Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1922-10-06


Bowyer's, ran behind the divan ane
snatched up rifle that stood there
She raised the stock above her head
with both hands.
IF you touch ME again I'll kill
you !" she cried.
Bowyer looked at the factor. "Then
I'll tell her what l know" he said
'For years I've stood by you and
shielded you"
The factors hands went up as If he
were warding off blow, and there
was the mute appeal Of whipped dog
in his eyes. Bowyer went on:
For years I've protected you from
the law. Now I've done with you"
"You can tell me, Tom Bowyer 7"
cried Molly.
He swung toward her. "I'll tell you,
then" he roared. "Your fathers a
murderer. He's been wanted by the
police these twenty years or more,
and he's still wanted. The police don't
forget. knew it from the first. He
came TO me and asked my help after
he'd murdered man In a common
| brawl. He wanted TO give himself up.
told him not to. / got him his job
at the portage, where he'd be secure.
I've stood by him, been his friend.
protected him. But I'll protect him no
more"
He wheeled upon the factor. "Now
speak to her againl" he shouted.
"You're her father" There was In
tense mockery In his tone. "SheTl
oAey you. Ask her If she wants you
to swing in the jail-yard at Yorkton
Win Carruthersl"
With whimpering cry the factor
dropped to his knees and hid his face
in his hands. Molly let the rifle fall
and shrank back against the wall. A
cry broke from her lips.
'Tt isn't true fatherp she begged,
fixing her eyes in terror upon the fac
tors. Tell him 1t isn't true. You
didn't kill that man who insulted my
mother And, if you did, you did it
to protect her. Tell him it's a liel"
The factors whimpering means
were all her answer. They ceased, |
and for a full minute there was not |
the least sound in the room. Slowly |
Molly raised her head, and the look |
that had come into her eyes at last |
was one that Bowyer had seen in
the eyes of many men and women be- |
fore. He knew that the time of his
triumph had come.
"Unless 1 marry you, Tom Bowyer,"
said Molly, you will betray my father,
who trusted your"
''I'll give him up to justice" Bow
yer shouted. "P1 fight with what
weapons I've got. Wouldn't any man
who was a man fight for what he
wanted most of all in the world? If
you don't give up, swear HEN hang.
You know what Canadian law is.
swear to you I'll have him hanged in
Yorkton inside of six months If you
don't agree to what I'm asking Of
you"
And if l do agreeT asked Molly,
The sudden glance of hope in the
factors eyes went to her heart. But
crushed under his servi-
tude, had flicker Of manhood after
all.
Don't do 1t, Molly, lass !" he shout
ed. "Ill hangw He turned to Bow
yer. "I'll hangl" he shouted, and then
his voice broke into a whimper.
"Shut up, you old fool" said Bow
yer, contemptuously. IF you agree,
Molly" he said, "the past will all be
forgotten. l swear it will. love you,
and I'll be true to you. I'll give you
everything you want, and I'll make
Mcdonald a home as long as he lives.
On It You look as if l was asking
awful of you'll What's the
natter with me? Amt l good enough
'or you?"
She looked up, to see Bowyer's red
face peering into her own. She shiv-
cred, as If with mortal cold.
"I'll marry you," she said.
The slow smile that spread over
3owyers face was indescribable He
urned to Mcdonald. "Well, that's set ,
led at last" he said, rubbing his 5
lands together in gloating self-satis- !
action. Get to bed, Mcdonald Molly [
md l will sit up while and talk over I
he details of our honeymoon trip. $
That amt your business. Maybe Wen
10 little love-making on the side,
90, but not too rough. l guess know \
low to handle a girl !" 9
He strobe toward the door and Q
pened 1t. The factor stood stock-still \
or a moment Then, at Bowyer's call, G
e stumbled toward it, and Bowyer b
ID him across the passage into an b
Their room. Y
you'll be comfortable in here, Nc II
'onaldw Bowyer shouted, slapping
he old man on the back "And don't u
GU fear for Molly. I'll take mighty F
God care of her." q
There followed his returning foot
tops, and the sharp, sudden click of D
key. Then came a furious rafting ;,
'om within. Bowyer turned angrily. n
go to bed, you old fool" he d
louted. Didn't tell you I'd take B
are of herr" II