The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-01-21

you'll didn't dare to let you 60"
Pointing to the dead body, he said,
II was afeard of him."
II see," Ross replied.
But now it's different" the old man
c on. Hes dead, an I'm free.
I've got nothin' agin you, an I'd like
to be friends. I'm sorry for the way
l done you. Can't you take my hand
an forgive me-"
Ross held no malice, and in that hour
of his narrow escape from death he
was forgiving. Then. old Silas was
Minerals father. He took the proffer-
ed hand and pressed it warmly.
We'll forget the past" he said.
"Thanky."
That night at Slocum's a number of
the neighbors We're gathered. The
body had been taken there, and the
news of the tragedy had spread. Many
had come to crafty an idle curiosity,
but few had come out of respect for
the dead.
Ross was there and so was Minerva,
but they did not meet.
Wherever her heart might be, Miner
va did not forget that she had been
George Stevens wife and hat to him
md his memory she owed a sacred
duty. Ross did not forget this either.
So out of respect for the dead she
avoided him, and out Of respect for
herself he avoided her.
Bob Crock was there, and during the
night he and Ross met apart from the
nf1,ovy H. %n1N Doe,c ~ %1D ~, 12
had worked the evening before up
there in the woods to draw those men
away so that he and Billy might es-
cape. Ross listened in wonder, then
smiled and extended his hand.
"You have d great head on you. Mr..
Crook" he said. who else would
ever have thought Of doing such a
thing as that:"
why. lord a-massy.' old Bob re-
piled. that want nothin'.. Anybody
with a lick o sense could "a lone all
I done. In these yerc wartimes. when
people air gwine about KILN one an
other. Il Teller has got to keep his eyes
open IN do a lot O. thinkin'. Yes, Stree,
you bet he has"
"But how did you happen to be there
just at the right time?"
Didn't happen; I went"
"How did you happen to go. then"'
Seed them fellers gwine an knowed
they war up to some devilment. Been
a-shaderin' old Jake Martin since that
evenin' he talked with you over thar
nigh the schoolhouse. Followed 'em
uD thar when they tuck Billy, You
know the rest"
man thoughtfully. Presently he said:
II owe you a debt Of gratitude for
saving my life. a greater debt than l
can ever pay"
Old Bob squinted his eyes and
grinned.
Don't shoulder up mo AN go sheer
O %obligation.' he said. "What l done
want done for you and Billy alto
gether."
who else could it have been done
for::'
Il reckon 1 had an interest in it my
self"
You? How"'
"'Spose they had made Billy told
who them men was that tuck you
away from ole Silas Bones that
night?"
YES"
wouldn't they a-made it pow'ful
hot for them menu
Likely. But how would that have
affected you:"
II was one of EN-"
You" And Ross arose and grasp
ed the old mans hand. Then l owe
YOU a double debt of gratitude"
".All right" Crook replied. "Jest fix
it anyway you like. Well let the debt
run on interest till you git good an
ready to pay it,
Slocum came out where Ross and
Crook We're. To the former he said:
"Since things have turned out as
they have there is no longer any oc-
casion for you to go away, 50 l reckon
you'll stay an finish teachin' the
school,"
Yes. there is no reason now why l
should not Ross replied.
SO he remained and taught the
school out, but he changed his board
ing place. He and Minerva met occa-
sionally. however. and people who saw
them together never suspected that
there was in their hearts any feeling
for each other stronger than friend
ship. That other feeling they both
guarded closely, not only from the
world. but from any manner Of OK.
preston to each other.
Ross gave such satisfaction as a
teacher that he was offered the school
for another term. He accepted it. and
this filled out a year Of residence for
him on Postum Ridge. He made
many friends, and he was free to come
and go as he pleased, with no one to
modest or make him afraid.
But of all his friends there was not