Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-11-25

go-betWeen without both of you men
does keep faith
Nit McBriar stifened resentfrIIv,
and his dark brows drew together IN
der his hat brim
Does We doubt thet I'll do what I
says" he inquired in q voice too soft
for sincerity.
The missionary did not drop his
steady and compelling eyes from the
gaze direct 1t was as If he were read
ing through the pupils of the other and
searching the dark heart.
/ aims ter see tibet ye both starts
out fair, Milt," he said, still quietly.
An ter thet end l aims ter admonish
ye both on Their terms of this meetin'
atween ye"
For an instant Milt McBriar's SEM
blance Of calm refectiyeness slipped
from him and his voice rose raspingly.
Did Anse Havey learn ye tibet
speech?"
Coed Anse Talbot shook his head
patiently
mo. l told Anse Their same thing
I'm a-tellin' you. Neither Anse ner
Their four men that fetches Their body
will hev any sort Of weepon about
EN- when they comes acrost thet stiie.
fe've got ter give me yore hand tibet
none Of yore men hain't a goin' ter be
armed I'm servant of Their Most
High GOD" For an instant fire blazed
in the preachers eyes and his voice
mounted with fervor Fer years I've
done sought ter teach his grace an his
hatred of murder ter Their people OF
these hyar hills. When you two men
shakes hands on this truce | aims ter
be standin' by with rife-gun in my
hands, an eff sees anything crooked
I'm goin' ter use hit"
The dark giant stood for a time
silent, then he gravely nodded his
head Them terms suits me-" he
said briefly.
The two men walked down to the
fence and separated there, going in
opposite directions
A few minutes later Juanita, still
standing fascinatedly in the doorway,
was looking out across the shoulder of
the missionary. He presided at the
threshold with grave eyes, and, even
after these peaceful years, there was
something Of familiar caress in the
way his brown hand lay on his rifle
lock. Then the girl saw strange
and primitive ratification of treaty.
On either side of the little porch
stood a group of solemn men, mostly
bearded. mostly coatless, and all un-
armed. In front of those, at the right
stood Anse Havey, his eyes still the
dominant feature of the picture.
Over across from him was the taller
and older chleftain of the other clan.
They stood there gravely, with a
courtesy that cloaked their hatred
Out in the road was the "jolt-wagon,"
and in its deep, bed the girl could see
the canvas that covered it's burden.
AS Bad Anse took mis- place at the
front of his escort his gaze met that
of Juanita. He did not speak, but for
an instant she saw his face harden,
his eyes narrow, and his lips set
Themselves 1t was the glance of one
who has been dashed across the face
and who cannot strike back, but who
will not soon forget.
This time the girls eyes did not
drop, and certainly they held no hint
of relenting or plea for forgiveness.
But at that moment the head of the
Haveys turned from her and began
speaking.
II got your message, Milt,' he said
casually, an l reckon you got my
answer: I've brought back Little
Nash" -
Pm obleeged ter ye" The McBrtar
paused, then volunteered: EFF Their
boy had took counsel of me, this thing
wouldn't never hev happened"
Bad Anse Havey stood looking at
the other. then he nodded.
'Milt," he carelessly announced at
the end of his scrutiny, while the
ghost of an ironical smile glinted in
his eyes, though it left his lips grave,
, I've got several bosses an mules
down thar in my barn that we found
h1tched out in Their timber when Nash
an his friends took to the Iarel."
Again he paused and studied the
faces of the McBriar men before he
went on. Zone of 'em is your own
roam mare, Milt One of 'em b'longs
ter Sam thar, and one Is Bobs thar"
He pointed out each man as he spoke.
I'VE can get EN- any time ye send
down for EN-"
The girl caught her breath and, de-
spite her dislike, acknowledged the
cool insolence with which Anse had
answered Milt's plea of innocence.
Milt replied only with scowl, so Anse
contemplatively continued, as though
to himself:
Hits right smart pity for a Teller
to go out shootin' in the nighttime
&ySG<- s&<{ANA Ma tISSSsN ~