The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-01-27


But I csn't-I've said all I had to
say
Don't stop. dear. for Gods sake
the case In desperatel You'll have to do
it-for Bill"
"And that isn't ALL" Lahoma called
in broken, pathetic voice. as she turn
ed her pale face upon the curious
crowd. THAT isn't all. You know Brick
and Bill have been all had-all In this
world. You know they couldn't have
been sweeter to me II they'd been the
nearest Of kin-they were more like
women than men. somehow. when they
spoke to me and sat with me In the
dugout: and I guess ! know a little
about n mothers love. because I've al
ways had Brick and Bill But one day
somebody else came to the cove, and
this somebody else = well - he = this
somebody else wants TO marry me-to-
day. This was the end Of our Jour.
ney." she went on blindly. 'and-and
IL Is our wedding day. ! thought there
must be some way to get Brick to the
wedding. but you see how It Is. And
and Wen have TO marry without him
But Bits hrre-in that jail-because he
wouldn't betray his friend. And I
couldn't marry without either Brick or
Bill. could IT.
She took her quivering hand from
wilfred's sturdy arm and. moving to
the top OF the steps. held out her trem.
bling arms appealingly:
Men! Give me Billr'
The crowd was with her. now. No
doubt OF that All 6erceness gone,
tears here and there. broad grins to
hide deep emotion. open admiration.
touched with tenderness. In the eyes
that took I'm her shy iowerlike beauty
"You shall have Bill!' shouted the
spokesman Of the crowd And other
voices cried. give her Bllll Give her
Billr'
Bring him outr' continued the
spokesman In stentorian tones We'll
not ask him a question. Fellows. clear
a path for EN-"
A broad lane was formed through
the throng OF smiling men whom the
softened magically.
While Mlzzoo hastened to Bllls cell.
tome one exclaimed. Invite us too
Make Il n town weddlngr'
And another started the shout, "Hur-
ah FIR Lahomar'
Lahoma. who had taken refuge be-
hind Wilfred's protection, wept and
laughed In q rosy glow OF triumphant
Joy.
Mizzoo presently reappeared. leaving
the door wide open. lie walked TO
the stairs, the wrinkles at the corners
Of his eyes deep cut with appreciation
OF the situation. Fellows" he called,
"he says you carried him In there, and
dinged II you won't have to carry him
out, for not a step will he taker'
At this unexpected development a
burst OF laughter swelled into roar.
After that mighty merriment. Bill was
as safe as n babe. Twenty volunteers
pressed forward TO carry the wedding
guest from his cell. And when the old
man slowly but proudly followed VIII
fred and Lahoma to the hotel where
certain preparations We're 10 be made
particularly as touching Bits per.
sonal appearance-the town OF Man.
gum began gathering at the newly
erected church whittier they had been
invited.
When the four friends-for Mizzoo
Joined them-drove up to the church
door In the only carriage available,
Bin descended stlfiiy, his eyes gleam-
ing aercely from under snowy locks,
as II daring any one to ask him a ques-
ton about Brick. But nobody did.
The general suspicion that Bill At
kins knew more about Brick wilcox
than he had revealed, was not without
foundation; though the extent OF his
knowledge was more limited than the
town supposed. Bill had carried to his
friend-hidden In the crevice In the
mountain top-the news Of Red Kim
balls death: since then. they had not
seen each other.
Skulking along wooded gullies by
day. creeping down into the cove at
night. Wilcox had unconsciously re-
verted TO the habits Of thought and ac-
ton belonging TO the time OF his out
lawry. lie was again. In spirit, high
wayman. though his hostility was
directed only against those seeking to
bring him to justice. The softening
influence OF the years spent with La
homa was no longer apparent In his
shifting bloodshot eyes. his crouching
shoulders. his furtive hand ever ready
TO snatch the weapon from conceal
ment This sinister aspect OF wildness.
intensified by struggling whiskers and
uncombed locks. gave to his giant form
klnship TO the huge grotesquely shap-
ed rocks among which he had made
his den.
He heard OF Red Kimball's death
with bitter disappointment He had
hoped TO encounter his former chief.
70 grapple with him. to hurl him. per-
haps. from the preclpice overlooking
Bills former home. II In his fall.
Kimball. with arms wound about his
waist. had dragged him down to the
same death. what matterf Though his