The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-07-22
The House Of the Black
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-....
ooh, I'm glad you've come. Right
! n this way. Don't stop for anything"
He almost lifted her bodily from the
seat, n they rushed together into the
house. closing the door behind them.
At once all was dark and silent.
Amos sat for a moment gazing blankly
at the place where they had vanished,
then he swore softly.
Wal-T1l-be-dumbfuzzledI"
But nothing could long discomfort
Amos. 1t was evident that Mrs. Earth
fng's 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 q comfortable
seat, and lighted his pipe. Thus forth
fled, he prepared for a long siege.
Mosquitoes sang their shri,l songs
about him, a whip poor-will came at
length within a few feet of where he
sat, so near that he could distinctly
hear the chuck" at the end OF each bar
OF his score. The near Run filled the
night with It's drowsy monotone. Amos
leaned against the side OF the house,
and then dozed OF with his pipe still
In his mouth.
He was awakened by a stealthy step
very near him, but, though bewildered,
he did not move or make a sound. A
. a crept silently through the yard,
opened the back door OF the kitchen,
and passed In. That was not Toms
step, nor Poppy Miller's. He listened
intently n after a time heard the
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
found after cautious accommodating, but
L fhnNg. nyana AIDanI - l~lAr AIS-IA
Then he stole to the other side and
found a window partly open. He lifted
himself cautiously.
II was the window to what appeared
to be the 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 d~isjointedly, but he
could make out no words. Suddenly
sharp n clear rang out Squire Harts-
wick's voice. There was no mistak-
ing 1t.
Bat who put 1t on. 1 want to known
There was both fear and anger in the
tone. who was 1t? Did AL Farthing
put 1t on?"
Again Amos heard nothing ave the
low monotone.
Here, damn It! quit that! Look me
In the eye and stop that Jabbering!
You can't 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 IL gathered
force as II went on until it became al
most a shrek.
"Ha, ha, ha! she comes here. She
comes to see me, and shan't / help her
when h loves the very air he breathes,
when his eyes have looked at her and
she can't sleep, when he'll have his re-
yenge9 Ha, ha, ha! Let him look to
his daughters she we'll? is she
happy2 is she fair now? ?"
Here, quit it; do you mean Jim
Farthing?"
'Ah. look-look-see! The old man
her father--let me count his hours
One. two, tire. four
stop, o damned bag! stop!"
Tive six seven-oh, it's not Ions
eonugh to be worth the countng-
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 'em. All, my God! Matthew Heller,
you've 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
rap" 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
"Off after the sheriff. I'll bet yeh,'
mumbled Amos, under his breath. Then
he went out to interview Jim.