Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-06-09

Stark checked himself, for he found
he was rejoicing in his cncmy's defeat
and was in danger of betraying him
self to the girl. In every encounter the
young man had bested him, and these
petty defeats had crystallized his an
tipathy to Burrell into hatred SO
strong that he had begun to lie awake
nights planning systematic quarrel.
He had brooded over his quarrel
with Gale and the lieutenant ever since
their first clash, for In this place they
furnished the only objects upon which
his mania could work, and it was n
mania, the arrangement of diseased.
distorted mind.
$50 you like him too much to stand
in his way" he said meditativcly.
How does your father look Mt lit"
"Hc wants the lieutenant to marry
me. He says he will fix 1t up all
right. But be doesn't understand.
How could hep
"You are doing just right" concur
red the man hypocritically. "and you'll
live to be glad you stood out" Now
\ SduL DOll AAlS CuSlllSS ueSiISu luls
thing he was set on preventing it re-
| gardless Of the girl. How did the
lieutenant take it when you refused
him?"
He wouldn't take it at all. He only
laughed and declared he would marry
me anyhow" The very thought thrill
ed her.
"Does he know you love him"
The tender. sobbing laugh she gave
was ample answer.
well, what's your plan?"
."I-I-I don't know. l am so torn
and twisted with 1t all that can't
ltplan, but / have thought I-ought-to
go-away."
Good" he said quickly, but his nc.
had the contrary effect. and she burst
out impulsively:
"Oh-I can't-I can't! can't go away
and never see him! can't do 1t!
want to stay where he is" She had
been holding herself in stubbornly. but
at last gave way with reckless aban
don. "Why wasn't born white like
! OluSl ShtS. We HCNcl I'LL ilhS I'LL III
dian. I've always dreamed and fan.
cied l was different, and am In my
soul. 1 know am! The white is SO
strong in me that it has killed the rcd,
and I'm one of fathers people. I'm
not like the other two. They are brown
and silent and as cold as little toads.
But I'm white and full of life all over.
/ l,n
that see in my dreams. They never
have my visions Of the beautiful snow
| white mother with the tender mouth
and the sad eyes that always smile ut
! me-"
| "You have visions of such things,
chg"
eyes, but came a generation late,
that's all, and I've got that other wo-
mans soul. I'm not half breed. I'm
not me at all. I'm Merridy-Merrldy!
That's who l am"
Her face was turned away from him,
SO that she did not notice the frightful
effect her words had upon Stark.
where did you get-that namcT'
His voice was pitched in different
key now. Then after a moment he
added, "From the story l told you at
the mine that night. l supposeY
"Oh, no." she answered. 1--WE al
ways had it, though they call me Ne
ella. NIcrridy was my fathers mother.
guess I'm like her in many ways, for
l often imagine she is part Of me-
that her spirit Is mine. It's the only
way can account for the sights !
! see"
Your fathers mothcr?" he said me-
chemically. That's queer" He SEEM
ed to be trying to shake himself free
from something. Its hcredity, sup
pose. You have visions Of white WO-
man, woman named Mcrridy, Ell"
Suddenly his manner changed, and he
spoke so roughly that she looked at
him in vague alarm.
How do you know? How do you
know she was his mother?"
"He told me So"
Stark snurled. HE lied!'
II can show you her wedding ring.
I've always worn It," She fumbled for
the chain about her neck, but 1t eluded
her trembling fingers. ut has her
name in it-'From Dan to Merridy.'"
Stark's hand darted forward and tore
the thing from her. shoulders. Then he
thrust 1t under the lamp and giared at
the inscription. while his fingers shook
so that he could barely distinguish thk:
words. His eyes were blazing AMI hihs
face livid.
Necia cried out but he dropped the,
ornament and seized her tiercely, lift
ing her from the chair to her feet.
Then with one swift. downward clutch