The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1916-06-15
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Have you ridden far?"
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Prom Lewisburg"
"Lsvisburg!" In surprise. Then
yos kDsv ! vas here! You came seek
iaS ns?"
He turned on his stool. his eyes
searching her face gravely.
'-Oa . mission Of ministry" he ~
piled solemnly. although whether It
prove Of Joy. or sorrow. ! am unable
to say. am but an instrument"
The mans reluctance to speak free
ly was apparent. and l stepped for
ward.
II you prefer conversinE with Miss
Harwood alOne." said quietly. Il will
retire"
The words l would speak are IN
deed Of . confidential nature"
mo. no." she broke in impulsively.
her eyes Of appeal turned toward me.
DO not leave Hs. lieutenant. This man
has nothing to say l am afraid to have
you hear. He has not come here as =
friend; there is some evil purpose in
all this. which | cannot fathom." She
faced him now. her slender body
poised. her eyes on his. Tell me what
1t is-this mysterious mission! Ay!
and who sent you to find me? l will
not believe 1t was my father"
The minister rose to his feet, . tall,
ungainly figure. his solemn face as ex-
pressionless as before but a smolder.
Ing resentment was in his deep.set
eyes. He possessed the look of q
fanatic. one who would hesitate at
nothing to gain his end. To me he
was even repulsive in his narrow
bigotry.
mo. 1t was not your father" he said
almost coarsely, but it is part of my
mission to bring to you. young woman,
the news of your fathers death"
Death? My father dead?" she
stepped back from him. her hands
pressed against her eyes. Obeying the
first instinct of protection, l stepped
to support her as she seemed about to
fall. THAT cannot be! You lie! l
know you lie! You were never his
friend. You come here to tell me that
to frighten me; to compel me to do
something wrong"
The man exhibited no trace Of emo.
ton, no evidence of regret, his voice
the same hard. metallic sound.
Il expected this outburst," he con
tinued unmoved. Indeed, 1t Is nc
more than natural. But | harbor nc
resentment. and In this hour freely for
give all. He that taketh the sword
shall perish by the sword and m,
words are true"
But saw him four days ago"
"On his way east to Hot Springs
with an escort Of soldiers. 1t was
there he was killed. together with hi.
servant. A messenger brought the
news."
"A soldier? One of Captain Fox.
men?"
A sardonic smile fiickered an in
/ stant on the preachers thin lips.
mo. but equally reliable; one O
Ned Cowans mountaineers. Captain
| Fox is prisoner. wounded, and hi.
men mostly dead"
A moment she rested unknowingl,
against my arm, her face covered witt
her hands. There was that in the
mans words and manner which con
vinced her that he spoke the truth
The face she finally lifted was white
and drawn. The girl had changed tt
a woman. She stood erect, alone, one
hand grasping the back of a chair.
You say my father is dead-killed,
she said, in steady, clear voice. "Bu,
be that one or the other, you never
came here tonight. through this storm
to bring me such message alone
Who sent you, Parson Nichols? Wha,
deviltry is on foot?"
MY dear young lady," he begar
smoothly, spreading his hands depre
catingly BE charitable. and just.
realize that in the first shock of thus
suddenly learning of your fathers de
mise you naturally speak harshly
With me the past is forgotten, blottec
out, covered with the mantle OF Chris
tian charity. felt it my duty to breal
to you this sad news in all possible
tenderness"
And you had no other object?"
Certainly not; what other could
possibly have had?"
The man lied. and l knew it; the
suave, soft tones Of his voice irritatet
me. The girl stood motionless, silent
her breath coming in sobs. Then she
turned her head slightly, and her eyes
met mine. The piteous appeal in theil
depths was all needed. With a grin
feeling of delight. took step for
ward, and the muzae of my revolver
touched his breast.
Nov, Mister Preacherman." / said
shortly, well have done with this
play acting. Not a novel"