The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1922-10-12

IOFt lHe idCtoT > uooT. lnslut the uOOi
Tom Bowyer was standing, and Molly
faced him, white to the lips, and rigid.
"Fve given you your answer many
times" said Molly.
Bowyer smiled. "No decision that
was ever made can't be changed" he
retorted. ''Is ID a crime TO love you
TO want to make you my wifeT'
"No: but II is a crime TO prosecute
me when you know you have no right
to ask me at ALL"
Tom Bowyer, who had cultivated his
RACES until they had mastered him,
could never refrain from falling into
the bully's pose when he met Opposi-
ton. He slammed his fist down fierce
ly Oh the counter.
I'm change your answer, Molly" he
cried. Before | leave this store to-
night. I'll have you at my feet, for all
your pride. DIN 1t. it's your pride |
want as much as YOU. | want to hum
BILE you because there's never been
man or woman | couldn't tame sooner
or later. I'm making you an honorable
proposal. Your fathers a dying man.
Anyone can see that. / want you, and
! val to take care Of him for your
sake. the rest of his days. | ask you
to be my wife, to come to Cold June
ton with me and marry me. D'you sup
pose he could hold his job here an
other day If the company knew he's
p%aralyzed2 m drive him from the
portage unless you marry me and let
him take his pension and live with
u.s."
81 tell you no again. I" cried Molly.
How many times am | to answer you?
Will you 90 nowT"
He caught her by the wrists, thrust
ing his face forward into hers.
She screamed in fear, and they heard
the dragging footsteps Of the factor In
his room above. The old man felt his
way slowly down the stairs and edged
along the counter. There was fear In
his sunken eyes; but 1t was anger
made him tremble.
'Ye go too far, Mr.. Bowyer!" he
quayered. aye Gamma insult my girl
in my own house !"
Get back to bed, you old fool"
sneered Bower. didn't you do your
own -makingT"
IF she Wilma have We | Wilma sell
her! Leave the house and do your
worstl"
IF do" answered Bowyer, "Ill do
1t. D'you mean that? Answer me-,
Mcdonald !"
Thn fn.tn. Cnnl. Lnnlv anime thn
counter and glared at him with hag-
gard eyes, his gray beard brushing his
breast. Bowyer smiled triumphantly.
Speak for me, Mcdonald" he
jeered. Tell her why she'd better
change her mind"
The factor raised his head. MOLLY.
lass" he whimpered, tits a grand OPP
portunity he's offering ye. Have We no
thocht of that? TN be a hame for We
In my old age, when | Gamma care for
ye."
Molly fixed her eyes In horror upon
Mcdonald. But Bower strobe between
them.
you're a fine ve-maker" he
saeered. Get out of the way"
And. lnfiamed almost to madness, he
seized Molly in his arms and pressed
his lips To her cheek and throat again
and again.
II guess you're not so coy as you pre-
tend, Molly" he cried. "You women
are all alike. after all. ! never knew
one yet that wasn't In a hurry to get
hltched up. however much she pretend
ed to dislike it,"
The opening OF the door behind him
made him start. Kitty stood there, and
II was quite clear that she had beer a
spectator of the scene. With a stran-
gled cry Molly broke from Bowyer's
grasp and ran into her room. She
dragged her bed against the door and
stood behind 1t, sobbing with terror
and anger. The factor leaned against
the counter, a look Of dull apathy on
his face. Bowyer turned sheepishly to
Kitty.
well, ! guess you caught me this
time, Mrs. Bostock," he said. "But, be-
Ing a woman, yeall understand"
kitty's disgust for Bowyer held her
silent. She made the slightest gesture
of her head to him and went out OF the
store. Bowyer followed her.
"What does IL mean?' asked Kitty.
ut means that ! want Molly Melon
aid. and I've never wanted any man or
woman yet that ! didn't get" said
Bowyer. Make the most of It." he
clustered. I've as much right as Car
| ruthers. haven't II"
No. said Kitty.
"Why haven't IT,
"Mr. Ca%rruthers was first. They are
engaged"
"What's to stop her breaking it?"
AS his agitation subsidized. Bowyer. o
keen Judge, noticed that kitty's poIse
was unnatural; she seemed labOring
under some suppressed emotion. He
looked quickly into her eyes and saw
that she had been crying. And then he
knew.
A slow smile spread over his face.
Kitty Bostock had not made Big Mus
keg aer home 81 long out OF devotion
tn the memory Of Joe.
With q dellherated impulse Bowyer
Put out his hand aud took hers.
II want W things, Mrs. Bostock."
he said. MOLLY Mcdonald. and the
A -.