Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-07-11
A Tistieoh. Anniversary WAR Story
BY RANDALL PARRISH
COPYRIGHT. 1909. BY A. c. mcclure & co.

"Please, gentlemen. do not quarrel,
at least not here, not now. Sec,
stand between you"
Lieutenant King is very slow in de-
livering his weapons" said Donald
quietly. HE has perhaps forgotten
am the victor here"
The words were plainly threat, but
1t was the look in her eyes that decid-
ed me.
"You overpowered me with your
strength" / returned coldly, "but the
only one I have surrendered to In this
house is Miss Denslow. give her my
weapons, not you"
"oh, as you please" his lips still
smiling. Jean. dear, disarm the fell
low and let us get at other work"
Jean. dearH The words stung, they
endearment, yet as she held out her
hands placed my revolvers in them,
noting the flush upon her clear cheek,
the sudden dropping of lashes over her
eyes. felt that I understood It all
now, my heart heavy from the discov
ery-her dislike Of Calvert Dunn arose
from her love for Jem Donald. had
been a fool, dreaming the bright,
tinted dreams OF fool. But I would
keep that secret to myself; neither
he nor she should ever know.
"And now that am disarmed,
Colonel Donald, what do you propose
doing with mel"
AS you are Miss Denslow's pris-
oner, rather than NINE" he answered
carelessly, II propose doing nothing
more serious than to see you do not
escape. She, believe, has placed you
upon parole within the limits Of this
house. Is this true, Jean?'
She lifted her eyes to his face as If
to read his real purpose behind the
kindly banter Of his voice; then, smil-
ing, glanced at me.
Yes, paroled. on the word Of an
officer and gentleman"
Good! I accept the same, believing
Lieutenant King will Justify my faith.
Now let us work together and search
the house, beginning with the library"
/ We passed into tho dimly lighted
room together, but l permitted the
two to advance, thinking 1t best not
to arouse the vitriolic tongue Of the
Judge and hence keeping well back
within the shadows. His was a
strange posture in which to sleep SO
long, his head lying sideways upon
his arm, with face partially upturnedi
toward the light. Suddenly Jean ut.
tered startled cry, SO full Of alarm
us to cause ING to leap forward.
saw Donald lift the head of the old
man, then drop 1T and stare about in
dazed bewilderment. The man was
dead dead, with a knife wound in the
throat.
We realized the truth, all Of us at
the same moment, yet were unable to
comprehend its full significance, star
ing first at the dead man and then
into one another's faces In bewil-
derment beyond expression. To me it
came like fresh accusation, new
link in tho chain binding me. Dead!
Killed in the same manner and by the
same hand that had stricken down Ma
varre!
l saw the girl drop upon her knees,
burylng her face upon the nearest
chair; then Donald, with lips firm set
and white face. lifted the emaciated
form tenderly, crossed the room with
1t in his arms and placed it outstretch-
ed upon the sofa. For moment of
silence he stood there motionless, gaz-
ing down upon the CHASTITY counte-
nance, his shoulders bent, his giant
form casting a shapeless shadow upon
the wall. Then be turned and looked
me sternly. searchingly In the eyes.
What have you TO say to this?'' he
questioned bluntly, pointing with one
hand back at the body. IF you have
been on guard, sir, how could this
have happened 2"
1.-THE deed must have been done be-
fore was released. When first e..ss.= *
ed In here Judge Dunn rested in the
same position in which you found
him"