Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1920-12-30
CHAPTER ~.

The Picture Of 4 Baby.

IOnnlDelS nedrC Jumped almost into
her throat, then seemed to cease beat
Ing. There stood her father growing
enrnged and drunk, and as II she were
dead and no longer able to help hel
child. her mother lay almost within
touching distance. If Uriah carried
out his plans, then, the horrid fellow
there would soon claim her as his
woman. iha. thought frightened her
80 that she stepped back as the new.
conner came upon the deck.
''What's the matter, Ry?' he asked
quite casually.
"He's killed mummy" burst forth
the girl. "And If both you fellers don't
want to get pinched, you'd better
sc0ot often this boat"
Uriah laughed, and Reggie's high.
pitched cackle followed.
"Been giving your woman little
discipline, ell. pal?" he demanded,
turning on Devon. SWELL. they all
need 1t now and then. But she's the
liveliest breathing corpse l ever saw.
Did you hit FER, Dev?'
'Yep," growled the other man. land
TIN goin' to heat Tony, too. The i'm
plldent brat says she wouldn't marry
you If you was the Inst man Twin.
You watch the brat there, Rege, while
! duck Eide in the cabin"
Tonn!bel, wide-eyed and suffering,
rsw her father lift her mother up in
his brawny arms and carry her down
stairs, none toe gently. When lie had
disappeared, throat sound made her
swing her eyes to the other man. He
was contemplating her with smile,
an evil smile. such as she hated in
men. Els white teeth seemed like
inany cleaning knives, sharp, strong
and overhanging, his red lipss spread
Ing away from them. o...
He took step toward her and
stopped.
"NNhy so much fuss about nothing,
my little one?' he said, cooling.
Daddy said 1 had to marry you,' -
breathed the girl. brushing back a
stray curl from her brow. "But l
don't! I'm goin' to stay with my
mother on the Dirty Mary. There
amt no law forcing girl to marry a
man she don't like. And 1 hate you,
see? Huh?"
"Who spoke Of a law?" smiled
Brown. II didn't! But do know, my
little Tony-girl. that you'll say a very
meek yes when I get through with
yoli."
Tonnibel suddenly shuddered and q
hopeless, helpless feeling went in
waves over her. Oh. to be anywhere
tn Gods clear. clean world!. Away
from those cleaning lustful eyes But
she saw 70 opportunity to escape.
Reginald Brown was blocking the
small space through which she must
fly If she were to be saved at all. She
knew very well IL she could hide for
little while the two men would drink
until they slept. Then she could come
back and Help her mother. Plainly
she had heard the woman weeping be.
low in the cabin, and even more plain.
~ to her suffering ears came Devon's
blows, and after that-silence.
Her heart thumped like hammer
against her side. Behind her Law the
shining lake. And one hasty glance
over her shoulder only added to her
fear. There was not a sign of boat
anywhere. She was frantic enough t.
scream IL 1t would have done her any
good.
II think I'll kiss you, my little bird. ,
said Reggie, suddenly, narrowing hi.
eyes. you're pretty enough for any
one to want to kiss. BY Jove, never
realized until today just how much
liked you. If kissed you, well-per
haps you'd change your mind about
about things"
Tonnibel slid backward to the boa
rail. When she touched it, she whirlet
about and dove headlong into the lake
When Reginald Brown saw the girl;
feet disappear under the water, he ut
tered an oath and cried out. He hadn'
expected such an action on her part
He run to the cabin steps an,
screamed to Devon.
"She's in the lake, Ry," he sllyere,
~ the other man sprang to the deck.
When Tonnibe: felt the water owe
her, she swept to the lakes bottom
with one long stroke. Then deftly all
\ rid herself Of her dress skirt ana be
], nm to swim swiftly under the watel
They were tense minutes that II
= NJ