The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-01-13

fContifiuer rom Last Issue
fol'fi dfink?, Joe asked Bill.
Tine woodman's face was grave.
-WoclpaW Its against the law Of
his province TO give or receive
iiquor from Ind ians, ha replied
srnyely. eI9yon't drink tonight. 7
Peto turned with Q seowl. His
fLougfit had already. flashed 20 the
White blade at his belt. You're
dann pafticuiar-" 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
fresh courage. from Its fire.
Have q drink ." Joe asked vlr-
gina,
she didn't like the tone OF his
voice. He was speaking with en-.
lire familiarity and again she ex-
pected interference from Harold.
Her lance, however. was lingering
The bottle. She saw Bill straight.
en-, ever so little and ebheld the
tlrst signs Of rising anger in the
set o. his lips.
NO. the girl responded colby.
) Tile others poured themselves
mighty drinks staggering portions
thar more than half-emptied the
first Of the quarts. Then they
drew back their heads and drained
The CUBS
ky
"a little toast-and everybody
stand up, Harold, getting drunk.
e. finally proposed.
sye're going to drink TO Vir-
giniat To my future wife, gentle.
men-the lady who's promised me
lief tandl Look at her there, you
breeds the most beautiful woman
Chat ever came to tho North. Drink
Eher downl'
The burning poison poured into
lkheir threats! Virginia glanced at
her pistoi Her face was no longer
merely anxious, Bill still sat. help
less and blind, against the wall.
She had not dared TO resent
aloud the bandying Of her name,
the insult 81 their searching eyes
ufion her beauty.
It seemed % her that she heard
0 hhlf.mtittered exclamation from
Bill. but HIS face belied It. And in
reality the mans thoughts were
rs busy as never before.
( He opened his eyes, struggling
Nor vision. But he could not make
out the forms OF the men at all,
except when they crossed in front
Of the candles.
1riie candles themselves were
mere points of yellow between his
The men drank another round,
smptying Che first quart and be.
ginning upon the second.
You're a pretty little witch, !"
Harold addressed Virginia. "You
ave hard To kiss but your kisses
are worth having. What you think
about that 5oe? Aren't tellin' tho
soeiS Rfllis first impression had
been right after all. Virginia
htAtd the Name, too and her fears
ineteaSeds
sIoe she repeated. "You know
hlt then?,s, l,si 80,
~ course ] know Joe. Hes an
old friend He's one that Bill told
reger 70 show his face in this part
OF Clearwater again-but you don't
sse anything happening to him, do
yon2s
ne waited hoping that Bill
would make response. But the lat
tes was holding hard.
ION see he hasn't anything to
say Harold gloated, ~ asked
Won a question, Joe-abont Wir.
ginia Didn't i tell the truth.
don't know" Joe replied.
Shes pretty enough But I've
lever kissed herr q.
The girl flinched. then caught
hefselt with "a half sob. She re.
solved to make one more appeal.
oh Harold p1ease please be
scareful what you say" she plead
cd You're drunk now-but don't
forget you were q gentleman
once. Don't drink any more. Don't
let those Indians drink any more
either
A gentleman once, Ell? So you
don't think I'm one any more.
But Bill there hes one, amt he?
NJ seems TO! me you've been get
ting kind Of bossy around hero,
lately and sthe women Of we
4.