The state herald., 1914-04-24


she got on my nerves. l always dis
liked that woman with her precise
routine and large ial feet.
Far OF heard the thud of gun.
shot, then three shots all together, and
afterward fifth. The evil In the
night was coming nearer. and l said
to myself, "If were really frightened
should closs that door. I'm half
coward"
The hero nimself had strung his Vic
toria Cross upon riband which l
wore about my neck. Could l wear
the cross and set an example Of cow
ardice to these poor creatures who
crouched in the corners of the room?
to show fear IL a privilege of the un-
derbred. But did long for Jesse.
Through the murmurs OF the nearer
rain. I felt throb in the ground. then
heard a sound grow, OF q horse gal
Looping. The swift soft rhythm. now
loud. now very faint, then very near
echoed against the barns, thundered
across the bridge. splashed through
the flooded yard. and ceased abruptly.
Billy had come home from the Falls.
he was stabling his roam. he was cross
Ing the yard in haste, his spurs clank-
ed at the doorstep and, dreading his
news. sudden panic seized me. +
fed behind the bar.
He entered, astream with rain. shad-
ing his eyes against the candle-light;
then as | moved he called out. as
though ! were at distance, begging
me for brandy. His face was haggard.
his hand as he drank was covered
with dried blood. he slammed the
glass on the counter so that 1t broke
You heard the shots?" he said.
AT Spite House!" whispered.
He nodded.
You were there?" | asked.
Half mile beyond. When | got
there It was all dark. Looked in
through the end window, but the rain
got down my neck. SO | went round.
The front door was standing open. |
listened a while. No need to get shot
myself. Thought the place was
derelict. Then ! heard groans.
Struck n bunch of matches then.
found the hall lamp. and got It alight.
Wished I'd got gun. but there wasn't
nothing handy except the poker. SO !
took that and the light-just followed
the groans. He was lying on the bar
room floor"
"Brooke7"
Yes. Shot through the throat.
blood squirting down the side OF his
neck, making big pool on the oil
cloth. You know the thing you make
with a stick and scarf to twist up?
A tourniquet. yes. Well. II choked the
swine. SO quit. He whispered some
thing about my thumb hurting the
wound. so / told him my fathers neck
hurt worse.
up to that | thought he was Just
acting. playing pathetic to touch my
feelings. Once he muttered your
name. and then he was dead"
Brooke dead!"
Yes. he'd been shooting Polly, too.
I traced her blood tracks all the way
to the front door. Hello. whats that'
| thought | heard"
uhttntu anu tueEe Nah oniy tuc
sound Of the rain.
Il suppose it's all right" said Billy.
wed better close that door. though"
But before he could reach the door.
Nurse Panton called him away to her
corner. where she spoke In a whisper
so that / should not hear. sending
him. perhaps. for her cloak. Mean
while came from behind the counter
to my former seat before the open
doorway, where sat staring into the
darkness. unable TO feel any more. but
Just benumbed Across my weariness
nickered the mournful soliloquy OF u
poor barn-door fowl-''Yesterday an
eGg. tomorrow feather dusterl
What's tho good OF anytin'. why.
nothIn'."
Then l. too. heard sound In the
night. and because Billy and the nurse
were muttering. ! stood up with the
candle-ilght behind me. trying to see
In the darkncsr Billy said af,erward
he had moved quickly. TO shut the
door. but waved him back Just MS the
shot rang out.
The explosion blinded. dcafcned.
seemed even TO scorch me. while the
mirror on the wall came crashing
down. Stunned. daxrled. horrifcd. I
felt duh rage at this attempted
murder.
A second royolvcrshot stirred my
hair. and I'm afraid then that I lost
my temper, am not fish.fag that
should rtoop TO nshtlng a creature
such M Polly. but would have died
rather than let hcr see one trace Of
fear.
Billy rushed past the flring to reach
the door and close II. but ordered him
TO deaiat. thor grarped the candle and
held II out 10 show better light.
Lower your lishtsp" I shouted Into
dark. you fred too hish'"
A revolver crashed on the doorstep.
and low down within three feet OF the
ground. I saw n dreadful face conyuls.
cd with rage, changing TO fear, Tho
woman was sinking TO her knees. she