Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-02-06
CHAPTER xL-lcontinued>.

CHAPTER xL-(continued).
The peddler sniveled and s,n;r,,ed
co~nciliatingly; they had of late begun
70 rear Johns P%uritanism. Eth. the
business John! I was lust casting over
u Ior tomorrow. To lay out INV route
beforehand, that saves a sight of
Tramplng, and it's to be colder"
II no work for h day. growled
John. Didn't Brother Rutherford lust
He turned to his sons: Come. Peter
hnute-it's soon to bed for you. Bring
IN the kindling n be off," He was
not unkindly-he was but q man in
VINO q wrong was burning its way
steadily to a clustered and spiritual
purity; n laws harsh enigma, the
murk OF his days jailing-they were
to him a martyrs portion: they had set
MIN apart in the world; God had smote
MIN Tor some reason or other, and he
accepted. He sat watching the silent
1rchins, the mumbling peddler pulling
MS cuffs down over his thin wrists.
me mother passed with the baby, and
t tSa put a hand softly to its head. but
tne rasp OF his palm drew a sickly
He drew back silently. in some
pathos at his failure. When she had
gone into the chamber, his eyes slowly
went to Aurelfe, whom he could see
before the mirror OF her little white
dresser In her room. She was patting
The sugar leaves around her shoulders,
admiring, reluctant to take them off.
MY girl" John called, come here"
She did not move; he saw her face
harden. Come here" She turned and
look at him. "Aurelie, 1 called you,
girl"
What is it," But at his silent gaz-
Ing she came out obediently. He looked
again long at her. the daughter Of
meet him. Where have you been"
In the hills"
Whom did you meet?'
mo one. Just Uncle Michigan and
me-"
I heard this morning-and Brother
Andrews told me-that you were on the
creek road talking with some one in
Ted machine?"
"Yes-this morning." She did not
ealter; she was a stolid as he.
The McFetridge motor car. q snort
ing, grinning. scarlet devil charging, Of
? Sunday. about the stiffness of the
loads-he was ruthless in his analysis,
tor he knew. "They brought you home
from town this morning-but they
dared not come to the door,"
mo-" she retorted. ut was lust a
little ride"
"Ah. Lord" the wife cried from the
chamber. "the girl. she'll have her name
up more than 1t was! The papers and
Hl-Lord save US! And ridin' with q
few on Sunday m%orning!"
BE sttll." John vent on stolidly. II
pray with us all tonight?"
"Pray?''
with q clean soul?'
She looked at his eyes. tho deep eyes
bf q 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.
II hear" he continued with an awful
elaboration al one who had foreor-
eained his Judgment n his course.
that you are going on the stage!"
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? It
money I can make!"
"Answer!" he shouted, and stung The
liable with his blow: tho TRUTH"
YES" she answered steadily. her
syes going to hard rebellion.
May God strike you dead flrst!"
Knute looked up dumb and SILVER
ing. The mother put her head from h
! good girl with it all. joint"
BE still!" he said. ''This beauty Of
hers-Td burn it off her II I could" He
got up and paced h kitchen, his lined
lace twitching. Cleanse her. Lord" he
puttered. put this foul thing from
Ter, Lord!" And from the woman sob
bing now in the chamber came a wall
ing "Amen!"
The girl stood in her robe Of autumn
leaves. Mother. the o I could
barn! And you know how We all need
money!"
John stopped before herr: "Hells
money! Harlot's money!" He suddenly
krasped her wrist: "Eh, this face OF
Iours-if thy right hand offend thee,
nut It on. what's evil in Gods sight.
lestroy III"
She repressed q scream at the pain
4 his clutch, at thu murder in his eyes.
tho wife ran out crying. "Ah. John.
pt her be! She's . good girl a
food girl to 10 ALT"
But the fanatic held her closer.
prusting her up against h Kitchen
lung there. Can I cit and pray God
Fith this unclean rebellion In my
louse7 Unclean-unclean-" he thrust
ler harder against the door--you vii
enounce it-tel mel"
She looked back: You don't under
kand-you don't know anythin9-'
He shook her until hor voice clicked:
Answer!"
"You have no right"
sAnswer!" no shouted. ana shook her
Until b house Jared.
When he ceased she threw back her
mall head In ito frame Of crushed
eaves. mol" she cried swiftly, and
hen fought him: 'No-nothing!"
He Uuddenly smanhed har araina& the