The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-10-10
(Continued from las5 issusJ
CHAPTER x


In the night, in that hour Of self
reproach which comes to us all. Virgil
awoRe in a rage with himself. He had
been dreaming, had seen himself infirm
Of purpose, without character. Back
TO Highland Bruce he traced his an
ceStry, and was he to be the first Of
his race to prove degenerate, TO tram
pie upon the memory of his father, to
loll. in stupid love, to give his soul to
q: creature far beneath him in birth
and. schooling, a girl whose father had
murdered! Out of bed he got, and
bowed with the weight of shame,
walked the uneven floor, for his slow
steps were dOddering.
tChught} in an instant, fly in a
speck Of Jelly, and have never been
able TO get free" he reproached him
ne Even Liberty Shottle, the slave
1T. cards and dice, can see my weak
ness and must laugh at me. But by
the God IA Heaven it shall not be. In
this land there is no law. l bring my
0wnlaw with me, my oath. and a smile
aAd a word Of flattering love babe me
put i aside, and let IT slip from me.
New ! must redeem myself"
He stood at the window. Gamecocks
were Growing the dawn, a courageous
challenge to all the world. No, there
would be no weakening now. The
swedish comedy had been played. -
Swiftly he dressed himself, stole
dowHxtairs, out Of the house, down to
the river. There was no boat, but no
matter, he would walk to Willow Head.
Realizing that 1t was yet too early for
the execution of his grim purpose, he
halted at a wayside place, ate break
fast and waited for the sun. Then not
IN Hurried haste, but deliberate In
strength, he walked on to Willow
Head, crossed over, found his neglected
rope where, in a hollow stump In
backsttdihg weakness he had hidden 1t.
buttoned It beneath his coat and strobe
down into the swamp.
1t was a long way to his canoe near
the sMuscadlne isle, and then a long
pull to Periwinkle house, but there
was time enough. Stepho would not
20 away till Thursday. All. he would
10 away no more, for now on Tuesday
lie must settle with the spirit of Alfred
Drace
Mists lowered about, but the island
was In blaze Of light. Silently the
canoe slit the satin water. Silently
he landed. Determined vengeance may
pick its way as softly as eager love
and in the cane, sharper Of whisper
now that the weather was cool. he
made. not sound Out into the open
he .peered. No one within sight. On
the bark of the live oak were the dead
flowers of yesterday. There in the
shade was the box that had served as
table, once so prettily strewn with
violets.
In spite of his VOW Of vengeance and
Ills hatred Of StephO, these things
caught at Braces heart, shook his
fixed purpose Of action. Fors many
minutes he waited-no sign Of Stepho,
Of anyone. And then his blood leaped
for soft hands suddenly blinded him
from behind, soft laughter bubbled
over at his establishment. And dark
thoughts, and dark purposes fled on
the wind as he caught Nadine and
Rugged her close.
s:-"Now for your punishment" And
he kissed her.
''Oh, you must not again .
Virgil, I cannot like you when you are
rude. .. You must not"
IT don't want you just to like me. ;"
''You do not? Then I will try not to.
:; 49,. Come and sit down, Virgil.
Youe.worked 80 hard for your kisses
you must he tired. How did
you guess?"
.'Guess whatT he asked as she led
him to the sofa and he sat gazing en-
tranced as she captured and impris.
gned her guerrilla bands Of hair.
$y.That Father and Tony had gone
hunting today. But they may be back
At any time, Virgil. You must not
stay -.
t.'But I must stay; you hold me pris'
oner. I must stay until you love me
is madlysas L do you" s2} -,, i r.
sS@aAs madly as you 10 me? That
might not be so much mad, Virgil
but why should I love your"
Because you are to be my wife. We
are engaged"
"Are we? I did not know that,
why you not tell me sooner?"
II did, and now you must know It,"
'But I did not. Then I must be
stupid, yes?" 49,
1.-THE whole universe Is stupid II II
denies it. The angels are stupid II
they fail to see it." ..
' .Oh, you must not talk like that. II
Is worse than swearing the big oath
And am to be your wife, Mrs
virgil? Then what do we do? Go
about and sing with the fiddler"
..No, we go to the beautiful places