Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-02-03


( mischief in the eyes and recognized
that the menace had drawn closer.
So, when he was ready to cross the
ridge to the school. he obeyed an old
sense OF caution and left his horse
saddled at the front fence that 1t
might seem as If he were going out
but had not yet gone.
He had sent messenger for Good
Anse Talbot, and the preacher arrived
while he was at his supper.
Brother Anse," he said, I'm goin'
to need ye some time betwixt now and
midnight. | want We to tarry here till
l come back
What's the nature of business ye
needs me fer, Anse?" demanded the
missionary. ST hadn't hardly ought
Ter wait. Thar's a child ailin' up the
top fork of little fork of Turkey Foot
creek"
But Bad Anse only shook his mead.
It's the best business We ever did,
he confidently assured the preacher.
But l can't tell ye yet. is the child
in any danger?'
Il reckon not; hits Jest ailin'
but"
The brown-faced man sat obviously
shaking his head, and Anse's features
suddenly set and hardened
Il needs ye," he said Amt that
enough? I'm goin' to need We bad"
That's right strong reason, Anse,
but"
For An instant the old dominating
will which had not yet learned to
brook mutiny ieaped into Anss
Havey's eyes. His words came In a
harsher voice:
WIN you stay of your own free
VIII because I'm goin' to need ye,
Brother Anse?" he demanded. BE
cause, by God, ye're goin' to stay-one
way or another"
Does ye mean ys aims ter hold
me hyar by force."
Not unless ye make me. l wouldn't
hardly like to do that"
For moment the missionary de-
bated. He did not resent the threat
OF coercion. He believed In Anse
Havey, and the form of request con-
vinced him OF its urgency.
So he nodded his head. "Tll be hysr
when We comes" he said
Anse left his house that night Meth
er by front nor back, but In the dark
shadows at one side, and his tails
man Of luck led his noiseless feet safe
" between the scattered sentinels
who were watching his dwelling to
kill him. -.-.-
The school buildings slept in silent
shadows. except that from the open
door Of the room where her piano
stood there came soft flooding Of
lamplight-a single dash of orange
in tho nocturne of silver and gray
He went up very quietly, pausing to
drink of the fragrance OF the honey
suckle, and there drifted out to him
as he paused, the music of the piano
and the better music of her voice.
She was singing love song.
Though he had sent no word OF his
coming, she was once more in eve
ming dress. all black save for q Grim
son flower at her breast and one In
her hair But this time the sight of
her in a costume SO foreign to the
hills did not distress him: it was
night that called for wonders
She rose as the mans footstep
sounded on the door, and then, at
memory OF their last meeting, the
color mounted to her cheeks and he
took her again In his arms
She raised her hands to his shout
dsrs and tried to push him away. but
he held her. firmly, and while she
sought to tell him that they must find
their way back to the colorless level
OF friendship. he could feel the wild
dutter of her heart.
Listen she protested. you must
listen..; : <ssf3
: But Bad Anse Havey laughed.
Is Ever since the first, time I saw
ye,' he declared. 1--WE been listenin'.
It has been duel always between
you and me- But the duets over now,
an this time / win
t. She looked up and her pupils began
to widen with that intense gaze which
is the drawing aside OF the curtains
from q woman's soul. and as though
she realized that she could not trust
herself to his eyes. she turned her
face away. Only in its profile could
he read the struggle between mind
and heart. and what he read filed
him with citation.
! .Anse,N she said In a very low
voice, give me truce. For one hour
| let me- think: 1t involves both our
lives for always; let me at least have
the chance to. be sane. Give me an
! hour" =
The man stepped back and re-
leased her, and she turned and led
the way out to the porch, where she
| sank down in the hammock with her
| face buried in both hands. When at
length she looked up she was smiling
rather wanly.
1T can't be. dear" she said But
while she argued with words and os-
tensible reasons, the night was argu.
Ing. too-arguing for him with all It.
sense-steeping fragrance and allur1ng
| cadences, and appeals to sleeping fires