Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-08-13
Xxx.

CHAPTER Xxx.
THE REVENGE OF MATTHEW
HELLER.
The autumn landscape in the Seven
mountains lis sombre rather than gay.
There are few rock naples TO furnish
the vivid yellows and scarlets. Here
and there a sassafras adds it's splash
OF ochra, and a chestnut or a she'll
bark varies the scene With its pale
lemon. but the ruling tints are dull.
The scrub-oak, which dominates every
scene, turns late in the season 20 a
russell brown, and then at length 70 a
livid red and purple, as IL the year had
TO force the tree to obey the season.
and strangle IL into submission. Late
into the winter and ever into the
spring. h snags that twist themselves
among the rocks cling with desperate
grip to their old leaves, loath to dis
close their deformity: and these yell
lowed and tattered rags give to the
winter ridges an in~describably desc
late and ~lifeless aspect.
But the Indian summer transfigures
the mountains, and drives away for a
time every trace OF sombreness. The
haze settles down like a veil over the
ridges, concealing the sharp angles and
ragged gaps and scrawny trees, until
AhA1 UhtE1 IN Ho6 AS 1AA6 AAAh "a 1880
mer clouds.
1t was Sunday. the last day OF Oc-
tober, and the fiood-tide OF the year.
There was not a movement In the
landscape: all was still as IL the world
were dead: even the voice of the Run,
which so dominates the little valley.
was lost In the haze.
Beautiful! beautiful" whispered
Tom Farthing. looking down at the
trail figure beside him. Isn't 1t beau
tifui?'
yes, too beautiful to last" There
was weakness 4 the voice. h was
half reclining amid pillows. wan and
wistful- eyed. hut fairer than he a
ever seen her before. He o O ed into
her face and drove more softlw.
NO, no, Iona he pleaded, don't
say that. Please don't" Then they
were silent again, while the great sun
shone on them and the soft haze folded
them into a little world where they
two were alone-utterly n forever. 1t
veemed, In that golden light-they two.
and alone.
why, Tom, where are you taking
me7n she asked suddenly. arousing her
self and looking about her.
"Oh, I'm just letting the horse CO.
but, see--the old cabinl He's TAX
ing us 10 the old cabinl" She looked
up into his face as IL in sudden alarm.
And why not?"
.Tom-pieasel On. you don't know
but let's not go nome now. Iona"
he broke In pleadingIy. TITS too beau
tiful. Let's go In; o can rest a long
time before we start back We can
be all alone--and It's 50 beautiful"
But, Tom
All ready" He had alighted and
was standing by the wheel. Come"
He lifted her unresisting from the
buggy, and carried her as IL she We're
a child In TO the old sofa.
One moment; Til get the pillows
There, you can rest now just as IL you
were In YOUR own room. Can't your
Yes; but, Tom-you don't know
And L don't care" he burst out with
passion In his voice. "Oh. Iona, l don't
krow anything. only that I love YOU"
He knelt impulsively, SO that he could
look up into her eyes. and took both
OF her hands in his. II wouldn't say
ii while you were sick; | couldn't. but
you're better now, aren't your and !
may say II now. mayn't III"
Tom, / must tell you something
mo. no DON'T he pleaded.
but / must-I husband you'll hate
me-
.Lonal"
.It's my brother-Leon-t'
"Oh, Is that all? That's nothing. !
know all about that. It's just nothing
at all"
waltz" she sat up suddenly among
the pillows n looked into his eyes
almost flercely. 'It 10 something, and
you will hate me. Listen TO this:
knew ali winter they were in the ave;
I knew ali about the robberies, and the
death OF Karl Keichline."
"Ahip
II always knew Leon wasn't
Z--A Tfa.- A~A. ~wtxw x.st his ~
the road-to the city. We're of gypsy
blood; II came from Gran'maw.' She
poured out Il words i~mpetuously, as
Ii eager 10 tell the worst. Leon fell
IN with Clinca. and--and they got into
trouble. They had to run for their
lives. I knew they were In the cave
knew Il all the time--and, oh, you'll
"Lona-you're il--don't tell any more,
He was my brother-my twin, and he
wasn't w~icked-only wild. II was Clin-
ca--he had him in his power. oh, M
God. how | hate him." She was sitting
holt upright now. There was q DARK
fj,1eh Of red In either cheek. almost
~hastIv a. il burned in the pale olive
Her eyes glittered In their beady black
"Lona-please!"
,.He eaId he loved me-" The words
came almost In gasps. 4 couldn't
avoid him. He said WE must be mar
Fled. He had me In his power. IA
xnid he would give up Leon or kill him
= and lie could have one II"
.Whv didn't YOU tell me. Iona? !
told b ia help you"
t:7 couidn't. He raw you that night
IL s~,6Se IL he eaW us together again
IT. would mi You ~ = a:satits aud hidt