Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1921-01-11

Tonnibel, Widc-eyed and suffering
saw her father lift her mother up in
his hrawny arms and carry her down
stairs. none too gently. When he had
Disappeared. a throat sound made her
swing her eyes to the other man. He
was contemplating her with a smile.
an OWL smile such as. she hated in
men. His white teeth seemed like
many cleaning knives, sharp. strong
and oyerhanging, his red lips spread.
Inc away from them.
He took Il step toward her and
stopped.
why so much fuss about nothing.
my little one?" he said. cooling.
paddy said | had to marry you,"
hrcathcd the girl, brushing back n
stray curl from her brow. "Rut !
DON'T I'm goln to STAY with my
mother on the Dirty Mary. There
amt no law forcing girl to marry n
man she don't like. And | hate you
see? Huh"
"Who spoke OF n law" smiled
Brown u didn't, But do know. my
'li''t i'll LII l. liiit .'I ~ sly Il VERY
meek yes when get through With
you"
Tonnibel suddenly shuddered and
hopeless. helpless feeling went in
waves over her. Oh. to be anywhere
in Gods clear. clean world! Away
from those cleaning lustful eyes But
she saw no opportunity To escape
Reginald Brown was blocking the
small space through which she mus,
fly IL she were to be saved at all. She
knew very well II she could hide for
Il 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 he.
low In the cabin. and even more plain
ly to her suffering ears came pevon's
blows. and after that-silence.
Her heart thumped like hammer
against her side. Behind her lay the
shining lake. And one hasty glance
over her shoulder only added to her
fear There was not sign of boar
anywhere. She was frantic enough to
scream IL 1t would have done her any
good.
II think I'll kiss you. my little bird"
said Reggie, suddenly, narrowing his
eyes. You're pretty enough for any
one to want to kiss. BY Jove, never
realized until today just how much
liked you. II / 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 whirled
about and dove headlong into the lake
When Reginald Brown saw the girls
feet disappear under the water. he ut.
tered an oath and cried out He hadn't
expected such an action on her part.
He ran to the cabin steps and
screamed to Devon.
"She's In the lake, Ry." he shivered
as the other man sprapg to the deck.
When Tonnibel felt the water over
her. she swept to the lakes bottom
with one long stroke. Then deftly she
rid herself Of her dress skirt and be-
gan to swim swiftly under the water
They were tense minutes that the
two men stood waiting, until suddenly
beyond them to the south q curly head
came above the waters edge. Their
they leapt to the shore and raced to
ward the place she must land. TC
the painting girl 1t was race for life
Suddenly, like flashing glimpse
from Heaven. the words, "Stand Still
and See the Salvation of the Lord
aoated before her eyes like a fame OF
gold. Philip MacCauley's deep voice
seemed to speak them In her ringing
ears Immediately after. "Goddy." she
groaned. salvation of the Lord. oh
darlin' Salvation"
Just then her feet touched the peb.
bles on the bottom Of the lake. With
one wild leap she was on the shore
and up the bank. Criah screaming a,
her to stop.
She heard the two men crashing
utter her. That her short, swift leaps
could outdistance them for long II she
tried for the boulevard, she had no
hope. But all about ner were giant
friends with outstretched arms, offer
Ing her shelter. For one instant she
paused. then sprang into the air
caught the lower branch Of q grea,
pine tree aud like 4 squirrel scurried
up It. Almost at the tsp. spannsd evss
by the blue sky, she crawlsd out to
the end Of big limb and chung to 1t
Beneath her the men paused and
shouted curses up at her. TonnIbel
cared nothing for curses. She'd heard
them all her life, used them, too, wher
she felt like It.
Suddenly there came to her ears the
tapping Of paddle In the lake. She
flung up her head, peeped out and saw
q canoe taking Its leisurely way to-
ward Ithaca. She bent over and looked
down.
Daddy" she cried. there's some
one rOwin' on the lake. I'm goin' TO
boiler like HI. And when he comes,
ri tell i'm how you banged Eide, and
If she's croaked you'll both get Jailed.
Here's where ! holler!''
She sent out quick birdlike trill.
and Ne man in the canoe held Ibis
An a.. la