The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1908-01-23
CHApTER xxu.--(Continued.l


lie. who. looking at his watch, spoke q
Eew words with Henry, In an undertone
and FASTENED from the apartment, fol.
bowed by Frances. The subject of their
<,onyersation was a wish expressed by the
prisoner for clergyman of his own per-
9uasion, and promise from the major,
chat one should be sent from Fishkill
eswn, through which he was about TO pass
sn his way to the ferry to intercept the
expected return Of Harper. Mason soon
anade his bow at the door, and willingly
~ounpIied with the wishes of the landlady
and the divine was invited to make his
appearance accordingly.
He staIked into the room, and giving q
stiR nod with his head, took the chair
offered him by the black, In digniied ST.
1ence. Mr.. Wharton led Sarah from the
apartment His retreat was noticed by
the divine, in a kind Of scornful disdain,
who began to hum the air of popular
psalm tune, giving it the full richness OF
Che twang that distinguishes the Eastern
usalmody.
"C@saa' said Miss Peyton, hand the
~entleman some refreshment; he must
need it after his ride"
1ife," said the divine, speaking In a hol-
low, sepulehral voice. .Thrice have l
<his day held forth in my masters ser
vice, and tainted not"
"I apprekend, then, sir, that fatigue
will disable you from performing the
duties which kindness had induced you
90 attempt
Woman" exclaimed the stranger,
with energy, .when was ever known to
shrink from duty2 But Judge not, lest
ye be Judged and fancy not that 1t is
given to mortal eyes to fathom the in
Eentions Of the Deity"
NAY, / prete2d not to judge of either
events, or the Intentions of my fellow
creatures, much less Of those of Omnipo-
tence.r
AsTis we'll, wcman-'tis WELL" cried
che minister, waving his hand with super
eilious disdain; humility becometh thy
sex, and lost condition; thy weakness
driveth thee on headlong, like unto the
bosom Of destruction"
Surprised at this extraordinary deport-
ment, yielding to that habit which urges
us to speak reyerently on sacred subjects,
even when perhaps we had better continue
silent, Miss Peyton said:
s'There is power above. that can and
viii sustain us all In well-doing, if we
seek it's support in humility and truth"
So saying, she withdrew, followed by
Che landlady, who was not little shock
Cd by the Incorporate zeal of her new nc
.Nuaintance.
Henry had with difficulty repressed the
'endignation excited by this unprovoked
attack on his meek and unresisting aunt;
knt as the door closed on her retiring fig
ure, he gave way to his feelings.
II must confess, sir" he exclaimed,
with heat, .'that in receiving a minister
of God l thought ] was admitting
Christian, and one who, by feeling his
own weaknesses, knew how to pity the
fraiities Of others. You have wounded
the meek spirit Of an excellent woman,
tand / acknowledge but little inclination
10 mingle in prayer with SO intolerant a
spirit."
n~.ahe minister stood erect, with grave
compogure, following with his eyes, in a
Kind of scornful pity, the retiring fe-
raalcs, and suffered the expostulation Of
the youth to be given as If unworthy of
Mis- notice. A third voice, however, spoke.
"Such a denunciatien would have
driven many women into fits; but 1t has
answered the purpose well enough, as
1t Is"
..Who's thatT' cried the prisoner, in
arnazement, gazing around the room in
quest of the speaker:
at Is 1, Captain Wharton" said Har-
~ey Birch, removing the spectacles, and
exhibiting his piercing eyes, shining un-
der pair Of false eyebrows.
"Gcod heavens-HarVey
~Silence ~ said the peddler, solemnly ;
~'tis a name not to be mentioned, and
least of all here, within the heart of the
American army" Birch paused, and
gaxed around him for a moment, with an
emotion exceeding the base passion Of
fear, and then continued, In a gloomy
tone, 'There are thousand halters In
that very name, and little hope would
there be left me Of another escape. should
Il be again taken. This is fearful ven-
ture that | am making: but i could not
sleep in quiet, and know that an inno-
cent man was about to die the death Of q
dog, when l might save him."
..No," said Henry, with glow of gen
-erous feeling on his cheek ''if the risk
to yourself be so heavy, retire as you
came and leave me TO my fate. Dun
woodie is making powerful exertions in
my behalf; and If he meets with Mr.. Har-
per in the course of the night, my liberia
zion Is certain"
Harper - echoed the peidler. remain
Eng with his hands raised, in the act OF
replacing the spectacles; what do you
know of Harper? and why do you think
he will do you service"
II have his promise-you remember
our recent meeting in my fathers dwell
ang, and be taen gave an unasked promise
% assist me"
"Yes-but do you know him2 that is
why do you think he has the power? OF
what reason have you for believing he
wlll remember his word?"
~If there ever was a stamp Of truth
- L.. A..