Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-09-12

more TO stand against than just my
talk. They saw 1t all today-the mean
est thing | ever knew! | could OF
stood il all except that!" Before they
could prevent him he had struggled
half upright in bed, lifting a clinched
Ast at the town beyond the windows
"But. by God. when they got so low
down they tried to kill your dog
He fell back, choking, In Joe's arms,
and the physician bent over him, but
Eskew was not gone, and Ariel, upon
the other side of the room, could hear
him whispering again for the restora-
tive She brought it, and when he had
taken It went quickly out of doors to
the side yard.
She sat upon workman's bench un-
der the big trees, hidden from the
street shrubbery, and, breathing deep
ly of the shaded air, began to cry quiet
". Through the windows came the
Iuuavering voice Of the old man, lifted
again, inslstent, little querulous, but
determined. Responses sounded inter-
mittently from the colonel, from Peter
and from Buckalew, and now and then
q sorrowful, yet almost humorous pro-
test from Joe; and so she made out
that the veteran swore his three COM
rades to friendship with Joseph Lou
den, to lend him their countenance In
all matters, to stand by him In veal
and woe, TO speak only good Of him
and defend him In the town OF Canaan.
Thus did Eskew Arp on the verge of
parting this life render justice.
The gate clicked, and Ariel saw Eu-
gene approaching through the shrub
berry. One OF his hands was bandaged,
a thin strip of courtplaster crossed his
forehead from his left eyebrow to his
hair and his thin and agitated face
showed several light scratches.
II saw you come out" he said. 1--WE
been waiting to speak to you"
THE doctor told us to let him have
bis way In whatever he might ask"
Ariel wiped her eyes. I'm afraid that
means
II didn't come to talk about Eskew
Arp interrupted Eugene. I'm not
aborlng under any anxiety about him.
You needn't be afraid; he's too sour to
accept his congo so readily"
please lower your voice." she said,
rising quickly and moving away from
him toward the house; but, as he fol-
lowed, insisting sharply that he must
speak with her. she walked out OF ear
shot OF the windows and, stopping,
turned toward him. every WELL" she
said. "Is II message from Manner
At this he faltered and hung fire.
"Have you been to see her?" she
continued. II am anxious to know II
her goodness and bravery caused her
any-any discomfort at home"
you may set your mind at rest about
that" returned Eugene IL was there
when the judge came home 10 dinner.
| suppose you fear he may have been
rough with her for taking my STEP
brother into the carriage. He was not
On the contrary. he spoke very quietly
to her and went on out toward the sta.
bles. But l haven't come to you to
talk Of Judge Pike either"
NO" said Ariel; ~ don't care par.
ticularly to hear OF him. but OF Ma
mieL"
"Nor OF her elther!" he broke out. 81
want TO talk OF your
There was no mlstaklng him, no
possibility OF misunderstanding the
real passion that shook him. and her
startled eyes betrayed her comprehen-
sion.
"Yes, see you understandw he cried !
bitterly. That's because you've seen |
others the same way. God help me-" |
he went on, striking his forehead with
his open hand, that young fool of a
Bradbury told me you refused him
only yesterday! He was proud OF even
rejection from you! And there's Nor
bert and half dozen others. perhaps.
already since you've been bore" He
lung out his arms in ludlcrous. savage
despair. And here am r.
"Ah, yes" she cut him of, "it is OF
that you want 10 speak after
Ill. not of me-"
Look here" he voclferated. "Are
'ou going TO marry that Joe Louden?
want 10 know whether you are or
lot. He gave me this and this today"
lie touched his bandaged hand and
'lastered forehead. HE ran into me
'ver me-for nothing when | was not
N my guard, struck me down-stamp-
q on me-
She turned upon him, cheeks atiame,
yes sparkling and dry.
Mr.. Bantry." she cried, ''he did a
ood thing! And now want you to
o home. l want you TO GO home and
~ II you can discover anything in
ourself that is worthy OF Mamie and
what she showed herself 10 be this
II you can. you will have {
ound something that could likew
She went rapidly toward the house, .
nd he was senseless enough TO follow, /
abiding; What do you think I'm
lade OFF, You trample on me, as he a.,
I