Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-10-08

con. It seemed % II In a majesty OF
"reminiscences they reached from sun
rise to sunset. and SO. as far as the
locked.in life Of their people went.
they might.
She stood there q long while, and
finally she saw. where for a space the
road ran near the brick house, un-
shielded by the woods. a struggling
little cortege. At its front rode 4
stoop-shouldered man in whom, even
at that far distance. she thought she
recognized the missionary. Behind
him came a few horsemen riding in
two squads, and between the squads
crawled q 'jolt-wagon" drawn by
mules. She knew that the Haveys
were bringing back to the frontier the
enemy's dead, and she shuddered at
the cold reality.
It may have been three hours later
that Good Anse Talbot rode up to
the Widow Everson's. When the girl,
who had returned long ago from the
crest. came out to meet him at the
door she found him talking there with
Milt McBriar. who had also ridden up.
but from the other direction.
"Anse Havey lows" the preacher
was saying. that he hes done fetched
home Their body Of little Nash Watt,
an tibet Their boy was shot ter death
layin' in Their la'rel q hundred PAGES
from the winder whar Cal Douglas was
. standin'!"
I've done already acknowledged
thet," declared Milt in, q voice into.
which crept . trace Of truculent sui
lenness.
The missionary nodded. II hain't
quite through yit Milt." he went on
evenly. and the girl who stood lean
ing against the door.frame. caught for
An instant sparkle Of zealot earnest.
ness in his weary eyes.
"Anse IL willin' ter take yore hand
on this truce. He's willin' ter stand
pledge thet Their Haveys keeps faith.
But I'm q preacher Of the Gawspel Of
God. Milt. and don't low ter be no
go-between without both Of you men
does keep faith
Milt MoBriar stiffened resentfully,
and his dark brows drew together un-
der his hat brim.
Does ye doubt tibet I'll do what
says?" he inquired in . voice too soft
for sincerity.
The missionary did not drop his.
steady and compelling eyes from the
gaze direct. It was ~ IL he were read.
ing through the pupils Of the other and
searching the dark heart. i
Il aims ter see tibet We both starts
out fair. Milt," he said. still quietly.
AN ter thet end aims ter admonishs
ye both on Their terms Of this meetin,
atween ye."
For an instant Milt McBriar's sem.
blance Of calm reflectiveness slipped
from him and his voice rose raspingly.
Ibid Anse Havey learn ye tibet
speech?"
Good Anse Talbot shook his head
patiently.
mo. 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
'em when they comes acrost tibet stile. /
Ye'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 Oh this truce I aims ter
be standin' by with q rihe-gun in my
hands. an af 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.
1 A few minutes later Juanita, still
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
Of familiar caress in the
way his brown hand lay on his rifle
lock. Then the girl saw q strange
and primitive ratification Of treaty.
On either side Of the little porch
stood 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 chieftain Of the other clan.
They stood there gravely, with
courtesy that cloaked their hatred. |
Out in the road was the "jolt-wagon,"
and in it's deep bed the girl could see
the canvas that covered its burden.
AZ Bad Anse took his 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
It was the glance Of one
who has been dashed across the face
and who cannot strike back, but who
will not soon forget. i
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 /
Haveva turned from her and he9An |