Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-20
CHAPTER XIV.
The Outcome OF Tyranny.

! No matter what the consequences
Burton resolved to put stop to this
outrage. He rushed forward and was
dimly aware that Peter, who had ut
tered an inarticulate howl when he
saw his mother struck, had raced
ahead OF him into the house Crap
ping Simms, he stayed the Infatuated
mans arm for moment, whereupon
Thorpe closed with him and, finding
an opponent of different metal to an
efeminate artist. put forth all his
great strength. John, therefore, had
to defend himself, and was bitterly
aware that the elder Simms was not
to be detected from his cruel intent,
but was now holding the terrified girl
with one hand and welding the whip
with the other. 1t looked as though
a very serious struggle was imminent
when every eye turned at hystercal
yelp from Peter Simms. The boy
was standing in the doorway and
covering his father with a shotgun.
Stop thatl" he cried Stop it, |
tell yer, or swear III shoot"
That horrible whip, raised for an
other blow, dropped to the farmer 5
side, and the man gazed in sheer as
constituent at the son who thus dared
to threaten him. He could scarcely
believe his ears. Never before had
any member of his family houted his
authority. Thorpe, equally amazed,
wrenched himself free from Burton,
and was obviously more inclined to
witness this new phase in a dramatic
situation than continue struggle in
which he was likely to be worsted
PUT down that gun, Peter" shout
ed John. authoritatively, striding to-
ward the desperate boy.
mot mel' came the defiant reply
"I1l not see my mother and sister i'll
used by any man, whether he's my
father or not! This horsewhippin'
proposition has to stop right now. OF
I'll end it with an ounce of buck
shot You hear me, father? |
mean what say! Drop that whip. or
I'll blow the top of your head off D."
Farmer Simms could hardly have
been more staggered had his son lit,
orally carried out the threat. He was
almost palsied with anger and be,
wilderment. The girl, finding herself
free, ran to her brother as though
seeking from him the protection de.
MED her elsewhere.
AT last Slmms recovered his senses
He pointed toward the highway
Get out of this" he said, mouth
ing the words with bitter emphasis
Get out now! You amt no children
of mine no longer Neither bite MOI
sup will either of you have under my
roof again. Get out, Just as you arc
You can both starve by the roadside
for anything that care"
The hapless mother broke in, but
her appeal was ruthlessly swept aside
You've got to stay here, Marty
said her husband, but them two arc
going. I've said it, and I've never
gone back on my word yet
1t was quite certain that the mans
decision was final and irrevocable
Even the maddened boy and the
weeping girl were aware OF that
Peters chin lifted and determined
look replaced the momentary frenzy
which had covulsed his young face.
/ Good" he said dehantly. That.
what we want-both OF us Good-by
mother Well see you later, | guess
Come along, Jessie. Ill take care O
you all right"
Giving his father and Thorpe ;
wide berth, and still clutching the
gun. he led his sister to the gate
Burton, quite at loss to know how
to act for the best realized that these
two waits we're surely penniless anC
wholly unprepared for being cas-
adrift in this fashion. He went after
them.
Here he said, pressing SOME
money and a card into the boy,
hand. This will serve your need.
during the next day or two. Loci
after your sister. Peter, and come
and see me. shall return home a
once. and will make ii my bushes,
to help you