The Washington herald., 1913-08-24
CHAPTER XI-Continued.


Il heard this morning-and Brother
Andrews told me-that you were on
the creek road talking with some one
in a red machine"
"Yes-this morning" She did not
falter; she was as stolid as he.
The McFetridge motor car, snort
ing, grinning scarlet devil, charging, OF
a Sunday, about the stiffness of the
roadside was ruthless in his analysis,
for he knew. They brought you home
from town this morning, but they
dared not come to the door"
No" she retorted. 1T was Just a
little ride"
"Ah, Lord" the wife cried from the
chamber, "the girl, she'll have her name
up more than it wasl The papers and
all-Lord save u.s. And ridin' with a
Jew on Sunday mor1ingF
BE STILL" John went on, stolidly. Il
hear more than that. Girl, can you
pray with US all tonight? p"
Pray"
with a clean soul ?"
She looked at his eyes, the deep eyes
of a prophet, and she could not an
swer; She paled and muttered, and half
turned to look at the little rosary hang
ing over the frame of her dresser
among her trinkets.
q hear" he continued, with an aw-
full deliberation, as one who had fore
ordained his judgment and his course,
that you are going on the stageP
She started-she could not imagine
that he knew. And yet all the town
must know, must be amazed at this
freak of the McFetridge twins. Papa
Lindstrom," she said, with a sudden
brightness, will you listen to me? 1t
will be a fine thing for US all-the
money can make"
Answer he shouted, and stung the
table with his blow; 'the TRUTH"
Yes" she answered steadily, her
eyes going to hard rebellion.
May God strike you dead frst!"
Knute looked up, dumb and shiver-
ing. The mother put her head from
the bedroom. "Ah, John" she cried,
she's a good girl, with it all, john"
BE still" he said. This beauty of
hers-Td burn it off her if l could"
He got up and paced the kitchen, his
lined face twitching. Cleanse her,
Lord" he muttered: put this foul
thing from her, Lordl" And from the
"Olld44y SODulllS 10" III llC NLldlllDGLs
came wailing "Amen"
The girl stood in her robe of autumn
leaves. Mother, the money l could
earn! And you know how we all need
money"
John stopped before her. "Helrs
money! Harlot's money" He sud-
denly grasped her wrist. Eth, this face
of yours-if thy right hand offend
three, cut it of. What's evil in Gods
sight, destroy t!'
She repressed scream at the pain
of his clutch, at the murder in his
eyes. The wife ran out, crying: "Ah,
John, let her be! She's a good girl
nova good girl to US ALL"
But the fanatic held her closer,
thrusting her up against the kitchen
door among the dusty quarry clothes
hung there. Can l sit and pray God
with this unclean rebellion in my
house? Unclean-unclean"- thrust
her harder against the door-"you will
renounce it-tell me-"
She looked back. You don't under
stand-you don't know anything"
He shook her until her voice choked
answer
You have no right"
Answer" he shoued, and shook her
until the house Jared
When he ceased, she threw back her
head in its frame of crushed leaves
No" she cried, swiftly, and then
fought him. "No-nothing
He suddenly smashed her against the
door. Its finsy fastening game way,
and she was hurled out, falling to the
porch. They heard her cry, but none
moved. For a time they watched Lind
strom, huge, hairy-armed, in the door
way. Then he turned to them. GO
back" he said to the mute children, the
wan wife. We'll have prayers now"
But after prayers the woman stole to
look out dumbly into the cold moon
light in the yard.