Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-10-18
CHAPTER XIII.
Is NEVILLE BUCK

61GX =
CHATTER XIII.
In other years Bad Anse Havey 70.
membered the days in that house when
the voices Of women and children had
been raised in song and laughter. Then
the family had gathered in the long
winter evenings before the roaring
backlogs, and spinning wheel and quilt
Ing frame had not yet gone to the cob
webs Of the cockloft. But that was
long ago.
The quartercentury over which his
memory travelled had brought changes
even to the hills. The impalpable
ghost Of decay moves slowly, with no
sound save the occasional click of
sagging door here and the snap Of .
cord there. but in twenty-five years it
moves-and an inbred generation
comes to impaired manhood. Since
Bad Anse himself had returned from
Frankfort his house had been tenanted
only by men, and IAN atmosphere Of
grimness hung in its shadows. A half
dozen unkempt and loutish kinsmen
dwelt there with him. filling the ground
and ready to bear arms. More than
once they had been needed.
It was to this place that >Juanita Hol-
land and the preacher were making
their way on that October afternoon.
At the gate they encountered q soil
tary figure gazing stolidly out to the
front, and when their coming reused
it out Of its gloomy reverie it turned
and presented the scowling face of
Jeb McNash.
Where air they?" he demanded
wrathfully. wheeling upon the two ar
rivals, ana then ne repeated violently:
by heaven, where air they? Why
hain't ye done fetched Dawn and
Jesse?"
( "Jeb." said the missionary quietly.
I'VE done come over hyar fust ter het
speech with Anse Havey. Whar's he
att"
Il reckon he's in his house. but ye
hain't answered my question. I'm Their
one for ye ter talk ter fust. Hits my
sister we've done been sufferin' ter
consort' with murderers, an hits me
we've got ter reckon with
Brother Talbot only nodded. Son."
he gently assured him, I'VE aims ter
talk with you. too, but reckon ye
hain't got no call ter hinder us from
havin' speech with Anse first"
For q moment Jeb stood dubious,
then he jerked his head toward the
house.
Go on in thar. Of 70 sees At. I
hain't got no license ter stop ye." he
said CURLY; ''but don't aim ter leave
'thout seem me. too"
Several shaggy retainers>were loung-
ing on tho front porch. but Is Good
Anse Talbot and Juanita turned in ct
the gate these henchmen disappeared
inside. They would all be there to wit
ness her humbling, thought the girl.
It would please him to receive her
with his Ackal pack yelping derisively
about him.
Then she saw another figure emerge
from the dark door to stand at the
threshold. and the flush in her cheeks
grew deeper. Bad Anse Havey stood
and waited, and when they reached the
steps Of the porch he came slowly for
ward and said gravely. Come inside"
He led the way. and they followed In
silence.
Juanita found herself in the largest
room she, had yet seen in the noun
,tains-a room dark at its corners de-
spite q shaft of sun that slanted
through window and fell on heavy
iauSie Il :: single band Of light. On the
table lay litter Of pipes. loose to-
bacco, cartridges and several books.
Down the stripe Of sunlight the dust
notes fioated in pulverized gold, and
the radiance fell upon book which
lay open. throwing it into relief. 30
that as the girl stood uncertainty near
the table she read at the top Of . page
the caption, "Plutarch's Lives"
But she caught her breath in relief.
for the retainers had disappeared.
Bad Anse stood just at the edge of
the sun-shaft with one side Of his
face lighted and the other1dark.
Z But IL to the girl the whole picture
was one Of somber composition and
color, It presented different aspect
to Bad Anse himself as the young
mountaineer stood facing the door.
We've done come ter hev speech
with ye, Anse," Talbot began. Il
reckon ye know what hits erbout."
Tho Havey leader only nodded, and
his steady eyes and straight mouth.
limo did not alter their sternness Of OK
preston.
He saw tho stihed little gasp with
which the girl read the ultimatum Of
his set face and the sudden mist Of
tears which. in spite Of herself,
blurred her eyes. He pushed forward
. chair and srayely inquired: Hadn't
We better set down, ma'amH
She shook her head and raised one
hand, which trenbfed little, to brush
the hair out Of her eyes.
Palpably she was trying to speak.
and could not for the moment COM
mand her voice. But at last she got
herself under control. and her words
came slowly and carefully.
'Mr. Havey, / have very little reason
to expect consideration from you.
Even now, II It were . question Of
pleading for myself. would die nrst,
but II isn't that" She paused and
shook her head. 'sYou told mo that I
must fail unless came ia, you. Well.
I,vs come-pye come "a kumilfafe nv.