The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-02-21

Virgil threw of his coat and his pis
tol-belt. and leaped into the water.
moment before. he would have sho
the beast; now he would save him.
| Tony was not In sight. But soon hi
arose, swimming, and brace saw 4
knife In his hand. In the water Tony
was as much at home as a beaver
He dived, and Virgil knew now that
1t was his aim to dart beneath him and
with the knife to rip him as a skillfu
swimmer rips crocodile. But in the
water the strong man, young BRACE
was at home, too. and turning about
with quick swirl, he waited. Tony
each other. like rival otters-grappled
and struggled, treading water, Shout
ders up. Virgil caught Tony's left
wrist, wrenched his arm limp and
helpless, seized him by the throat, his
left hand steel-gripped about the MUIR
derous right wrist, the knife hand
No mercy now! Fire and water,
their game! Down, gasping, 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. brace turned loose his grip.
The body sank.
Virgil swan ashore and came drip
out of the cane. The old man spoke:
''Tonyl Whar heY"
II have drowned him."
Monsieur was YER strong!"
"If / had brought him to the shore,
he would have sneaked q chance to
murder me-"
"He was the bad man, yes. He
ought be dead, yes. was to keel heem
bimeby. He keel the man here not
long go. Twice he go keel you, an
once he snap the pistol. I 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 house?"
"No. You would reach for q pistol
to shoot me. Stay where you are"
"Monsieur 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
he 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 tangling
the tops of the cane.
He heard the canoe coming.
Father Tahan was kindly and soft
Of voice. For many a despairing
wretch he had held the Cross. At
sight Of him old Stepho's eyes were
IT'LL hard. Time wears granite away.
tut does not mellow 1t. Not yet had
,e granted mercy, and for no pity
.ould he hope.
"Father, this is the man would
,eel. / hate heem, the carpetbag. |
lire"
at is not true" said Virgil. stand.
ng near. II fought against the carpet.
aggers In June, In New Orleans. when
hey were hanging a man. cut him
own."
How great can be an instant changel
he old wolf-eyes dewed soft.
"Oh. monsieur, I was that man?
hey hang me. hear Of the brave
ian, but not know 1t was you. Please
orgive me. TEX the leetle
ell, an know you be kind to her. She
I'VE you. For you she would die.
beg you not to think so
ard Of me. No, my lcetle gel.
OH must not cry"
II did not know yOu," said Drace.
A cloth was about your features.
hink not Of 1t now. Listen to the
ne who has come with message Of
eace and forgiveness"
The priest devoted himself to his
lcred Offices The wind moancd soft.
In the cane.
The priest spoke presently to Virgil.
She must not stay here. Take her
way. and I will see that everything
lall be DONE"
Nadine stood with virgi's coat
llled close about her face. And into
s heart she spoke:
1.-THE sun is low. Virgil. But you
ave me now no more"
THE ENID