The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-01-29
p x1.--tcontinued,.

The peddIer sniveled and smirked
conciIiatingiy; they had OF late begun
to fear Johns Puritanism. rEh, the
At for tomorrow. To lay out my route
beforehand, that q sight OK
traTnping. and It's to be colder"
It's no work for the day." grOwled
John. Didn't Brother Rutherford just
now warn US against such unholinessY
He turned to his Come, Potter
K~nute-it's 500 to bed for YOU. Bring
not unkdndly-ho was but q man In
whom a wrong was burning its way
steadily to q cloistered and spiritual
purity; the laws harsh enigma, the
murk OF his days jaliinE-they were
70 him o martyrs portion: they had set
him apart In the world; God had snnote
him for some reason or other, and he
accepted. He q watching the silent
urchins. the mumbling peddier pulling
his cuffs down over his thin wrists.
The mother passed with the baby, q
John put a hand softly TO its head, but
the rasp OF his palm drew a sickly
wall. He drew back silently. in some
pathoe at his failure. When she had
gone Into he chamber, his eyes slowly
went TO Aurelie. 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 n
look at him. "Aurelie. / called you.
what is TT" But at his silent gaz-
ing b came out o~bediently. He looked
again long at her, the daughter OF
Jezebel, whose eyes did not fear to
meet him. Where have you been?"
Tn the hills."
Whom did you meetT' .
mo one. Just Uncle Michigan and
me-" ,
Il heard this rnorning-and Brother
Andrews told me--that you were on the
creek o a talking with some ~ In q
red niachine?"
"Yes-this lnorning.", she did not
falter: h was an stoiid al he.
The McFetridge motor car, q snort
ing, grinning, scarlet devil charging, OF
q Sunday, about the stiffness OF the
roads-he was ruthless In hIs analysis,
for he knew. They brought you homo
from town this morning--but they
dared not come to the door"
NO." b retorted. 1T was just q
little ride" i,
~Ah, LOrdF' the wife cried from the
chamber. "the girl, she'll have her name
up more than 1t was! The papers and
ail-Lord save usi And ridin, with q
Jew on Sunday m~ornins!"
BE stu" John went on stolidly. Il
hear more than that. Girl. ran you
pray with us all tonightf"
"Prny?" .
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 as one who had foreor-
dained his judgment and his course,
that you are going on the stage!"
She started-she could not imagine
hat ne knew. And yet all the town
must know, must be amazed at this
freak OF the McFetrfdge 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 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 o dead irst!"
Knute looked UP dumb and shiver-
ing. The mother put her head from the
DGUTOOm. An, JOHn, SIG CFl0us 6HO .
q good girl with 1t all, John!"
BE still" he said. This beauty of
hers-rd burn 1t off her If I could" He
got up and paced the kitchen, his lined
face twitching. Cleanse her. Lord" he
muttered, put this foul thing from
her, Lord!" And from the woman sob
bling now in the chamber came a wall
ing "Amenl"
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: "Hells
money! Harlot's money!" He suddenly
grasped her wrist. Eth. this face OF
yours-if thy right hand offend thee,
cut 1t off. What's evil In Gods sight
destroy It'll"
She repressed a scream at the pain
OF his clutch, at the murder 1 hts eyes.
The wife ran out crying. "Ah John.
let her bel She's q good girl ow- q
good girl to us ALL"
But the fanatic held her closer.
thrusting her UP against the kitchen
door mons the dusty quarry clothes
hung there. Can I SIT and pray God
with this unclean Yebellbon in my
house? Unciean--unclean~ he thrust
her harder against the dSsr-syOu win
renouRce it--tell moi"
she looked DaCK. I00 cont UuAef~
gtand-you don't know anythina-"
He shook her until hsT vetce chDked:
"Answeri"
You have no right"
~Answeri" he shouted, &nd shook her
until the house Jared.
When he ceased she threw back her
small head In Its frame Of crushed
leayes. mol" she cried swiftly. ana
then fought him: "No-nothing!"
He suddenly smashed her against the
door. Its tthnsy fastening gave way,
and she w&a hurled out. falling to the
porch. They heard her CRY. but non
moved. For n time they watched Lind
strom, huge. hairy-armed. In the door
way. Then he turned 20 them: Go
back" he said 70 the mute children,
the wan wife. well have prayers
now"
But after prayers the woman stole
to look out dumbly into the cold moon
light in the yard.
CHAPTER Xu