The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-08-07

steam had revealed tt Scatchlin, an
on which he m%editated with his eye
half closed while his companions scorI
iully cooked the corn bread and baco
and cursed him for a lazy good 70
nothing. He continued his meditation
unmoyed until the men had eaten an,
were gone on their way. When the.
were out OF sight he arose with ALAG
rity n prepared a hasty meal. keer
ing his eye on the clock. He ate hun
riedly, cleaned and loaded a pisto
which he took from a hiding place be
hind a loose brick of the chimney, an,
went out the back door toward tn,
woods.
About the same time Jean Graysol
mounted the pony that had been Sc
aside for her use while in Hawk Val
ley. and started cut for ner daii,
call Oh an old lady who had taken
great fancy to her, because of her like
ness to a daughter long since dead
She was fond Of the sweet old lady
and found her quiet little home {
refuge from The round of society tina
sometimes became almAt oppressive
at her sisters house. She had dis
covered that she couL avoid certain
a~nnoyingly. frequently callers by be
Ing thus absent a little while, ant
especially during the last two weeks
she had made this pleasant pilgrim
age almost every day. Perhaps a par
OF the pleasantness of the trip was IL
the fact that the road lay back o.
Hollis land, and his house, though
almost a mile from where she had te
pass, was plainly to u seen at one
high point on the road. as 1t stood
boldly against the sky, its wide yeran
das shrouded in rose vines.
Jean 9 ventured on the road
that led past the house itself. for il
was off the general highway; but she
had often longed to see the spot where
he lived at closer range.
AS she rode along she unused about
the letter she had written and whether
that had been the right way and the
only way to do about getting the paper
into the hands Of Its owner.
She had once heard Il great speaker
say that there was never a situation
where there was not Q right thing to
do next. She felt sure she had done
the right thing 80 far as her light
showed her; and yet she could not lay
1t aside and be at peace, but was in a
tremor Of excitement awaiting Hollis
reply.
As she reached the high point In
the road she looked as usual off to.
ward the rose vined dwelling, half hop
ing to e a sign Of the master of the
house; but the vines lay shimmering
in the sun Of warn midday, and moth.
jag seemed stirring about the place.
She walked the pony slowly along un-
til the house vas out OF sight and the
road entered the shady quiet where
wooded land on either side hid the
glare OF the afternoon. Just beyond
the woods a few rods away was the
home OF the old lady. 1t was early
yet and Jean fingered, the pony moth
ing loath to follow her will
They had gone perhaps fifty feet
Into ea.s shadow OF the wooded road
when suddenly. out from behind a
great tree with stoeE. hrushwood
growth around Ii, skunk forth Scatnlin.
close to the nnny e:S .s: aa saas1ds upon
his bride.
4 beg pardon, Miss, but Mr.. Holt
sent INC on a message" He'd Scathlfn.
shifting his eyes hastily from the clear
ones that looked in horror upon him.
Jeans heart yas beating wildly, aot
treasured by hfs words.
HE said would you please give ne
the paper you had for him. 1t would
be safer for me to get IL, as No one
would suspect"
A great doubt seized Jeans soui.
Holt had lot sent this bad old man
Holt could never trust such a man az
this. But il he did trust him. she did
not.
did Mr.. Holt send me q letter.
Jean looked keenly into the old cum
ming face.
Mr.. Holt had to 80 away in a hurry
and so he sent me- said Scathlin
glibly. "fIe didn't have no time to
writa letters. He sid you knowed me;
that yul'i seen mo with him, an you'd.
know twas all ht.n
Tell Mr.. Holt, please" said Jean.
making up her mind hurriedly, that
thcre b nothing, and no message / can
give to anyone. ! wish to speak with
him. Il Dat IL not possible we VIII
have TO let The matter pass"
She drew the rein and signed to her
horse 10 80 on, but Scathlin jerked
The bridly sharply:
Not much, you don't 90 on," he
threatened, mot till ] get that paper.
4 was sent here 70 got it u / mean
TO have Il. fou can't come any OF
your pretty little tricks on me. / want
that paper and I mean 10 have il. III
1 can't get Il one way hin another. 4.
HIS voice md eyss were omiuoua, and
Jean was 50 friEhtaned that her throat
Etrembled and she sould scarcely con
troll her lips 70 speak.
sOf what paper ny you speaking.1s
~ INT tnaTc paper you wrote ahent
In the letter. Yo1 know we'll enough
what ! mean. You've got il about
you now. | knowsynu dassant "a Oh