The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-02-03
CHAPTER TX.
The Face in the Window.

Inc dCc III Inc WllOOW-
BY ten o'clock a heavy rain and
wind had settled over the Storm
Country with such force that the
waves were rolling southwark like
ivory-crested mountains. Once in a
while a heavy thud of thunder rever-
losing its roar back of the Cornell
buildings on the university campus.
Devon's canal boat was following
the little tug which was hugging the
western shore northward. Tonnibel.
in the little room back of the cabin,
was searching through the darkness
from the small window. But the only
thing she could see was the dark bank
along which they crept and which
once in a while was lit up by a vivid
streak of lightning.
Suddenly the engine stopped, and as
if she imagined Gussie could help her
she gathered her into her arms.
In a vivid streak of lightning she
saw they were anchored close to
Crowbar point, which protected them
somewhat from the wind. She
crouched low when the little door
opened and Uriah called her name.
Come out here, Tonnibel," he com
handed roughly, and Tony, with Gus
sic in her arms, crept into the cabin,
where Reggie was seated on a bunk,
looking pale and sullen.
''Set down on the floor, brat" com
manded Uriah, and Tonnibel dropped
down. Now listen to me, Tony
went on Devon. Ever since you've
been knee high to a grasshopper you
been as mean as the devil. You always
got in behind Eide when she was here,
but now there amt no skirts to shove
me off. You hear?"
Every vestige of blood left the wan
young face.
where is mummy" she said, lift
ing imploring eyes to his.
"Dead,'' said Devon brutally,. "as
dead as a door nail. Here, my lady,
if You holler I'll rap you one on the
gob.''
"Dead!' cried Tonnibel. Pop,
you're lying to mel know you are!"
Have it your WI way, kid" re-
piled Uriah, with an insolent laugh.
'but one things sure-Ede amt here
to buck against me now. What | want
to get into your thick noodle is you're
goin' to get married as soon as we
get to Auburn. Seer
The girls eyes remained conferred
on his face, horror deep seated in
their gray depths.
Here's Reggie wantin' to marry
you" continued Devon, with a wide
wave at the limp young man. And
when | say you've got to | meal it."
II won't" fell from Tony's lips, but
the awful expression on her face didn't
change nor did she drop her eyes.
Devon took a quick step toward her,
with an appraised arm, and as he had
his wife so he laid the blows
about the girls head and shoulders.
The pig fell from Tony's arms in her
desperate efforts to protect herself.
"Oh, daddy, don't, don't, any more p
she screamed.
Reggie Brown was watching the
brutal scene duly as if it interested
him but little. At the girls fearful
plea Devon stepped back and glared
at her.
Evil you do what l bid you, miss?'
he demanded hoarsely. I'D as soon
you as take a wink"
Tonnibel made no answer save to
weep more wildly, and, because she
did not make ready reply, Uriah
struck her again. Then suddenly
Reginald stood up.
Don't hit 'er any more, Dew" he
irswled. "Shut 'er up a while and
keep 'er without grub, and she'll come
to time. Give 'er a night to think it
over. God, but you've walloped her
black and blue as It's"
In answer to this ADevon picked
Tonyeu III and threw her into the back
cabin. Then he kicked Gussie over
he threshold, slammed the door and
.ocked it.
Philip MacCauley had padded away
rom the Dirty Mary with a dull,
sick fear for the girl he had had TO
cave behind. To fight single-handed a
drunken man with a u was fool
hardy and would do little Tony no
good.
When h reached the corner of the
AXE he ran his craft ashore and SAT
,or a ion. time thinking. Suddenly