The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-09-24
BY ROBERT STEAD
Author of " The Coev The
Homssrsodsrs"-'N siSbbors." sfc.
Copyright BY ROBERT STEAD

bothered to wonder much where o.
how this affair must end. Through al
the years that had passed. Zen hat
been to him sweet, evasiye memory
to be dreamed over and idealized, {
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 soiicitously
for the health of the little pet.
He's all right. 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
dyl No one but mother could think
Of such an absurdity.
But l got knifel" Wilson ex-
claimed, his mind darling to happier
subject. Daddy gave 1t to me. VIII
you sharpen it? 1t is as dull 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 dull as pig; the pillow
was as rough as a pig; the horses,
when they capered at 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 pig.
He went through the form Of sharpen
ing the knife on the leather lines Of the
harness, and was pleased to discover
that Wilson, with childish dexterlty
Of Imagination, now pronounced it as
sharp as a pig.
The boy did not return to the field
in the afternoon, and Grant spent the
time in 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 SKIPPER of bacon
and eggs and fried potatoes, bread and
jam and black tea, and ate It 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 neighbours, she
said, and Wilson was in bed. She
lighted the dry wood In the fireplace.
II have been so anxious to see you
she said, drawing a chair
not far from him. "a chance remark
of yours last night brought to memory
many things-things l have been try
ing to forget" Then, abruptly. did
you ever kill man?'
you know I was In the war;" he
returned. evading her question.
Yes, and you do not care to dwell
on that phase of 1t. I should not have
asked you, but you will be the better
able to understand. For years 1 have
lived under the cloud of having killed
a man."
Your
Eyes. The day of the fre-you re-
nember?"
Grant. had started from his chair.
I can't believe it! he exclaimed
There must have been justification !"
"You had justification at the front.
tut 1t doesn't make the memory pleas
INT. 1 had Justification, but it has
me night and day. For all
hese years have been carrying in my
leart a secret until 1t seems to have
,rown so big l must tell some one, or
,urst. And then, last night, his name
vas mentioned, which brought it all
'ack to me as though 1t had been yes
erday. Time doesn't seem to cure
ONE things, ever. does it? And after
had gone to bed. and was thinking it
II over. / suddenly knew there was
ne man | could tell. That is why |
ent that note. f. You weren't an
ry?"
angry Dear" He checked his
FPS on forbidden words.
"Who?" he managed to say.
"Drazk."
"Drazk |"
"Yes. | had killed him that day of
tory, and you will excuse me repeat
1g the details, know. He attacked
le-we were both on horseback, in
he river-I suppose he was crazed
18th his wild deed, and less responsl-
lie than usual. He dragged me from
~ horse and I fought with him in
ne water, but he was much too strong
had concluded that TO drown my
elf, and perhaps him, was the only
'ay out, when I saw leather thong |
eating in the water from the saddle.
" ruse managed to flip 1t around
Is neck, and the next moment he was
my mercy. had no mercy then. I
ulled it tight, tight-pulled till l saw
Is face blacken and his eyes stand |
ut. He went down. but still pulled.
nd then, after little, l found my {
If on shore.
II suppose II was the excitement of {
le fire that carried me on through |
lie day, but at night-you remember? /
there came a reaction and couldn't |
aep awake. suddenly seemed to {
eel that l was safe, and I could 6
eep." I