Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1922-10-27

I've stood BY him, been his friend
protected him. But I'll protect him nc
more
He wheeled upon the factor. Nov
speak to her again. he shouted
"You're her father y There was In.
tense mockery in his tone. shell
obey you. Ask her IL she wants you
to swing in the jail-yard at YorktOn
Will Carruthers y
With whimpsring cry the factor
dropped to his knees and hid his face
in his hands. Molly let the rifle fall
and shrank back against the wall. A
cry broke from her lips.
cit isn't true, father!' she begged,
fixing her eyes in terror upon the fac
tors. "Tell him 1t isn't true. You
didn't kill that man who insulted my
mother! And. if you did, you did it
to protect her. Tell him it's lie!"
The factors whimpering means
were all her answer. They ceased,
and for full minute there was not
the least sound in the room. Slowly
Molly raised her head, and the look
that had come into her eyes at last
was one that Bowyer had seen in
the eyes of many men and women be-
fore. He knew that the time Of his
triumph had come.
unless l marry you, Tom Bowyer,"
said Molly, "you will betray my father,
who trusted your
"I'll give him up to justice" Bow
yer shouted. "Tll fight with what
weapons I've got. Wouldn't any man
who was man fight for what he
wanted most Of all in the world? If
you don't give up, I swear he'll hang
You know what Canadian law is.
swear to you I'll have him hanged in
Yorkton inside Of six months If you
don't agree to what I'm asking of
you"
And if I do agree2" asked Molly,
shuddering.
The sudden glance Of hope in the
factors eyes went to her heart. But
Mcdonald, crushed under his servi-
tude, had flicker Of manhood after
all.
Don't do it, Molly, lass!" he shout
ed. "Ill hangw He turned to Bow
yer. "rll hang!" he shouted, and then
his voice broke into whimper.
"Shut up, you old fool |" said Bow
yer, >contemptuously. IF you agree,
Molly" he said, "the past will all be
forgotten. swear it will. love you,
and I'll be true to you. I'll give you
everything you want, and I'll make
Mcdonald home as long as he lives.
On it! You look as If I was asking
something awful Of you! What's the
matter with me7 Amt good enough
for you?"
She looked up, to see Bowyer's red
face peering into her own. She shiv-
cred, as If with mortal cold.
"I'll marry you," she said.
The slow smile chat spread over
Bowyer's face was tndescribable. He
turned to Mcdonald. "Well, that's set
tied at last" he said, rubbing his
hands together in gloating self-satis-
faction. "Get to bed, Mcdonald Molly
and will sit up a while and talk over
the details Of our honeymoon. trip.
That amt your business. Maybe Wen
do a little love-making on the side,
too, but not too rough. guess know
how to handle girl r.
He strobe toward the door and
opened 1t. The factor stood stock-still
for a moment. Then, at Bowyer's call,
he stumbled toward it, and Bowyer
led him across the passage into an
other room.
you'll be comfortable in here, Nc
Donald' Bowyer shouted, Shaping
the old man on the back. "And don't
you fear for Molly. TIL take mighty
good care Of her."
There followed his returning foot
steps, and the sharp, sudden click OF
a key. Then came furious rattling
from within Bowyer turned angrily.
$50 to bed, you old fool!" he
shouted. Didn't I tell you I'd take
care Of herr"
The rafting ceased, but Molly heard
the factors feet shuffling as he stood