Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-09-13
By ROBERT STEAD
Author of ''Tbs Cosv P0ncbsr''-'' The
Homs5fsader5''-''E s[SbBOrI." sfe.
Copyright BY ROBERT STEAD

the years that had passed. Zen had
been to him a sweet, evasive memory
to be dreamed over and ideolized,
wild, daring irresponsible Incarnation
Of the spirit Of the hills.
He wrote on the bacg of the note.
Look for me at eight and then, OBJ
serving that the boy had not brought
Teddy along, he inquired solicitously
for the health of the little pet.
He's all sight. but mother wouldn't
let me bring him. Said l might lose
him" The tone in which the last
words were spoken implied just how
impossible such thing was. Lose Ted
dy! No one but a mother could think
Of such an absurdlty.
'But ! got a knife" Wilson ex-
claimed, his mind darling to happier
subject. Daddy gave 1t to me. VIII
you sharpen 1t? 1t is as dufi as a
pig"
Grant was to learn during the day
that all the boys figures Of speech
were now hung in the family pig. The
knife was as dun as a pig; the pillow
was as rough as a pig the horses,
when they capered at a corner, were
as wild as a pig; even Grant himself,
while he held the little chap firmly on
his knee, received the doubtful com
pliment Of being as strong as a pig
He went through the form of sharpen
ing the knife on the leather lines Of the
harness, and was pleased to discover
THAI Wilson, with childish dexterity
Of Imagination, now pronounced II as
sharp as pig
The boy did not return TO the field
in the afternoon. and Grant spent the
time in a strange admixture of happi-
ness over the pleasant cOmpanionship
he had found in this little son of the
prairies and anticipation OF his meet
ing with Zen that night
Grant prepared his supper Of bacon
and eggs and fried potatoes, bread and
Jam and black tea, and ate II from the
kitchen table. Supper ended. he no
ticed he had just time to walk to
Transley's house before eight O'Clock
Zen received him at the door; the
maid had gone to a neighbours, she
said, and Wilson was In bed. She
lighted the dry wood in the fireplace
Il have been so anxious to see you
again" she said, drawing chair
not far from him. "a chance remark
Of yours last night brought to memory
many thlngs-things 1 have been try
ing to forget" Then, abruptly, "Did
you ever kill a mann"
You know l was in the war" he
returned, eyading her question.
Yes, and You do not care to dwell
on that phase Of It. | should not have
asked you, but you will be the better
able to understand. For years l have
lived under the cloud of having Killed
a man"
Your
Eyes. The day of the Hre-you re
member2"
Grant had started from his chair.
81 can't believe lt!' he exclaimed.
There must have been Justification {"
you had justification at the front.
but 1t doesn't make the memory pleas
ant. had justification, but it has
haunted me night and day. For all
these years / have been carrying in my
heart secret until II seems to have
grown so big must tell some one, or
burst. Aud then, last night, his name
was mentioned, which brought It all
back to me as though It had been yes
terday. Time doesn't seem to cure
some things. ever, does til And after
| had gone to bed. and was thinking It
all over. l suddenly knew there was
one man l could tell. That is why
sent that note You weren't an
gry?"
Angry Dear" He checked his
lips on forbidden words.
'Who7" he managed to say.
'Drazk."
"pra2k -
Yes. had killed him that dav of
the fire. II is rather an unpleasant
story. and you will excuse me repeat
ing the details, ! know He attacked
me-we were both on horseback, in
the rIver-T suppose he was crazed
with his wild deed and less response
Bile than usual He dragged me from
my horse and ! fought with him in
TIE water. but he was much too strong.
| had concluded that to drown my
self and perhaps him. was the only
way out. when | saw 8 leather thong
floating In the water from the saddle.
BY ruse l managed to Zip Il around
his neck, and the next moment he was
at my mercy. ! had no mercy then. I
pulled 1t tight tight-pulled tn I saw
his face blacken and his eyes stand
out He went down, but still pulled.
And then, after little. found my
self on shore.
II suppose II was the excitement az
the fire that carried ne on through
the day, but at nIght-you rememher7
there came a reaction. aud I couldn't
keep awake. suddenly seemed TO
feel that I was safe. and could
sleep
Grant had resumed his seat. He
was deeply moved by this strange CON
fApura. Ea hart hfs c,-ss yt,sor,4f,. ,,,,5,,.