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

NO" gravely. "but our mountain
feuds are heartless. and mercy has
never been part of the code. Know
ing what l do of the past. cannot
blame Daniels for his suspicious.
Daniels discovered last night that his
home had been burned to the ground
and could gain no information rela.
tive to the whereabouts of his wife
and children. In despair and. nat
urally enough. believing some OF our
faction must have been concerned in
the outrage. he came here, stealing
in through the tunnel. He Glanced to
meet first With Lieutenant King and
learned of the mysterious woman who
has been doing such horrible things
in this house. His first thought was
that 1t might be his wife. crazed by
her sufferings aud seeking vengeance
Discovering that had seen this
strange woman's face and Knowing
that had also met his wife. he was
persuaded to come here and talk to
me in hope Of learning the truth. 1t
was a brave act and proves loyalty
Of the mans heart. | have given him
no pledge OF, safety. but | do now.
He is going from here unframed, on
my word of honor"
Donald stepped aside. leaving the
door partially open and unguarded.
Ais eyes were no longer on the noun
taineer. but upon the face of the girl.
81 respect his purpose and your i'm
piled pledge" he said gravely. WAS
the woman Mrs. Danielsy"
NO" her eyes falling before his
gaze and the whole expression of her
face softening. lit was face l had
never seen before"
could perceive the doubt in
Daniels's face. the vague suspicion of
treachery. Before be could move, how
ever, the girl. excited under the strain,
broke forth impulsively.
IL don't want this to go on! There
has been blood enough shed in these
mountains over a forgotten quarrel.
Won't, You men stop it? For the sake
of that woman. those children. home
less. won't you forget the past and
unite together in one cause? ] ask 1t
as woman
The thought was utterly beyond
Daniels. could see this In the steely
CLINT of the eyes fastened on Donald,
but the latter said:
II am not brute. Jean, and I have
fought because l was born into it
rather than from choice. If Daniels
h01f vyo r ho NO fr,1
between u.s."
He turned his head to look at the
other standing gaunt and grim. bit
of sunshine touching the grizzled hair.
What shall, it be. Daniels. peace or
warp
The silence of the mountaineer burst
under the stress of pentup passion, as
If some dam had given away. his
words tumbling over one another liz
torrent.
I'VE want me ter lie down now. dc
We? l didn't come we're ter talk ter ye
lem Donald III fight We any day ye
ever saw. but I'm goin' ter die hatin
ye"
l saw Donald take one step back
ward. Jean swept between US, and
then Daniels walked out, Jean chung
to Donald. her pleading face upturned
''All ask Is that you let him go
and that you make no effort to do
further injury. AS he says. you have
won: there is hardly a Daniels left to
continue the feud. Now we can afford
to forgive and forget. And you will,
l know you will''
There was Il moments silence. his
hands clasping her fingers. his grave
eyes upon her face.
will it make you glad to have my
promise. little girl?"
lit surely will"
"Then give 1t to you; no act OF
mine shall ever perpetuate the feud.'
He turned toward me. Naturally l
supposed Lieutenant King had gone
before this
II appreciate your generosity" /
said. but not so heartily as intended