Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-07-23
The House of the Black
: ..'... Ring e.,,s..'. 1905

oH, LII kidu you We come. EllEnl
In this way. Don't stop for anything
He lmost lifted her bodily from the
seat, and they rushed together into the
house. closing the door behind them.
AT once all was dark n silent
Amos sat for a moment gazing blankly
at the place where they had vanished
then he swore softly.
Wal-Ill-be-dumbfuzzledl"
But nothing could long discomfort
Amos. 1t was evident that Mrs. Earth
ings stay was to be no short one: II
was equally evident that nothing was
required of him-at least for the pres
ent. Accordingly, he found a place for
his horse, sought out a comfortable
seat. and lighted his pipe. Thus forth
ned, he prepared for a long siege.
Mosquitoes sang their shrill songs
about him, a whip-poor-will came at
length within a few feet of where he
sat, so near hat he could distinctly
hear the chuck" at the end of each bar
or MS score. The neal Run filed the
night with It's drowsy monotone. Amos
leaned against the side of the house.
and then dozed off with his pipe still
In HIS mouth.
he was awakened by a stealthy step
very near him, but, though bewfldered,
ne did not move or make a sound. A
a crept silently through the yard,
opened h back door of the kitchen.
and passed In. That was not Toms
step, nor Poppy Miller's. He listened
intently and after a time heard he
humble of a voice within, but he could
catch no syllable. There was some
thing strange about the affair.
Perhaps he could peer In at a win
dow, but the windows were not easy
TO locate In the old structure. Two he
round after cautious accommodating, but
they were closed and tightly blinded.
Then he stole to the other side and
found a window partly open. He lifted
himself cautiously.
1t was the window to what appeared
to be h pantry. The apartment be-
yond seemed to be feebly lighted, as
with q candle.
All was silent. Then, by listening
hard, he heard a low sound as of some
one muttering disjointedly, but he
u make out no lords Suddenly
sharp and clear rang out Squire Harris
wick's voice. There was no mistak-
ing 1t.
but who put ii on, l want to know?'
There was both fear and anger in the
tone, Who was it? Did All Farthing
put it on?"
Again Amos heard nothing save the
low monotone.
Here, damn it! quit that! Look me
IN the eye, and stop that jabbering!
You can scare me, you blasted old
witch, with any such rigmarole g that.
Speak up. or I'll put you where you be-
long. You mean Rose came here?"
The reply was audible now. 1t arose
In a wailing tremolo, and it gathered
force as 1t went on until it became al
most a Shrek.
"Ha, ha, ha she comes here. She
comes to see me, and shan't L help her
when she loves the very air he breathes,
when his eyes have looked at her and
she can't sleep, when he'll have his re-
venge? Ha, ha. ha! Let him look to
his daughters she well? is she
happy? is she fair now?"
Here. quit 1t; do you mean jim
"Ah. look-look-seei The old man,
father-let me count his hours.
one, two, tire, four"
stop. you damned bag! stopi"
Five six seven-oh. it's not long
eonugh to be worth the counting
"What--"
Then she'll marry him.-ha, ha, hal!
she'll marry him, and they'll divide ii
up-oh, it'll be merry! All these years
he's shaved for 'em and sold out his
very soul for 'em. And she'll marry
him-See, those eyes, there's revenge |
In EN-. All, my God! Matthew Heller, !
got revenge
"Stop!" Numbered the old man, but
at that moment there was commotion |
In front. Amos turned automatically. |
Run right In, doctor: don't stop to
1t was Jim's voice.
The kitchen door opened softly, and
Squire Hartwick stole around the house
and down the road, passing not six
feet from the man under the window.
"On after the sheriff, I'll bet yeh,"
mumbled Amos, under his breath. Then
he went out to interview Jim.