Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1922-11-30


hind Us, with all ito wealth, we might
have chance; II we had an arsenal
of rifles with thousands Of cartridges.
we might make stand against them.
But we are three-two women and one
man-and one rifle between us all. Five
little shells to be expended in five Sec
onds. They are seven or eight, each
man armed, each man. rife shot.
They are certain to attack within a
day or two-before we have the moon
again. In less than two weeks we
can no longer contest their title to the
estate. A little month or two more
and we will be showed in-with no
chance to get out at all.
'Perhaps before that" she told him.
Eyes. Perhaps before that"
They found a confirmation Of this
prophecy in the signs Of fall without
the coloring leaves, the dying flowers,
the new, cold breath Of the wind. Only
the pines remained unchanged; they
were the same grave sentnels they
always were.
"And you can forgive mer Linda
asked, humbly.
forgive you1 The man turned to
her in surprise. ''What have you done
that needs to be forgiven
"Oh, don't you sect To bring you
here-out Of your cities-to throw your
life away. TO enlist yon in a fight
that you can't hope to win. I've killed
you. that's all I've done. Perhaps
tonight perhaps few days later"
He nodded grayely.
"And I've already killed your smile"
she went on, looking down. You don't
smile any more the way you used to.
You're not the boy you were when you
came. Oh, to think Of it-that It's all
been my work: To XIII your youth,
to lead you into this slaughter pen
where nothing nothing lives but
death-and hatred-and unhappiness. -
The tears leaped to her eyes. He
caught her hands and pressed them be.
tween his until pain came into her
fingers. "Listen, Linda" he command.
ed. She looked straight up at him.
"Are you sorry. Gamer
More than I can tell you-for your
sake"
"But when people look for the truth
in this world, Linda, they don't take
any ones sake into consideration. They
balance all things and give them their
true worth. Would you rather that
you and I had never met--that I had
never received Elmira's message-that
you should live your life up here with
out ever hearing Of mel"
She dropped her eyes TT isn't fair
to ask me that"
'.Tell me the truth. Hasn't II been
worth whilel Even II we lose and
die before this night IL done, hasn't
it all been worth whilei Are you sor.
~ you have seen me changer Isn't
the change for the better-a man
grown instead Of boyl One who
looks straight and sees clear1'
He studied her face; and after
while he found his answer. It was
not In the form Of words at arst. As
a man might watch miracle he
watched n npw 1fpht RnnS fnfn hos
DARK eyes An the gloom and sorro,v
Of the wilderness without could not:
affect liz nualitv II waa a lioht ~
toy. Of exultation. Of new.fonnd,
strength.
:.Yon hadn't ouoht - ash mo tho.
Brnce.r she said With . rather str.ines
distinctnes.. at haa been like being
born arnfn There aren't anv vnrss
to tell you what II has meant ~ na
And doa,t think haven,t aaen t,a
change In you too-the birth of : new
strength that every dav "a craatar
hieher-unttl II is-almost nose ann
I can understand The old smiles A
aone. lint aoumethins else haa t.ken
...s.ss
tnear piac@something much more
dear 70 me-out what It e can hard
to smile His face lighted Is remem.