The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-06-17
york. The fences are stitches.

" ~ ~ HI a ~ A0tANE aAINI tANkAiC0 EE
Sure enough-zigzag, crazy stitches.s
yes" For a moment they looked
out silently over the valley.
The twilight was beginning to fade
the picture. The great shadow OF
Roaring Ridge was creeping rapidly
out toward Nance Mountain, They
were at the west end of the valley, The
sharp notch of the Run was close to the
right; just below them amid the scrub
oak tangle was the Heller cabin; and
to the left OF IL nestled the buildings of
Aller Farthing. A straight line from
them 20 Poppy Miller's would pass
close by the cabin.
do you know ali the ridges and
gapsg' she went on animatedly. Sec
over there; that second ridge is the
Alleghanies."
Yes
"rhe main range. Over there, "-she
pointed suddenly-"is Turkey Run.
That break beyond it is Blair's, with
old Grayble to the left. That's the Bald
Eagle, aid right beyond 1t is the
Juniata."
Can you see the Juniata from here? -
mo, but you can see the valley. See
that green spot--that long, narrow
strip Of light green? See ?" He was very
close to her now. Suddenly he turned
and caught her hand in his.
Iona" he said ~passionately, II love
you"
No, no. no, no." she gasped. you
mustn't-you mustn't say that" She
rose as If frightened, and tried to free
her hand.
and why mustn't I--why mustn't
], Lona?" he pleaded holly.
looked him full in the eyes and in
stantly he dropped her hand. II mean
just what / say. You must promise
not to come again. You must promise
never to come to the Run again. /
forbid it."
FORBID it?" he echoed blankly.
II forbid It," n repeated with cold
emphasis. You'll not come again. It's
best-for you. Goodbye" With her
eyes full upon him in a gaze hat was
hypnotic in its intensity, she sidled
slowly ver the edge of the ridge.
acknowledgement obey me-" she
repeated, holding UP her hand warm
ingly. Remember" He felt himself
pcsyerless to or eve speak; he
could only gaze at her absorbedly while
she backed down the rocks toward the
gap. Then neal a jutting spur OF
sandstone she wheeled suddenly about
and ran. On the instant he felt as IL
he had been released from a spell
"Ch, Iona" he cried, II can't. Stop,
Iona" He leaped down over the
rocks in reckless haste.
JUS at the edge of the scrub oaks
the girl stopped abruptly and faced
him. They had reached the azalea
again; ii famed all about her, framing
her like a picture.
"Why do you follow me?' she burst
out almost petulantly. ...
II couldn't help 1t. Oh, / don't un-
derstand 1t at all. Iona, what is It?
Tell newly can't I conner"
IF I say it's death If you persist"
she whispered intensely, us that
enough?' "a"
Death to your x
mo" a#Et.
Then it's o enough he burst out
with passion. ITS not enough" BY a
sudden impulse he caught her in his
arms. "
"Oh, Iona" he cried, a torrent OF
passion rushing I'VE him, II love you
I love you'll" She made a movement to
free herself, but he held her fast.
mo. no, no. she cried, as If in alarm.
II mustn't mustn't"
why mustn't you, Lena? Why can't
you love me? Oh, can't you, Lona2"
He crushed her to him almost fiercely
and tried to o down into her eyes.
She did not struggle now she looked
up into his a c suddenly. .
Yes she whispered.
'What?-What?-You love me?'
'T'd die for you, Tom"
y "ny-WHy, LOHd. 10 you mean III z
You love me?" He held her at arms
length and looked into her eyes.
Yes, Tom Then suddenly he felt
her shudder as II with cold; she threw
up her hands to her face. "Oh, what
have I done?' she sobbed bewilderedly,
'oh what have / done?" She broke
away almost violently.
"No, no, no." she cried. my God,
you mustn't. / didn't mean It'll didn't
say It." 80.
Iona ..s -.
ITS too late, Tom" Instantly she
was calm again. cts impossible. You
must go. ] can't tell you why, but
you must. If you love me at all, you'll
do 1t. Promise me that you'll not try
to see me again" .
Iona, you don't know what you're
saying. I can't won't"
Promise me-" she repeated. Her
eyes black and compelling, were on him
again. Somehow he felt himself
strangely helpless as she looked at him.
But why, Iona? Tell me why he
gasped.
Promise me"
Butch, Iona" "#.
Promise me-"
." promise" he said family. But.
Iona
You have promised. Remember. r
shall hold you to your promise"
Iona, you're cruel-you're hurting
me-"
I'm kind, Tom. You'll know m
time. Goodby, Tom" He fancied there
was a choke in the voice. .