The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-12-15

thing human In homespun. the
very moral and pattern of death.
Kneeiing he turned the face TO
view With sick qtihin he saw L
twaSse GIRLS lace. nn,bronzed. yet
pallId. with die pailor Or supreme
exhaustion He knew tlie look he
had seen II on the football field.
when men had won ON courage
against all right odds. He lifted
hands too large for grace, but per.
fectly nodded though catloused
with work Asweil made creature
big, tall, rather. She must top him
by a'full inch, though he STOOD near
SIX feet. CHANGING reyerentIy along
her gracious lengths, he saw q
faint stirring OF breath. Instantly
his flask was TO her fps, It's con
tents tstckling gently down hir
throat, the while her head was pil.
lowed IN the hollow Of his arm:
SO she lay for minutes.they
seemed years to Moran. Blood be
gan TO show through her deadly
pallor. Presently with a gaspins
sigh she sat up, saying. simply, al
most apologetically: "Jest IN time
you come. I'd put all l had IL
holdin'."
How long?" Moran asked hush
eddy. Ever since there was need,
the answer came.
Tell me why you did It." Moran
asked still lower.
She flashed upon him the lightn,
ing Of the deepest blue eyes, say,
ing: my Pap never believed In
murderin-no more do I. Happen
he'd lived, this wouldn't a.been. =
"You know who did IT." from Mo
ran.
she nodded, her brovs drawing
together.
"Tell me! You lnust!' he demand.
ed.
!. She sprang upright, ahaken with
white anger. "so's you and the Law
can do a nice, safe job OF murderin
and get paid for III See you damn.
ed firstI"
"You-you don't mean that-yol
arc above such criminal contrivins
=" Moran began.
She cut him short -Tth scorn'
full laugh and made to dart away
In ten strides he overlook her. She
was still unsteady on her feet.
"You have done the noblesi
thing ! ever knew" he cried. Il
can't let you spoil II. Tell what
you know: It may BIO tho means 81
ending all this bitter trouble"
Sat the foot OF the gallows?''
the girl flung at him, her eyes
flashing blue sparks. Young fool,
I'D rlther not hurt ye; but unless
ye listen to reason III have to-"
What do you mean" he asked.
She smiled almost compassion.
ately,
said. alYou ought to do as much
for the other boys. Hold right
still-let II be thought the rock
felt Jest by itself. Ny word passes,
there'll> be no more sech devil
traps. Say you agree to forgit
all you saw and done--and let It
go at that. Is It q bargain?"
mo-" Moran cried, Selling hold
OF her arms. II hate to take adj
vantage OF my mans strength,
spent as you must be- But you
must come with me and speak the
itrhth to my father. He was on
that train. When he knows he
owes you his life you can ask Of
him almost anything"
You're Akin to owe me your
DEATH" the girl said quietly.
.Braggin' Of mau strength. Look!
and feel!', clutching him around
the middle~and swinging him
upon her shoulder. "Ef you hol-
Ter, I'll have to break your neck
before l drown We. I could do
1t for most any mountain man
you play football, I've heard tell
l-but-what held hack that old
rock can work It's will O. you"
A minute, two, Ave, Moran
writhed and strove. He could not
free himself-manhood FORBADE
striking even this amazon who
had shown so rare conscience.
He said smotheredly, tho words
coming hard: II agree. but listen.
For what you did today I shall do
my best to see the strike settled
without more hurt to anybody.
If that happens-when that hap
pens-1 am coming back to find
you-though Ildon't ask your
name"
"Twouldn't do you any good
I'm changing it mighty short
-.....e-. a