Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1911-05-06
CHAPTER XVI.

most the consistency OF a cloud when
Gordon leaped the wall and set his face
toward the iron works. Or. rather, II
was like the depths Of translucent
sea In which the distant electric lights
OF Mountain View avenue shone as
blurs OF phosphorescent life on one
hand, and the great dark bulk of Leb-
anon doomed as the massive founda-
lions OF a shadowy island on the other
Farther on. the recurring fare from
the tall vent OF the blast-furnace light
ed the haze depths weirdly, turning the
mysterious sea bottom into fathomless
Abysses of dull-red incandescence for
the few seconds of its duration-a
slow lightning fash submerged and
half extinguished.
Gordon was passing the country col
ony's church when one of the torch
like flares Redeemed on the night, and
the glow picked out the gilt cross at
the top OF the sham Norman tower.
He flung up a hand involuntarily. as If
to put the emblem. and that for which
II stood. out OF his life. At the same
instant a Whit of the acrid smoke from
the distant furnace fires tingled in his
nostrils, and he quickened his pace.
The hour for which all other hours had
been waiting had struck Love had
called, and religion had made its silent
protest; but the smell IN his nostrils
was the smoky breath of Mammon. the
breath which has maddened a world:
he STROBE on doggedly. thinking only of
his triumph and how he should pres
emily compass 1t.
The two great poplar-trees, sentinel
ing what had once been the gate of the
old Gordon homestead. had been spared
through all the Industrial changes.
ha hux he x.rfrlr Of
to pass on to the Lighthouse offices, an
armed man stepped from behind one of
the trees. his gunbutt drawn up to
strike. Before the blow could fall, the
furnace flare blazed aloft like a mighty
torch, and the man grounded his weap-
on.
II beg your pardon. Mr.. Gordon; I
took ye for somebody else" he stam-
mered; and Tom scanned his face
sharply by the light of the burning
gases.
Whom for instance" he queried
why e-yeh-I reckon 1t don't make
any difrrence-my telhn you; yout
ought to have II in for him, too I wa,
his hind legs and calls hisself Vim
Farley"
WHO are your" Tom demanded.
Kincald's my name, and I'm s'pose,
to be one o. the strike guards; least
wise, that's what hired out for lit
tie spell ago. 1 couldn't think OF mare
better way o. gettin' at"
Gordon interrupted bruskly. "Tel
me what you owe Vint Farley. II you
debt is bigger than mine, you shal
have the first chance"
The gas flash came again Their
was black wrath In the mans eyes.
go col
Tom-Jefr Gordon. Late yeste da
evenin, when me and Nan Bryerso
drove to town for your Uncle Silas
marry us, she told me what I'd bee
mistrustin' for a month back-ths
Vint Farley was the daddy O. her chi
lern. He's done might nigh ever'thin
short O. KILN her to make her swes
'em on to you; and I allowed I'd je
put OFF goin' back West till I'd fixed h
lynn face scat no yuther woman
ever look at 1t"
Gordon staggered and leaned again
the fence palings. the red rage OF mu
der boiling In his veins. Here, at las
was the key to all the mysteries; u
source OF all the cruel gossip; Il
foundation OF the wall of separate
that had been built up between
love and Ardea- When he could tru
himself to speak he asked a questio
who knows this. besides yourself
your Uncle Silas. for one; he a
lowed he wouldn't marry us less'n 81
told him. 1 might nigh blieve he h;
his suspicious. too. He let on like
was Farley that told him on you. yea
ago. when you was a boy"
He did7 Then Farley was one
the three men who saw us up yond
at the barrel spring.
Yes; and was another one OF 81
was right hot at you that mornin'
shore was
..Wen, who else knows about itT'
Brother Bill Layne. and Au
M'randy, and Japhe Pettigrass. Tn
all went In town to stan up with
and Nam
Then Tom remembered the fgu
coming swiftly across the lawns a
the call of the voice he loved. II
Japheth told her. and was she haste
ing to make such reparation as S
could7 No matter, II was too late nc
The fierce hatred OF the wounded ga
age was astir in his heart and It wo,
not be denied or silenced.
GIVE me that gun, and you sh
have your first chance" he conced
IT make but one condition: II you !
him, I'll kill you"
IT was only allowin' to Spite his Il
some, and rock II 90 TOT mat
can have what's left O. him after
thoo-and it'n be enough to kill.
reckon"
At the moment OF weapon-passi
there came sounds audible above
sob and sigh of the blowing engines
a clatter OF horses hoofs and
grinding Of carriage wheels on
pike. Gordon signed quickly to K
caid and drew back carefully beh
the bole of the opposite poplar.
II was the Warwick Lodge sun
and Il stopped at the gate. Two n
got out and went up the path, and
instant later. Kincaid followed steal
ny.
Gordon waited for the next gas-ns
and by the light OF II he threw