Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-08-15

the demands OF the blood feud. was
yet ut heart II real man. his heart
wrung by sorrow and weak as a child
in suffering
Il am so glad can assure you OF
this. Mr.. Daniels" she said softly.
III never saw your wife except that
once But she was kind to me when
needed kindness, and have never
felt the s;,ne bitterness since. Surely
between you and me there is no
quarrel. would rather help than In
lure you. Will you not take my
handy"
The man raised his head. staring at
her in establishment.
Yer mean. miss. we are ter be
frieEds?"
Certainly. Why should we remain
enemicS:"
IL don't understand" he STAN
mered. "Ther feud. Their years of
hghtin'. Don't yer suppose l know
VIII" yer be-"
Yes. of course you know" her slen-
der form strengthening. but her hand
still outstretched. Yet If can for
to act and feel like a woman. not a
tiend. l don't hate you. Bill Daniels.
don't hate your wife or your children.
would rather do YOU good than evil.
Can't you understand that? Can't YOU
forget who am and accept my hand
III the same spirit with which offer
liz"
AS God is my witness. there We're
actually tears shining In the mans
cold gray eyes. but thought be would
never move. never answer He ap
leared paralyzed. stricken r1otioness
had been convusively gripping the
arm of the chair, seemed to steal forth
without voltion. touched hers and
chung to it in pitiful uncertainty.
II am glad YOU came" she said SIM
ply, her voice trembling slightly. IL
have wanted to talk with you alone for
three years-ever since began to be a
woman. Put have been afraid Of
you. Ever since ! was child have
been taught that. and 1t is hard to
break away. You are only like the
rest of us-iille Colonel Donald. like
Judge Dunn--you were born into this
feud. and have fought and hated be-
cause you knew nothing else. ] want
you to see this as do. You have to
think of me rs friend. want you
IN + tNv orJ prjo dc
"Who do yer mean. miss"
"Those you have fought all your life
-.Tem Donald
mot in IL thousan' years." Daniels
interrupted holly. dropping her hand
as If 1t were a coal of fire and rails
in. his gaunt form from the chair
We're II woman. an somehow yer
came nj me iist right: but It's goin
ter take tightin. and plenty OF it..
afore Jem Donald an me settle our
trouble Thar's too many dead folks
an burned houses atween us fer any
SIGH foolishneSs. Ye've got us about
wiped out: what was left afore Their
war has been finished by these we're
lose i'll ther hills. come back we're.
an everywhar l go it's dead Dan
iels; an yer ask me ter be PEACEFUL"
He Strengthened up. his eyes hard.
II tell ye want my wife an kids
first. amt got nuthin' special agin
you. Miss Jean. ! reckon faint your
fault we're what yer are: but fer Jem
Donald an tibet young calf Of Dunn,
I'm layin' till l either git 'em er they
git me. I.eftenant. I'm n-goin' ter git
out O. we're feel like was caught in
trap"
He took one step toward the door,
then leaped back ward, his knife out.
and cleaning in his hand. Standing
with back to the entrance. | neither
saw nor heard anything. but jeans
face went instantly white. and her
fingers convulsively gripped the dress
err Then the knife dropped to the
floor and Daniels arms were elevated.
II reckon yer got me" be said, the
Donald stood in the doorway. his face
like that Of q statue. the black muz-
zle of revolver covering the noun
taineer Donald alone seemed cool.
self possessed and capable Of action.
II hardly understand the nature Of
this little gathering" he said slowly.
land it may be am not welcome, but
l am glad to see you. Bill Daniels, and
! advise you to keep those hands up
until say otherwise. Jean. what are
you doing hereI'
These questions aroused her instant
ly. the color flooding back to her
cheeks. Her first feeling was evident
ly that of Indignation.
Il refuse to answer" she exclaimed.
standing erect before him. until you
lower that revolver. Daniels is unarm-
ed and here to meet me upon mis-
sion of peace"
Donald's face pictured his surprise,
but he made no attempt to question
her word. saw his eyes wander from
her face to that of the mountaineer.
Then he showed the gun back into his
belt
Very well. little GIRL" his tone care
1.,ccIv nood h,1rora6 ssVn,, con dron