Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1922-09-29

them he roared. "Your fathers a
murderer. He's been wanted by the
police these twenty years or more,
and he's still wanted. The police don't
forget. l knew 1t from the first. lie
came to me and asked my help after
he'd murdered a man in a common
brawl. He wanted TO give himself up,
| told him not to. | got him his job
at the portage, where he'd be secure
I've stood by him, been his friend,
protected him. But I'll protect him no
more"
He wheeled upon the factor. snow
speak to her again." he shouted.
you're her father!" There was In
tense mockery In his tone. shell
obey you. Ask her If she wants you
to swing in the jail-yard at Iorkton
while she's on her honeymoon with
VIII Carruthers!
With a whimpering 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.
ut isn't true, fatherl" 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 1t
to protect her. Tell him it's a lie"
The factors whimpering means
were all her answer. They ceased,
and for a 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 Bower had seen In
the eyes of many men and women be
fore. He knew that the time OF MS
triumph had come.
"Unless l marry you, Tom Bowyer,"
said Molly, "you will betray my father,
who trusted your
Tll give him up to justice" Bow
yer shouted. "Tll fight with what
weapons I've got. Wouldn't any man
who was a man fight for what he
wanted most of al. in the world? II
you don't give up, l swear he'll hang,
You know what Canadian law Is. |
nswear to you I'll have him hanged In
Yorkton inside Of six months II you
don't agree to what I'm asking Of
you"
"And II I do agree?" asked Molly,
shuddering.
The sudden glance Of hope In the
factors eyes went to her heart. But
Mcdonald, crushed under his servi-
tude, had a flicker Of manhood after
all.
Don't do 1t, Molly, lass" he shout
ed. "Tl hang" He turned to Bow
yer. "Tl hang!" he shouted, and then
his voice broke into a whimper.
"Shut up, you old fool" said Bow
yer, contemptuously. IF you agree,
Molly" he said, "the past will all be
forgotten. l swear 1t will. | love you,
and I'll be true to you. I'll give you
everything you want, and I'll make
Mcdonald a home as long as he lives,
: On it! You look as If was asking
something awful of you! What's the
matter with me? Amt l good enough
for you?"
She looked up, to see Bowyer's rec
face peerlng into her own. She shiv'
cred, as If with mortal cold.
"Ill marry you" she said.
NH z1-,,, nv,IIo fhof cYrnnd nynl
Bowers face was Understandable. H'
turned to Mcdonald. "Well, that's set
tied at last" he said, rubbing hi
hands together In gloating self-satis
faction. Get to bed, Mcdonald! Mol!
and l will sit up a while and talk owe
the details of our honeymoon trip
That amt your business. Maybe wei
do q little love-making on the side
too, but not too rough. | guess know
how to handle a grill"
He strobe toward the door an
opened 1t. The factor stood stock-stil
for a moment. Then, at Bowyer's cal
he stumbled toward it, and Bowye
led him across the passage into ar
other room.
you'll be comfortable in here, Nj
Donald" Bowyer shouted, slappln
the old man on the back. "And don
you fear for Molly. I'll take might
good care Of her"
There followed his returning foo
steps, and the sharp, sudden click {
a key. Then came a furious rattlin
from within. Bowyer turned angrily
II" "Go to bed, you old FOOL" b
shouted. Didn't I tell you I'd tai
care of herr"
n. The rafting ceased, but Molly hear
I'd the factors feet shuffling as he stoc
re irresolutely behind his door, listenin
Bowyer came back and slammed Il
IN door behind him. He put his hard
Molly's shoulder.
er "I'm glad that's oil settled at last
he said. cd, you've led me a chas
nd Molly! Hardest I've ever had; but
Re. knew I'd get you In the end"
ad "When do you wish me to mar
your" asked Molly in Ii whisper.
Bower threw back his head al
laughed. "Now you're talking" he q
en- swered. THAT'S the point | was COZ
Id. ing TO. I'm a business man, and |
nd used to paying what | have to
what / want. But I've been thlnki