The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-01-06

slant as II seeking an answer. It
seemed 10 the other white man
that his eye fen 70 the rifle that
Bill lcarried. Then he spoek again.
gesturtng. The gesture that he
made was four fingers held before
the Indians eyes. Then he an
nounced that he was ready to go.
During the long trudge through
the snow, from Harold's camp to
4 Bill's cabin, tho two spoke not a
word. Harold's mind was busy
with dark and devious thoughts,
crafty schemes and desires more
kindred to lust than to love. Bills
thoughts were more for Virginia
than for himself; would his loss be
equalized by her gain?
AS they neared the cabin they
saw the candlellght, like a pale
ghost, In the window. Virginia was
still up. reading perhaps, before
the fire.
"WaIt" Bill commanded.
There's one thing more. I've
brought you here. I've given you
your chance-for redemption. God
knows IL l had my choice I'd have
killed you first. She's not going to
know about the squaw unless you
tell her. Those matters are an
for you to decide. l won't inter-
fere."
He paused, and Harold waited.
"But don't forget I'm here" he
went on. II work for her-until
she gets out Of my charge I'm her
guide, her protector. the guardian
OF her happiness. That's all care
about-her happiness. l don't
know whether or not / dtd wrong
TO bring q squaw man to her-uIt
II you're man enough to hold her
love and make her happy, 1t
doesn't matter. But l give-one
warning.
His voice changed 1t took on a
quality of infinite and immutablc
prophecy. In the darkness and the
silence the voice might have come
from some higher realm, speaking
the irrevocable law OF the forest
gods.
She'll be more or less In your
power at times up here. l won't be
with you every minute. But II you
take one jot OF advantage Of that
fact-either in word Or deed-I'll
break you and smash you and kill
you in my hands!"
Y
words tn 20 home Harold al sb,v Sae
ed ms n with cold
"Go n, I'M he said "sbe,s
waiting for Won :"
Xr
"Who's thereq" Virginia called
as n Won puIq"
"It,s MT mi :" tbe anwsor came
"But has here +"
"Who IL ~" aha asked again
steadjlv as she comId
ats Harold Lounsburv hi,
told mo tn como I"
Virginia for The monent stood
stilI irving n nn;at her laon;ns
henrt and her fInttertng neryee
| Her hands Chased NJ her breast
then she walked 70 tho threshoId
and oDened the door '"' va ''A'0lu
Harold Tmnsbnrv etenred
through hlinktnr In tba cordle.
light
"Harold" She tnurmured nm.
s,ea5;Iv sbo D tjrod " - 1 Ill ou aIr
Il really vo S u s're% ~ - 'ni'e' Is
/ "It's r" no pnsworad "yuo,ve
come tnpetherWot Iaet
Tho words seemad " ro1,v ba-
scat terod facvitios ~ Gay H0t
TnstiDeti , her evos swan+ b,s
face and form An do,ht wa aS
mast. this man vae rrGnestSoreh11
/ Harold Val che woe socrotI,, onJ
var,IeIv ehocta5 '
He saized Ser hands I, ho,h =.
ME "V,roIn,o :" 10 on,od wi ",t ~.
Cod CAM Sa,,ano a. I,o,,n '
! Sbo remo5noJ s;ns,,Io ~ ooo, !,
the ar5nr oF tbis S n-.s "I1;hn IG I,sn ~
Won write?" sSe ss,od S S1S1h,
| Sidn,t vo,, corna haranS" WY
Ths ouastion i ,ro ., o,,h.-
nsing him fnriba- n,t TIosoIJ -.
his easa Ha bo5 p nranaaS a." az a.
! inst thesa o,,er.,os " pop"'u Ao'
II did w g he cried .ewbv
Sd1,. VIZ ~, wiz" "nu1.o.5 ne cF'eo' why
S5o la "re aHS ~ H., :.
"Yon didEwon ~ saw saw :" v s"S1 L,not =
ma9a ~" ''u "t'te
"wrota, 7 vro+a q io,a, .;,,os
And 7 neve. roce;vad S,or s;I1e o. :
cent frnm Irtea NotS.a "of
@But Jnles Na a Ma.
than I 10 daod," enai-'uies ma
HE Isl" But Harold's surprise