright though |
after that darned hole!" Amos set down
his lantern and looked about him blinkingy. |
And so you're I'D here. are We, Tom? And /!
Loney. too. by George! Good-good enough
Say. old man. when's the happy day? You
want to give me time to wash my neck and !
get new pair Of calfskin boots.''
Uncle Amos!"
II hain't said nothin'. All I said is that |
this Is a happy daytime weather-couldn't |
have better. Makes me feel jest like a boy. |
/ vanny. IL 1t want Sunday I'd dance we a |
clog right on this old shanty floor Tain't |
wicked to sing hymns. though. on Sunday, |
is it? Wal, then. here she goes:
"Hooray fer Penn-sil way-ne-ar wunst.