Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-01-11

tOl-belt, and ledped into the water. A
moment before. he would shave sho,
the beast now he would save him.
Tony was not in sight. But soon he
arose, swimming, and brace saw q
knife In his hand. In the water Tony
was as much at home as a beaver
lie dived, and Virgil knew now that
1t was his aim 20 dart beneath him and
with the knife to rip him as a skIllfuI
swimmer rips n crocodile. But In the
water the strong man, young Drace,
was at home, too. and turning about
with d quick swirl. he waited. Tony
came up and now they came toward
each other, like rival otters-grappled
and struggled. treadlng water, shoul-
ders up. Virgil caught Tony's left
wrist, wrenched his arm limp and
helpless, seized him by the throat, his
left hand steel-grfpped about the muir
derous right wrist, the knife hand.
No mercy nowl Fire and water,
their camel Down. gasplng, down
The head beneath the surface, the
hand still out, striving to stab. Slowly
the hand opened; the knife dropped;
the hand closed-half opened, was
limp. Drace turned loose his grip.
The body sank.
n8rKiI@s "a ashore and came drip
out of the eaHe.-TAe old man spoke:
Tony Whar he?"
81 have drowned him."
uAf,..t..,~ ,,.a- .-ars ct-opU -
IF / had brought him to the shore,
he would have sneaked a chance to
murder me"
HE was the bad man. yes. He
ought be dead. yes. Twas 10 keel heem
bimeby. He keel the man here not
long go. Twice he go keel you, an
once he snap the pistol. l set the trap
for you to be stabbed In the water.
Then there be no blood to tell the
tale. Now | am so sor'. VIII monsieur
pull me into the holise?"
mo. You would reach for a pistol
to shoot me. Stay where you are"
"Monsleur have still suspicion. We
wait"
Virgil put on his coat. his belt, and
sat down on the grass. The old man
was silent. his eyes closed. He might
be dead, but no matter. More than an
hour dragged by. the breeze moaning
In the cane. Virgil arose and stood
near the chair. Stepho. opened his
eyes, but was silent. Virgil sat down
again and waited. the wind tangllng
the tops Of the cane.
He heard the canoe coming.
Father Tahan was kindly and soft
of voice. For many n despalrlng
wretch ne had held the Cross. At
sight OF him old Stepho's eyes were
SIN hard. Time wears granite away,
but does not mellow 1t. Not yet had
granted mercy, and for no pity
could he hope.
Father, this Is the mar I would
keel. l hate heem, the carpetbag-
ut is not true" said Virgil, stand
Ing near. ~ fought against the carpet
baggers In June. in New Orleans. when
tHty WERE HuhbihS a man. 4 "a Ahh
How great can be nm instant changed
The old wolf-eyes dewed soft.
ooh, monsieur, / was that mani
They hang me. I hear OF the brave
man. but / not know 1t was you. Please
me. TEX the leetle
gel, an I know you be kind to her. She
you. For you she would die.
Monsieur, I beg you not TO think so
hard Of me. No. my leetle gel.
you must not cry"
81 did not know you,'' said Drace.
"A cloth was about your features.
Think not of II now. Listen to the
ne who has come with a message Of
and forgiveness"
The priest devoted himself TO his
offices. The wind mosAed soft
v In the cane. /. I
The priest spoke presently TO Virgil.
She must not stay here. Take her !
way, and / will see that everything {
hall be done"
Nadine stood with virgils coat !
pulled close about her face. And into !
lis heart she spoke: !
1.-THE sun Is low, Virgil. But you
cave me now no more" '
THE ENID