The Elk Mountain pilot. [volume] (Irwin, (Ruby Camp), Gunnison County, Colo.) 1880-19??, 1921-07-21

She had stolen this child from her
father, and now she had to escape the
consequences of her wicked deed. She
had TO go away, and that quickly. If
she had dared to face her husbands
wrath, she would have, then and
there. communicated with Paul Pen
dlehaven.
She reached out and touched Tomb
bells face.
Baby, darlin', wake up" she said.
II want to ask you something r.
Tony opened her slumber-laden eyes
and smiled.
Don't go to sleep again." exclaimed
Mrs. Devon. hoarsely. Tel me this.
Do you honest believe what you said
about that thing on the card? About
it bein' holy?"
"Yep,' asserted Tony. with droop-
ing eyelids
you don't want to hurt Uriah and
me, do you. honey?"
The girl shook her head slowly, and
doubtful shadow settling in her eyes.
seemed to make her wider awake.
81 wouldn't hurt you. darlin'," she
replied at length. "but sometimes.
when daddy's beatin' you, feel like
whackin' the life out of him. Why
today"
Edith stopped her by tug at her
sleeve.
brought. I mean If you took an oath.
would you keep it?" she asked hoarse-
ly.
"You bet I would" There was
amazement, surprise and eagerness in
the young voice.
Didn't you tell me the Teller said
Jesus was holy bird?"
Tony nodded.
Mrs. Devon gripped her fingers
about the girls arm.
"Mebbe he's in the Dirty Mary here,
only you can't see him. baby dear?"
The woman's voice was slyly toned.
but she shivered in superstition.
"He's right here" affirmed the girl,
thinking of boys earnest uplifted
face and vibrant assurances.
"Then say after me what I'm
thinkin' Of" said Edith.
Tony lifted her eyes to her mothers,
but drew back when she discovered
how terrible she looked, white like n
dead person.
81 swear by the Twin Jesus" began
Edith, and then she paused. "Say it."
she Kissed.
'I swear by the Twin Jesus" Tony
repeated fearfully.
81 swear to my mummy never to
say nothin' mean against Uriah De-
Won. my daddy" went on Mrs. Devon.
Tony repeated this. too, almost
frightened into fits. She had never
seen her mother look and act so mys-
teriously.
you'll be blasted to hell If you break
your word, I won't never tell that my
father beat my poor mummy, or thai
he's a thief and liar" A thick
fearless sob burst from the woman's
lips and brought an ejaculation from
the girl
IT swear to 1t all, honey mummy
she cried. "You believe me, Edie
darlin', don't your"
Eyes. 1 believe you," replied Edith
DULY. Crawl into bed, and go II
sleep. baby dear"
Shiveringly Tony Devon got bacl
under the blanket.
Then for more than an hour there
was silence on the canal boat. silence
that was broken only by the night
noises outside.
Then, extremely weak, the woman
prepared herself to go out. 1t took
her n long time to write note she
had to leave for Tony, and when that
was finished, she divided the money
the doctor had left and stole softly
from the boat
1t was in the full blaze of morning
sun that Tonnibel opened her eyes and
looked around the cabin. The other
bunk was empty and her mother was
not in the cabin. In her night clothes,
Tonnibel went to the deck, shouting
the name, Edith" her strong young
voice repeating itself back from the
woods in echoes. Then she went down.
stairs again and began to dress
hastily, and every moment her fear
was growing. She spied the note
pinned to the lamp handle and stared
at 1t mutely as II dreading to know its
contents, but she unpinned it with I'm
gers that seemed to be all thumbs.
Her legs were shaking so she had to
sit down to read it.
"Tony DEAR" it began.
"Pn going to look up Uriah. took
part of the money. We might need
some. You can go to- work some