Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-11-05

W0To T0U tOO, - IcV - SAA0 Ao"0A
pinned In her hair.
She must stanch his wounds and
pour whisky down his throat before
the flickerins wisp Of life-fame burned
out.
wait, dearest" she said in . bro.
ken voice. II must get things you
need
1T ain't"-he paused moment for
the breath which came very hard
'scarcely-worth WILHELM done.
But she hew to the cupboard where
there was brandy. She tore linen
from her petticoat and brought water
from the drinking bucket that stood
with it, gourd dipper on the porch.
But when she pressed the flask to
his lips he closed them and shook his
head little.
Il amt never touched drop in my
life," he said, IAN reckon might
well-dnish out-'twon't be long. It's
too late to begin now"
For . while he lay gasping. then
spoke again, weakly:
"Just kiss me-dearest-the what
I come for"
After q pause he spoke again.
There's one thing-I've got to ask
ye: Why did ye swear-ye didn't care
for me-in court?"
Her head came up and she an
swered steadily:
Dearest. I'd never asked myself
that question until the lawyer asked
1t. didn't know the answer myself.
but II I did love you, meant to tell
you first: it was our business. not his.
I was there to help you. and it
wouldn't have helped you to tell them
that was fighting for my own heart.
And, besides, I didn't know then.
quite"
She went on bathing and stanching
his wounds as best she could. but q
spirit of despair settled on her. There
were so many Of them, and they were
30 deep and ragged!
II didn't-come for help" he told
her, and through the Crime and blood
flashed . ghost of his rare and boyish
smile. I'm past mendin' now. 1
came because-1'm dyin'-an' wanted
to die In your arms!"
"You shan't die" she breathed
fercely between her teeth. my arms
shall always be around you"
But he shook his head and his fig
ure sagged little against her knees.
Il know-when I'm DONE" he said
slowly. Its all right now-I've done
got here. That's enough loves ye.''
For q time she wondered whether
he had lost consciousness, and she
laid him down slowly and brought
cushions with which to soften his po-
sition. It was almost daybreak now.
She sat there beside him. and as her
heart beat close to- him he seemed to
draw from It some Of its abundant VI
tally, for he revived little, and
though his eyes were closed and she
had to bend down to catch his words,
his voice grew somewhat stronger.
"T amt never felt lonesome-before.
But out there-dyin' by myself-the
last Of my family-I had to come.
Dyin' amt like livin-I couldn't die
without 70"
"You aren't dying" she argued des.
perately. "You sha'n't die"
yes" no said. I'm dyin'-an' nov
the sooner-the better-I reckon"
She bent lower and held him very
gently, close to her heart. you are
suffering horribly. dearest" she
groaned.
Nv. ..u xa.An rJ3. h,.a%h n.-.
with great difficulty. They'll come
back here. They'll get me yet-an' I'd
ruther die first"
She laid his head very gently on the
pillows and rose to her feet. In the
instant she stood TRANSPORTED. Deep
in her violet eyes blaxed such q blue
fire as that which burns ct the hot
test heart Of Q fame. Around her lipl
came the grim set Of fight and blood
lust.
The crushed flower on her bosom
rose and fell. under . violent tempest
OF passion. The skirt Of her evening
gown had been torn In her effort to
carry him. Somehow one silk stock
ing was snagged above her slipper
His blood Redeemed her white arms
and bosom. She drew . deep breath
and clenched her hands. The dis
ciple of peace was gone. and there
stood there in IT. stead the hot
brsathed incarnation Of some valkyl
lowering over the din OF battle and
urging on the tight.
Yet her voice was colder and stead
Ter than he had over heard It. She
pointed to the door.
Get you'll" she exclaimed scorn
fully. mo man but ., Havey crosses
that threshold while ! live. I'm . Ha
vey now and We live or die together
Get you!" Her voice broke with Z
Wild laugh. Let them comet
No bitterly bred daughter Of thu
hills was ever 20 completely the
mountain woman % this Transformed
and reborn girl Of the cultured East
She moved about the place with ,
steady, indomitable energy. Will
strength borrowed Of the need, sht
upset the great oaken table and bar
ricaded the door. laughing % sh'
heard the clatter OF pedagosic vol
umes on the hoor. Fox's Book o.
Martyrs" fell ut her fest, and chi
kicked It viciously to one side.
She went and stood before her racl
Of guns. and her lips curled - chi
caught up . heavy-cslibered repeater
with Ill the fierce desire Of . drunkart
Sc Ice &Saa