The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-02-01

ttNIk ohh uttNi ASNtty
woman prays to find strength in the
man she loves-but II isn't the kind
that you have. the kind that makes
your men grovel before you, and
makes me tremble when Tn talking
to you. It's n big, calm strength-and
/ can't tell you what 1t Isl It's some
thing the pines have, maybe-strength
not to yield 10 the passions, but to re-
strain. not to be afraid of. but to cling
Toto stand upright and honorable
and manly. and make a woman strong
just to see II In the man she loves"
He listened gravely. Her cheeks
blazed. Ii was a strange sccne-the
silent room, the %implacable foes, the
breathless suspense, the prophecy and
inspiration in her tones.
perhaps ! should have been more
gentle" he admitted. II might have
f~orgotten-for a little while-this surg
ing, irresistible impulse In my muscles
and tried just TO WOO you, gently
and humbly. But it's too late now.
I'm not a fool. | can't expect you to
begin at the beginning. l a only go
on In my own way-my hard, remorse-
less. ruthless way.
ut isn't every man who Is brave
enough to see what he wants and
knock nv all obstacles to get It," he
went on. Put that bravery to my
credit. To pay no attention TO meth-
DDS, only 10 look forward to the result
That has been my creed. II is m
creed now Many less brave men
would fear your hatred-but don't
fear 1t as long as ! possess what l go
after and a hope that | can get you
over 1t. Many of my own brothers
hate me, but yet ! don't care as long
as they do my will. No matter how
much YOU scorn II. this bravery has
always got me what | wanted, and it
will get me what Iwant now"
The high color died in her face. She
wondered II the final emergency had
come at last.
I've II TO make a bargain. You
can take Ii or you can refuse. On one
side Is the end of all this conflict, to be
my wife, To have what you want
bought by The rich return from my
thousands OF acres. And I love YOU,
Linda. You know that"
The man spoke the truth. His ter
rible, dark love was all over HMM
his glowing eyes, in his drawn, deeply
lined face.
in time. when you come around to
my way of thinking, you'l love me.
If you refuse-thls last time-pve got
TO take other ways. On that side is
defeat for you-as sure as day. The
time is almost up when the title to
those lands Is secure. Bruce Is In
our hands
She got up, whitefaced. "Bruce-3"
"Yes! Did you think he could stand
against usl I'll show him to you I'm
the morning. Tonight he's paying the
price for ever daring to oppose my
will"
She turned imploring eyes. He saw
them, and perhaps-far dlstant-hs
saw the light of triumph, too. A grim
smile came to his lips.
simon" she cried. "Have mercy"
The word surprised him. II was the
first time she had ever asked this man
for mercy. "fhen you surrender-r
"Simon, listen to me-" she begged.
LET him go--and | won't even try to
fight you any more. III let you keep
those lands and never try any more to
make you give them up. You and
your brothers can keep them forever,
and w won't try to get revenge on
you, either. He and / will go away
He gazed at her In deepening won.
derment. For the moment, his mind
refused to accept the truth. He had
known perfectly the call OF the blood
in her. He had understood her hatred
Of the Turner's; he could hate In the
same way himself. He realized her
love Tor her fathers home and how
she had dreamed Of expelling Its usurp
ers. Yet she was willing to renounce
II. all. The power that had come to
her was one that he. q man whose code
Of life was no less cruel and remorse.
less than that of the Killer himself
could not understand.
'But why?" he demanded. "Why
aIc yOu Wiiih6 W w "h ehiS hV'
him?'
"Why?' she echoed. Once more the
luster was In her dark eyes. Il sup.
pose Il is because love him."
He looked at her with slowly dark.
ening face. Passion yelled within him
An oath dropped from his lips, bias
phemous, more savage than any wilder
ness voice. Then he raised his arm
and struck her lender flesh.
He struck her breast. The brutal
ity Of the man stood forth at last. Nc
picture that all the dreadful dramat
Of the wild could portray was more
terrible than this. The girl cried out
reeled and fell fainting from the pain
and with smoldering eyes he gazed a.
her unm6yed Then lie turned out Of