The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-01-13
IcontInaea sFrom IL IIsausl
@ fnn'll drink n zoe asked BIN.

/
the s'oodman's face was grave.
Hwooipaw re against the law Of
Ibis province TO give or receive
liquor from Indians, he replied
sraYely I8Yon't drink tonight. 4,
Pete turned with . scowl. His
ti.ought had already. flashed 70 the
white blade at his belt. you're
damn pgrticular-" he began.
But Joe shook his head restrain.
ing him The hour to strike had
not vet come. They must enjoy
their liquor first and engender
ffesh courage. from its fire.
Have q drink ." Joe asked Yir-
she didn't like the tone OF his
voice He was speaking with en-.
tire familiarity and again she ex-
pected interference from Harold.
Her flance, however, was lingering
the bottle. She saw Bill straight.
en- ever so little and ebheld the
first Signs Of rising anger in the
ret &c his lips.
No the girl responded colby,
y The others poured themselves
mighty drink staggering portions
that more than half-emptied the
first ot the quarts. Then they
drew back their heads and drained
the CUBS
IA little toast-and everybody
stand npy Harold, getting drunk.
or finally proposed.
syYeres going to drink 70 Vir-
gini1I To my future wife, gentle.
men the lady who's promised mo
her handt Look at her there, you
breeds the most beautiful woman
Chat ever came TO the North. Drink
lfher down."
The burning poison poured into
ltiiefr throats. Virginia glanced at
her pistol. Her face was no longer
merely anxious. Bill still sat. help
less and blind, against the wall.
She had mot dared to resent
aloud the bandying Of her name,
the insult ot their searching eyes
upon her beauty.
II seemed 70 her that she heard
q hhlt.muttered exclamation from
Blu. hut his face belied 1t. And in
reality the mans thoughts were
as busy as never before.
( He opened his eyes, struggling
tor vision. But he could not make
oft the forms OF the men ut all,
except when they crossed in front
Of the candles.
Tile candles themselves were
mere points OF yellow between his
LIDS.
The men drank another round,
emptying the first quart and be.
ginning upon the second.
YOU'RE @ pretty little witch, :"
Harold addressed Virginia. "You
are hard 10 kiss but your kisses
are worth having. What you think
aboht that Joe /? Aren't l tellin' tho
tptiigs,,
5ost Btii;s first impression had
been right, after all. Virginia
he6fd the name, TOO. and her fears
iicteased fi,''9s
zoe? she repeated "You know
flltr, then?.t I, n,
Df course know Joe. Hes an
Old friend He's one That Bill told
never u show his face In this part
~ Clearwater again-but you don't
see nything happening to him, do
songeg &
He waited hoping that Bill
would make response. But the lat
to- was holding hard.
Tou see he hasn't anything to
say Harold gloated. II asked
YOU a question, Joe about Wiz.
ginia Didn't ] tell the. truth.
II don't know Joe replied.
SHE pretty enough But I've
newer kissed herr
The girl dinched. then caught
herself with "a half sob., Sho re.
solved 10 make one more appeal.
rDh, Harold please please be
careful what you say" she plead
"a You're drunk now-but don't
forget you were a gentleman
once. Don't drink any more. Don't
let those Indians drink any more
either.
gentleman once. eh? So you
don't think Inn one any more.
But Bill there-he's one, amt he?
NJ seems to inc you've been get.
ting kind Of bossy around here,
iateiy and the women OF We
northern men don't behave that
I'm not your woman. thank
God-and ! ask you to be careful"
$50 Sou're not my woman. chg"
No. no. no! never wifi bel"
The girls eyes were blazing and
she had forgotten her fear in her
magnificent wrath.