Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-01-29
CHAPTER x.-lConunued).

CHAPTER M.-(Conunued).
The peddler sniveled and smirked
fonciliatingly; they had of late begun
70 fear Johns Puritanism. "Eh, tins
business, John! l vas just casting over
T for tomorrow. To lay out my route
Tamping, and it's to be colder"
IT'S no work for the day." growled
John. Didn't Brother Rutherford just
how warn US against such unholiness?"
he turned to his ons Come Peter
knute-it's soon to bed for you. Bring
IA the kindling and be off" He was
1ot unkindly-he was but a man In
whom a wrong was burning its way
purity; the laws harsh enigma, the
murk OF his days jailing-they
20 him a martyrs portion: they had set
him apart in the world; God had smote
him for some reason or other, and he
accepted. He sat watching the silent
nrchins, the mumbling peddler pulling
els cuffs down over his thin wrists.
The mother passed with the baby, and
John put a hand softly to it's head, but
the rasp of his palm drew a sickly
wall. He drew back silently, in some
pathos at his failure. When she had
rome into the chamber, his eyes slowly
went to Aurelie, whom he could see
vSASAo LA0 llll11Ol VI llCI itICIO WAaltO
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. I called you,
girl"
What is it?" But at his silent gag
ing she came out obediently. He looked
a fCQ10 limo OF hn~ Tho 1o1ohfn~ ne
Jezebel, whose eyes did not fear to
meet him. Where have you been?'
In the hills"
Whom did you meet?'
mo one. Just Uncle Michigan and
me-"
Il heard this morning-and Brother
Andrews told me-that you were on the
red machine?
"Yes-this morning." She did not
falter; She was as stolid as he.
The McFetridge motor car, a 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 o home
from town this morning--but they
dared not come to the door,"
No. she retorted. ut was Just a
little ride"
"Ah, Lord" the wife cried from the
chamber, "the girl, she'll have her name
up more than it was! The papers and
all-Lord a " us! And ridin' with a
Jew on Sunday morning."
BE still" John went On stolidly. II
hear more than that. Girl, can you
pray with US all tonight"
"Pray?"
with a clean soul?"
She looked at his eyes, the deep eyes
OF 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 a. one who had foreor-
dained his judgment Inc 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? 1t
money I 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 f1rsti"
Knute looked up dumb and SILVER
ing. The mother put her head from the
bedroom. "Ah, john" she cried, she's
a good girl with it all, joint"
BE still" he said. This beauty Of
got up and paced the kitchen, his lined
face twitching. Cleanse her, Lord he
r1uttered, put this foul thing from
her, Lord!" And from the woman sob
bling now in the chamber came a wall
Ing "Amen!"
The girl stood in her robe Of autumn
leaves. Mother, the money I could
earn! And you know how we all need
money!"
John stopped before her: "Helrs
money! Harlot's money!" He suddenly
grasred her wrist: "Eh. this face Of
yours-if thy right hand offend thee.
cut it off. What's evil in Gods sight,
destroy it,"
She repressed a 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, now q
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 I sit and pray God
with this unclean rebellion in my
house? Unclean-unclean-" he thrust
her harder against the door-"you will
lC-Lell 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 shouted, and shook her
until the house Jared.
When he ceased she threw back her
small head in its frame Of crushed
leaves. mol" h cried swiftly, and
then fought him: "No-nothing!"
He suddenly smashed her against the
door,. Its flimsy fastening CAV 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; well have prayers
now"
But after prayers the woman stole
to look u durnbly into the cold moon
light in the yard.
CHAPTER XII.