The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1914-09-25
The Sowing of Anderson Cree
By MARGARET P. MONTAGUE
4 Strong Story Of Character
Building, With ScenesLaid In
the West Virginia Mountains
Among a Picturesque People
PROLOGUE.

Anderson Cree. q West Virginia
mountaineer, while hunting is shot
from behind. He exacts a promise
from his young son David, to kill Kip
Ryerson, whom he suspects. After Da-
vid goes for aid Anderson relents and
prays to live long enough to relieve
the son from the promise. Only Mar
tina Lamire, a character Of the noun
tains, hidden behind the bushes. hears
his appeal. Ryerson is arrested, tried,
but acquitted. The mountaineers, ac-
cused by David Of cowardice, band to-
gether and order Ryerson out of town.
-Four years later, on his sixteenth birth
day, David had gone out to a neighbour
ing Draft to fulfill his promise to his
father but learned that Kip Ryerson
was already dead. At twenty-five Da-
vid is the devoted slave of Mary Red
din. Kip Ryerson returns. Ellen Daw,
a poor, beragged adopted daughter Of
Eilas Daw Of Drupe mountain, weary
and faint from her lonely farm work,
Is assisted by Adrian Blair. a well to
people Of the Draft focked to the
schoolhouse to hear Brother B%raXton's
farewell sermon. David, leading the
prayer, suddenly catches sight of Ryer-
son, who until then he had thought
dead. He leaps on his old antagonist,
but strong arms restrain him, and Ry-
erson escapes. Mary coaxes David
home with her for an hour, but his
love for her can't hold him longer.
His promise to his dying father proves
strongest, and he leaves on his errand
Of revenge. Hidden from his distract
ed sweetheart, he filings himself on the
ground in an effort to adjust his con-
fused thoughts. Hours later, his mind
still racked with indecision, he reaches
home, where his mother had awaited
him. She learns of his inactivity, and
her terrible scorn sends him back to
fulfill his promised work of destruc-
ton. 1t becomes Ellen DAVIS wish to
do something for Mary and David.
Conscious of her own useless life, she
hits upon a plan. Half afraid, she
quickly grasps an old pistol and fees
from the house. Seeing a figure com-
ing through the rain which she sup
poses to be Kip Ryerson, she fires,
misses and is Mortified to discover that
1t is Adrian Blair, to whom she con-
fesses all. To the complete surprise Of
the frightened girl he tells her how he
had loved her since their schooldays,
but was afraid to say it. David reaches
the lumber camp. Kip Ryerson, secret
ed in the mill house, hears the mill
boss tell David that Kip has left camp.
David turns back, and Ryerson is told
to 60 before being discovered. Mary
is called to the bedside Of Martha
Lamire, the old woman of the woods,
who is dying. Before death she un-
burdens her secret, and Mary learns
of Anderson Cree's last message to his
son relieving him Of his promise to kill
Ryerson. David's mother, knowing
nothing Of Martha Lampfire's confess
sion, but remorseful, asks George He'd
rick to stay David's hand, but the lat
ter continues true to the promise made
to his father. He goes on with his
search for Ryerson as out of the rainy
drear a faint, exhausted voice tries
to reach him.