West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-12-02
Kill.
XIII.
One Blow for That 70 Seffy.


He took the papers home again, and
was very gentle with her afterward
for the things which the world blamed
In her. His was the only real kindness
she knew. Her little canting world
had no pity for her. But to her drunk
en- husband. In spite OF all, she was q
loyal wife, and the old man liked her
the better for II.
So IL came to pass that they two
the bent old man and the girlish wife
OF the drunkard, separated more and
more from the world and came more
and more together. And often they
were seen In the fields together and
walking along the roads arm In arm.
With Sally's little fortune at com.
mand, Sam had gone rapidly to the
bad. And Sally came to know what
tears were. and that dreadful kind OF
waiting which falls to the lot OF such
women-the waiting for the fall OF a
footstep which makes one shudder
yet rejoice.
They told her to get rid OF him. but
she shook her head and thought OF the
inscription in her wedding ring.
After a while 1t was the gentle old
man who helped to make these vigils
less MISUNDERSTANDING away stealthily
by the back door when Sans unsteady
step was heard at the front-an angel
OF light IL ever there was one in
plowmans jacket.
1t fell grimly TO his lot, too, to pro
vide for Sam by diminishing the little
farm he had longed and hoped for,
acre by acre. There was no conten.
ton between them as to this. The
young wife's wishes were his law.
He married me for that" said Sally,
the first time. and let him marry me
for that-just for spite. Only no one was
spited but me-but newell, he shall
have it-all--alr'-her voice broke a
little-"all but the-pasture-field-t
no one shall have but-you--or Seffy
when / die"
Only once he interfered Sam
raised his hand to strike her and he
laid the drunkard at his feet with
blow such as he had struck but once
before In his life.
II am her guardeen" he cried as he
struck. BY the Lord, I'm her guar.
deen!"
For a moment he gloated over the
PROSTATE brute. Then he stood up
trembling before Sally.
"Forgif me-" he begged. But I
couldn't help H. II done itself. Mebby
--God-a'mighty only knowsl-it was
a chance TO efen up for the other one.
And yit II was righteous blow-yas,
Il was a righteous blowl"
YES" she said. you are the first
that ever saw"
II was too late to stop. And before
II was done he knew that this was not
new experience 70 her, and that she
suffered it-and was almost glad Of Il
for penance.
by the Lord" cried the old man,
''if he efer strikes you agin I'll kill
him."
NO" said Sally softly.
"Yas." he insisted With some Of
bis old violence.
NO" she repeated sadly. BECAUSE
II is al Epy fault-ali the shame-the
shame-becauss I--deserye iti And
Thou shalt not klll You KNOW we
have tempers! And we have both
used theml"
He shuddered and thought OF the
plowed field with Sehy lying there.
Good night" be said with ayerted
face.
Il didn't meaU thst. pappy--I didn't
mean that you killed him Hes not
dead. Pappy. kiss me-gOod night
And forgive me"
Bet this also made her dearer 20
BIN. And -, little by little, they
drew closer and closer. BnUl q certain
happiness was his and o certain cor.
tent hers. Occasionally they laughed
But this was not often. They were
well satisfied 10 OF before the winter
Ore. she with an elbow on bis knee, he
with his rugged hands IN her hair.
And after a while she would ask him no
more 20 kiss her good nigbt--he did
II az OF right, and very beautifully,
on her hair--so much like Seny, that
FIRST dear klss-thst II made her sob
always
Just like sehyt" sbs said the arst
time and cried. pushing him out Of the
door when he would have asked a
0uaeffon