The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-01-13
CHAPTER III


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enraged and drunk, and as if she were
lead and no longer able to help hei
child. her mother lay almost within
touching distance. If Uriah carried
out his plans, Their the horrid fellow
there would soon claim her as his
woman. That thought frightened her
so that she stepped back as the new
conner came upon the deck.
Whats the matter, Ry?' he asked
quite casually.
Hes killed mummy" burst forth
the girl. And if bosh you fellers don't
wan to get pinched. you'd better
scoot often this boat
Uriah laughed, and Reggie's high
pitched cackle followed.
Been giving your woman a little
discipline. ell, pal?" he demanded,
turning on Devon. well, they all
need it now and then. But she's the
liveliest breathing corpse | ever saw.
Did you hit 'er, Dev?'
yep" growled the other man. land
I'm goin' 10 beat Tony. 90. The inn
pudent brat says she wouldn't marry
you if you was the last man Twin.
You watch the brat there, Rege. while
| duck EIDE in the cabin"
Tonnibel, wid<-eyed and suffering,
saw her father lift her mother up in
his brawny 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 evil smile. such as she hated in
men. His white teeth seemed like
many cleaning knives, sharp, strong
and ~overhanging. his red lips spread
ing away from them.
He took a step toward her and
stopped.
"Why SO much fuss about nothing,
my little one?" he said, cooling.
Daddy said | had to marry you"
breathed the girl, brushing back a
stray curl from her brow. But /
don'tl I'm goin' to t with my
mother on the Dirty Mary. There
amt no law forcing a girl to marry a
man she don't like. And I 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
YOU"
Tonnibel suddenly shuddered and a
hopeless, helpless feeling went in
waves over her. Oh, to be anywhere
in Gods clear, clean world! Away
from those cleaning lustful eyesl But
she saw no opportunity TO escape.
Reginald Brown was blocking the
small space through which she must
fly if she We're TO be saved at all. She
knew very well if 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 be-
low in the cabin. and even more plain
~ 10 her suffering ears came Devon's
blows. and after that-silence.
Her heart thumped like a 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 a sign of a boat
anywhere. She was frantic enough to
scream if it would have done her any
good.
Il think I'll kiss you, my little bird"
said Reggie, suddenly, narrowing his
eyes. You're pretty enough for my
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 boat
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 mar sprang 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 a curly head
came above the waters edge. Then
they leapt TO the shore and raced to-
ward the place she u land. To
the painting girl it was a race for life
Suddenly, like a flashing glimpse
from Heaven. the words. "Stand Still
and See the Salvation of the Lord"
foated 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 ar
her to stop.
She heard the two men crashing
after her. That her short, swift leaps
could o%utdistance them for long if she
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