The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-08-12
CHAPTER Xxx.
THE REVENGE OF MATTHEW
i HELLER

t.a.... --- . .
THE REVENGE OF MATTHEW
HELLER
The autumn landscape In the Seven
mountains Is sombre rather than gay.
There are few rock naples to furnish
the vivid yellows and scarlets. Here
and there a sassafras adds its splash
OF ochre, and O chestnut or q 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 to q
russell brown, and then at length to a
Vivid red n purple, as IL the year had
TO force h tree to obey the season,
and ,strangle it into submission. Late
Into the winter and wen into the
spring, the snags nat twist themselves
among the rocks cling with desperate
grip to their old leaves. loath to dis
close their deformity; n these yell
lowed and tattered rags give to the
winter ridges an indescribably desc
late and lifeless aspect.
But the Indian summer transflgures
the mountains, and drives away for q
time every trace of conferences. The
haze settles down like a veil over the
ridges. c~oncealing the sharp angles and
ragged gaps n scrawny trees, until
the ranges lie vague and dim, like sum-
mer clouds.
Ii was Sunday, the last day of oc-
tober. and the fiood-tide of the year.
There was not q movement In the
landscape; all was still as II the world
were dead; even h voice of the Run,
which SO dominates the little valley,
was lost in the haze. .
Beautiful! beautiful" whispered
Tom F~arthing, looking down at the
frail figure beside him. isn't 1t beau
tiful?"
81 ara e 49, len . In Cha NrAtnn Cha xHyn q
half reclining amid pillows, wan and
wistful-eyed, but fairer than he had
ever seen her before. He looked into
her face and drove more softly.
mo, 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 a folded
them into a little world where they
Two were alone--utterly and forever, 1t
yeemed. In that golden light-they two,
and alone
why. Tom, where are you taking
me?" she asked suddenly, arousing her.
self and looking about her.
"Oh, I'm just letting the horse go"
but. see-the old cabinl He's TAX
Ing us to the old cabinl" She looked
up into his face az IL In sudden alarm.
And why not?"
"Tom-pleasel Oh. you don't know
s
But let's not go home now. Iona"
he broke In pleadingly. TITS too beau
t,frl. Let's 60 in; you can rest a long
time before we start back. We can
be all alone-and it's so 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 al IL h were
a child In to the old sofa.
One moment: III get the pillows
There, you can rest now just as IL you
were In YOUR w room. Can't your
"Yes:. but, Tom-you don't know
And 7 don't care" he burst out with
passion In his voice. ooh, Iona, I don't
know 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. 81 wouldn't say
It while you were sick; I couldn't; but
you're better now, aren't you? and /
may say 1t now, mayn't II"
tom, / must tell you something"
no, no, DON'T" he pleaded.
but / must-I husband you'll hate
me
"Lona!"
ITS my brother-Leon-"
"Oh, Is that all? That's nothing. /
know all about that. It's just nothing
at all"
watt" She sat up suddenly among
tho pillows and looked Into his eyes
almost fiercely. 'It IL something, and
you will hate me. Listen to this: I
knew all winter they were In h cave;
j knew all about the robberies, and the
death of Karl Keichline."
"Ahl"
drowned I've been away with him on
blood: 1t came from GRAMMAR" She
poured out the words impetuously, as
IL eager to 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 h cave
knew II all the time-and, oh, your
"Lona-you're ni-don.t tell any more,
please"
.He was my brother-my twin, and he
wasn't wicked-only wild. 1t was Clin-
ca-he had him in his power. Oh, my
God, how / hate himl' 81 was sitting
bolt upright now. There was a dark
CHASTITY as It burned in the pale olive.
Her ayes glittered in their beady black
ness.
"Lona-pleasel"
"He said he loved me" The words
came almost in gasps. Il couldn't
avoid him. He said we must be mar
ried. He had me in his power. He
said he would give up Leon or kill him
II I wouldn't marry him. He told me
80, and he could hav done It,"
why didn't you tell me-. Iona? /
told you I'd help YOU"
II couldn't. He saw you that night.
He swore IL he saw us together again
he would kill you In a minute and hide
you In the cave. And he would have
done 1t; he was capable OF 1t; and not
q soul would have known. I couldn't
tell you. My father made me swear
when he was dying that I would never