The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-02-22
CHAPTER XVI

y" "S sun, uul toliSHt there Seplnef
none at all. The reason was merely
that heavy banks of clouds swept up
from the southeast jus, after sunset.
They came with rather startling rap
idity and almost immediately complete
~ filled the sky. Young Bill had many
things on his mind as he rode beneath
them. yet he found time to gaze at
them with some curiosity. They were
of singular greenish hue, and they
hung so low that the tops of nearby
mountains were obscured.
The fact that there would be no
moon tonight was no longer important.
The clouds would have cut off any tell
tale light that might illumine the ac-
Invites Of the Turner's. There would
not be even the dim mist Of starlight.
Young Bill rode from house to house
through the estate-the homes Occu-
pied by SimOn's brothers and cousins
and their respective families. He
knocked on each door and he only
gave one little message. "Simon wants
you at the house." he said, "and come
heeled."
He would turn to 60, but always a
singular quiet and breathlessness re-
manned in the homes after his de-
parture. There would be a curious
exchange of glances and certain signif-
icant sounds. One Of them was the
Slipped into the magazine of a rifle.
Another was the buckling on of spurs,
and perhaps the rattle of a pistol in
its holster. Before the night fell In
reality, the clan came rfding-strange,
tall figures in the half-darkness-
straight for Sfmon's house.
His horse was saddled, too, and he
net them in front of his door. And in
a very few words he made all things
plain to them.
We've found Dave" he told them
simply. Most of you already know-it.
We've decided there isn't any use of
waiting any more. We're going TO the
Folger house tonight"
The men stood silent, breathing
hard. Simon spoke very quietly, yet
his voice carried far. In theft growing
excitement they did not observe the
reason, that II puZzling, deep calm had
come over the whole wilderness world.
Even in the quieteSt night there is US
Hally a faint background of winds In
the mountain realms-troubled breathS
that whisper in the thickets and rustic
the dead leaves-but tonight the heavy
air had no breath of life.
Tonight Bruce Folger is going to
pay the price, just as ! said" He
spoke rather boastingly /; perhaps more
TO impress his followers than from i'm
pulse. Indeed, the passion that ne
felt left no room for his usual ar
rogance. Fire on sight. Bill and !
will come from the rear, and we will
be ready to push through the back door
the minute you break through the
front. The rest Of you surround the
house on three sides. And remember
no man is to touch Linda"
They nodded grimly; then the file
of hOrsemen started toward the ridge.
Far distant they heard a sound such
as had reached them often in summer
but was unfamiliar In fall. 1t was
the faint rumble of distant thunder.
=
Bruce and Linda sal I'm the front
room of the FoIger house, quiet and
watchful and unafraid. 1t vas not
that they did not realize their danger
They had simply taken all possible
measures of defense; and they were
waiting for what the night would
bring forth.
II know they'll come tonight" Linda
had said. Tomorrow night there will
be a noon, and though IL won't give
much light, 1t will hurt their chances
of success. Besides-they've found
that their other plot-to kill you from
ambush-isn't going TO work"
Bruce nodded and got up TO examine
the shutters. He wanted no ray oi
light to steal out into the growing
darkness and make a target. II was
a significant fact that the rifle did not
occupy its usual place behind the desk
Bruce kept il in his hands as he made
TIVE Inspection. Linud hdu heI tthp'y
pistol, knowing that it might-in the
Mayhap of circumstance-be of aid n
frightening an assailant. Old Elmira
sat beside the fire. he- stiff fingers bus,
AT a piece of sewing.
.You know" Bruce said to her
THAT we are expecting an attack to
aight? 2"
-
The woman nedded. but didn't miss
a stitch. No CLEAN of interest came
late her eyes. Bruce's gaze fell t.
her work basket, and something gilt
tered from It's depth. Evidently Elmira
had regained her knife.
He went back to his chair beside
Linda, aud the two sat listening. The,
Mad never known q more quiet night
They listened in vain for the little
nighi sounds that usually colne steal
Ing. so hushrd and tremulOrs. from thu
forest. And they both started. EVER s,
slightly, when they heard a distant
rumble of thunder.
"lf's going to storm" Linda toit
him.
.Yes. A thnDdersrorm-rather un
usual In the fall, isn't ir?'
almost unknown. its growing cold
too"
they waited a breathless minute
then tile thunder spike again. II wa,
noa,urahiy nparpr II uns us IL |