Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-01-06

baffled, and answered in the same
language.
Once more the Indian questioned,
and Harold hesitated an instant, as
If seeking an answer. 1t seemed TO
the other white man that his eye fell
to the rifle that Bill carried. Then
ne spoke again, gesturing. The GEES
fture that he made was four fingers
held before the. Indians eyes. Then
he announced that he was ready to
go.
During the long trudge through
the snow, from harold's camp to
Bills cabin, the two men 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- Bill's
thoughts were more for Virginia
than for himself; would his loss be
equalized by her gain?
! AS they neared the cabin they saw
the candlelight, like 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 if | had
my choice I'd have killed you first.
She's not going to know about the
squaw, unless you tell her. Nor
about the filth you lived in. Those
matters are all for you to decide.
! won't Interfere"
He paused and Harold waited.
But don't forget I'm here" he
went on. 81 work for her--until she
gets out of MY charge Pm her guide,
her protector, the guardian of her
happiness. That's all / care about
her happiness. | don't know whether
or not did wrong to bring squaw
man to h9r--sut if you're man
enough to hold her love and make
her happy it doesn't matter. But
|give-one warning"
His voice changed. It took on a
quality of infinite and immutable
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. Iwon't be
with you every minute. But if YOU
take one jot of advantage of that
fact-either in word or deed-I1l
break you and smash you ard kill
you with my handsv'
He waited an instant for the words
to go home. Harold shivered as if |
with cold. =
Go on in" he said, "she's wait
ing for you"
XII.
Who's there?" Virginia called.
!Is it you, Bin?" l.
Its not Bill, but he's here"
who is it?" she asked again, +
steadily as she could.
Its /, Harold Lounsbury, Bill |
told me to come"
Virginia for the moment stood /
still, trying to quiet her leaping heart
and her f1uttering nerves. Her hands
clasped at her breast, then she
walked to the threshold and opened
the door.
Harold Lounsbury stepped through
blinking in the candlehght.
Harold" she murmured unsteadi-
ly. She tried to smile. SIS it really
you, Harold?"
Its l." he answered. "We've
come together-at last"
The words seemed to rally her
scattered faculties.
lnstinctively her eyes swept his
lace and form. All doubt was past;
thus man was unquestionably Har
old. Yet she was secretly and vague
ly shocked.
He seized her hands in both of
his, Virginia." he cried, "My |
God, I-can't believe it's YOU"
She remained singularly cool in the !
ardor of this cry "Why didn't you |
writer" she asked. "Why didn't Won
come homer"
The questions, instead of embar
RAISING him further, put Harold at
his ease. He had prepared for just
these queries.
Il did WRITE" he cried. "Why
didn't you answer?"
She stared at him in amazement.. !,