Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-09-26

middle life, with q face so marked
by drink and evil passions that there
was little reminder of features that
had once been handsome. The mis-
shapen body was too small for the
head, which barely reached above the
level of the table. Before him stood
a glass of spirits which he drained
noisily. The landlord removed the
empty glass, ignoring his demand to
I'LL 'er up again.
Time all honest folks were abed,
Jabez," he urged. Its after mid
| night
The mans companions shuffled out,
but he remained obstinately. Here
l sit; go on to bed, eff we want to; I'm
waitin fer comp'ny home," and he
! gave hOarSe, SardOnic laugh.
While yet her master argued with
him, the woman's quick ear caught the
sound of footsteps on the ground out
SIDE She stole to the door, closing
it quietly.
There, in the dense shadow, straight
and slim as the sapling against which
she leaned, stood girl, who neither
moved nor spoke until the others muf-
fled call: Miss Miller, is that your"
At this she came nearer the light,
but the octoroon laid finger on her
lip. Hush, your father is there" and
she pointed to the tavern. "He
knows you expect to meet Mr.. Gerald
tonight, and they had some words,
but
Was anybody hurt?" breathed the
girl, in frightened whisper.
But the dark woman treasured
her. Il took it upon myself to per-
suade him to go home" she said, hum
bly,. Il knew you would not want him
to risk any more trouble"
Unheeding the girls deprecatory in
terruption, the octoroon continued:
He left word for you to meet him the
night of the sixth. There is to be a
will come here afterwards. Be at the
pollard willow at the curve in the road
about midnight. l hate to give mes
sage telling you to come out at that
time Of night, but he seemed set on it.
Excuse me, Miss Sue, but / wish for
the day when you and he can meet
before the village in the open light"
The young girl WINGED. Yes, Belle
in quality fashion-We may SOME
day. In the meantime" she ended in
a passionate whisper that was half
sob Il must see him, and this way is
better than none"
The octoroon gave a hurried glance
toward the tavern. "You had better
run on home now, Miss Sue; your ia
Their might come out any minute. Are
you afraid?"
From behind the horizon the moon
threw sickly beams over the tree tops.
1t lit up the wan faces Of the two
women-the girls tender and soft, with
a pleading prettiness, the other sad
and dark, with earnest eyes full of
loyal affection. She repeated: Can
you go back alone?'
Sue Miller brushed the straying locks
from her forehead with a defiant nod
The small, checked shawl that had
half slipped from her shoulders she
knotted loosely about her head. "l'll
come as Gerald tells me to, without
fail; after the frisk, at the willow by
the turning yonder.' Yes, I'll remem-
ber," and with a parting good night
she sped down the road that led away
from the settlement, to the gloomy
cabin on the edge of the common field.
%1~ +11
ceeded. They call me 'Branch-water
man. do they? And my gal Branch
water Sue?' Well, let 'em call us what
they please, and be damned. Eff don't
want ter dig we'll, amt that my bust
ness? Eff branch waters good enough
fer me to drink, faint them as has
ter drink it. Shif'less, am I? Well,
It's me- My gal earns a livin' fer us
both, does she? Well, it's her. I ask
naught O. their cursed set but to be
let alone. I'll show 'em that a branch
water man is smart enough ter look
arter his kin, spite of any. upstart with
his dainty airs!"
In this strain he muttered half to
himself, half aloud, until the fan of
words cooled his rage. In silence he
watched the woman as she went quietly
about putting the place in order, while
the landlord adjusted the bars at the
windows. By and by, his suspicious
lulled, he, too, shuffled into the dark
ness.
The moon had utterly withdrawn her
light; the trees lowered black against
a purple sky.
Once in the road, Jabez Miller skunk
silly from right to left, peering into
the shadows at every turn. Satisfied
at last that his daughter was nowhere
about, he followed the path she had
taken short while before.
The branch water cabin was some
distance away from the center of the
village. Unsightly and forlorn, its
brown and dingy logs were scarce dis
tinguishable in the dark. Thick tam
cracks clustered about, their spixy
branches churlishly outstretched as if
to obscure all light and air. Under
meath one of these the man paused.
Lifting his crooked body on tiptoe, he
carefully examined the trunk whercon
two cuts with the tomahawk were
plainly marked. Two or three others
near bore the same sign.
mine, mine; this land is mine," ne
muttered, then walked to where were
traces of earth newly turned. These
he covered with brush and leaves, all
the while chuckling and talking under
his breath. When no sign remained
Of the hole which had been partly dug