Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-04-26

II Nf 'PSN 1865 ''5' NN'''S $3.50"
the whole armament seems to weigh down
on the still earth, where everything is
burnt and parched, the foliage of the trees
hanging limp and heavily, and the grass,
yellow and sere, mingling with the hot,
white dust Of the roads.
Absolute stiffness everywhere down here
by the Garra Yarra, not even the river
making a noise as it sweeps swiftly down
on its winding course between its low mud
banks. No bark of a dog or human voice
breaks the stiffness not even the signing
Of the wind through the trees. And
throughout all this unearthly silence a
nervous vitality predominates, for the air
is full of electricity, and the subtle force
is permeating the whole scene. A long
trail of silver light lies on the dark sur
face of the river rolling along, and here
and there the c-+-ent swirls into sombre,
crucl-looking pools.
Just a little way below the bridge which
leads to the Botanical Gardens, on the
near side of the river, stands an old, d-
lapidated bathing house, with its long row
of dressing rooms, doorless and damp
ing. A broad, irregular wooden platform
is in front of these, and slopes gradually
down to the bank, from whence narrow,
crazy-looking steps, stretching the whole
>bS ~ 49, III 50 ~ ~
the sullen waters. And all this covered
with black and green slime, with whole
armies of spiders weaving grey, dusky
webs in odd corners, and n broken-down
fence on the left half buried in bush rank
grass-an evil-looking place even in the
daytime, and ten times more evil-looking
and uncanny under the light of the moon,
which fills it with vague shadows. The
rough, Shiny platform is deserted, and
nothing is heard but the squeaking and
scampering of the water rats.
Suddenly a black shadow comes glid-
in galong the narrow path by the river
bank, and pauses a moment at the en-
trance to the platform. Then it listens
for a few minutes, and again hurries
down to the crazy looking steps. The
black shadow standing there, like the
genius of solitude, is a woman, and she
has apparently come to add herself to the
list of the cruel-looking rivers victims. |
Standing there, with one hand on the
rough rail, and starHg with fascinated
eyes on the dull muddy water, she does
not hear a step behind her. The shadow
of a man, who has apparently followed
her, glides from behind the bathing shed,
and stealing down to the woman on the
verge of the stream, lays a delicate white
iidNu oh utL SuoulutI. Due luIuS Will II |
startled cry, and Kitty Marchurst and
CASTOR Vandeloup are looking into one
anether's eyes.
Kitty's charming face is worn and pal
lid, and the hand which clutches her shawl
is trembling nervously as she gazes at
her husband. There he stands, dressed
in old black clothes, worn and tattered
looking, with his fair auburn hair all
tangled and matted; his chin covered with
a short, stubby beard of some weeks
growth, and his face gaunt. and haggard-
looking-the very same appearance as he
had when he landed in Australia. Then
he sought to preserve his liberty now he
is seeking to preserve his life. They gaze
Mt one another in a fascinated manner for
a few moments, n then CASTOR removes
his hand from the girls shoulder with a
sardonic laugh, and she buries her face in
her hands with a stiied sob.
80 this is the end" he said, pointing
to the river, and fixing his scintillating
eyes on the girl this is the end of our
lives for you the river-for me, the hang
man"
Heaven help me-" she moaned, piteous-
ly; what else is left to me but the
river?"
Hope" he said, in a low voice; '.you
are young; you are beautiful: you can
yet enjoy life but" in a deliberate cruel
you will not, for the river claims
you as its victim
Something in his voice fills her with
fear, and looking up she reads death in
his face, and sinking on her knees she
holds out her helpless hands with a pity
ing cry for life.
Strange observed NJ. vandeloup,
with a touch of his old airy manner
you come to commit suicide and are not
afraid; l wish to save you the trouble,
and you are, my dear-you are illogical"
"No! no !" she mutters, twisting her
hands together, "I do not want to die
why do you wish to kill me p lifting her
wan face to his.
He bent down, and caught her waist
fiercely.
You ask me that?' he said, in a voice
of concentrated passion, you who, with
your long tongue, have put the hangman's
rope around my throat; but for you, l
would, by this time, have been on my way
to America, where freedom and wealth
await me. I have worked hard, and COM
United crimes for money, and now, when
I should enjey it, you, have dragged me
back to the Depths
Il did not make you commit the
crimes" she said, piteously.
bah !" with a scofing laugh, "who said
you did? l take my own sins on my own
shoulders but you did worse you betray-
ed me. Yes there is warrant out for my
arrest. for the murder of Pierre, l have
eluded the clever Melbourne police so far,
but ! have lived the life of a dog. l dare
not even ask for food, lest I betray my
self. l am starving l tell you, starving
and it is your work"
He flung her violently to the ground
and she lay there, a huddled heap of cloth
ing. while. with wild gesticulations, he
went on.
but I will not hang" he said, f%iercely
Octave Braulard, who escaped the gull
lotine. will not perish by a rope. No; l
have found a boat going to South America
and tomorrow l go on board of her, to
sail to Valparaiso; but before l so 1 set
tie with you"
She sprang suddenly to her feet with a
look of hate in her eyes.
You william y she said, through her
clenched teeth, 'you ruined my life. but
you shall not murder me :"
He caught her waist again. but he was
weak for want of food and she easily
wrenched it away.
stand back" she cried, retreating a
little.
You think to escape me- he almost
shrieked. all his smooth cynical mask fall
ling of mo, you will not: I will throw
81 u - T. $50 .N 1