Evening star., 1928-04-21

they had been cheated What had
they got out of IL? They would have
tn face these women and confess 10
them that they had spared the slayers
Of their loved ones, simply TO suit the
whim Of Jouifer Dayos, who when all
was said and done, had accomplished
what he had set uut to do, namely: 20
obtain a prize for his daughter on her
twentieth birthday Not that they be-
grudged the gift to Gerane--indeed,
they felt Just the etheT way about DIR
but it maddened them. TO think tsmt
they might have given her her hearts
desire and. at ths same 5iu1e. gratified
their own. while they were, about 1t.
The men were waiting for him when
he came down to the road after leaving
Starcourt. A lean. scowlfng fellow acted
as spokesman. 49,
We want TO have a few words with
you. Jonifer DaVoS," said he boldly.
The smile faded from the chieftain's S
lips. We'll. what is it? ! am in hurry.
My daughter is"
Well, you viii have to take the time
to hear what have to say to you"
commenced the other. sticking out his
lower law. We want you to know
how We feel about the way you managed
things. without giving us a chance To
blow the heads of Of"
Just moment" interrupted Jonifer
harshly. Are YOU the leader OF this
am 10 call it meeting?"
Call 1t what you please We do not
like the way you-~-"
"You agreed to go out with me To ac-
compliSh a certain purpose" said joni
fer levelly. I'VE have accomplished IL.
That Is all there Is 10 be said about
the matter so far as l am concerned,
or any of the rest Of you. for that mat
ter. / am grateful TO all of you for
what you did II it had been necessary
to kin a score of men to make our plan
succeed, was prepared as you all
know. to do that very thing Luck
was with us, We did what we set out
10 do, without shedding single drop
Of blood But this is another matter.
You wanted blood last night. Boar. You
shall have II now. Drawl"
He whipped out his ShortSword Boaz
was not a coward. He Ierked his own
weapon from the scabbard and threw
himself into an attitude Of defense. A
second later Jonifer was upon him. The
clash of steel. once. twice~-and then
Boaz went down, sword through his
heart.
to face the stunned spectators.
There can b but one leader here"
he. said slowly THAT man was one OF
the hraveSt in the valley I am sorry
1t had to happen. but there Is only
one way to check rebellion. He was
born here. His father before him was
born here, and he was loyal man You
chose Boaz to be your spokesman and
your leader Is there any one among YOU
who desires 10 take his place. now that
he Is dead? "fiS we'll Either / am
Jonifer the Great. or | am Jonifer the
Weak was that mans friend l
would have died for hin---aye, l have
fought for him and saved his life, as
all of you well know~~and l gave him
an even chance To kill me Just now
What more could he ask. what more
could YOU have asked for him? Bury
him. my friends-~but not beside his
father. who was an honest, loyal man
Beside his mother yeS+~for she brought
him into the world and loved him we'll
poor soul, Is there one among YOU
who would further question my conduct
of last nighte Well them" He drove
the point of hts weapon deep into the
trunk Of "a tree and, with q mighty
wrench. snapped Ii OF close to the hilt
Throwing the useless grip 10 the ground
ne said 1T has killed its last man
julius, do you fetch your hammer and
drive that steel so deep into the tree
that II may not be withdrawn Then
let II remain there forever" lie stopped
picked up the dead mans weapon, and
thrust 1t into his own empty Scahhard
"A sturdy honest blade and not be-
fouled | have taken Il In Fair combat
Hencefofth, shall 50 armed with my
enemy's sword so be It."
Then he strobe of. without So much
as a glance over his shoulder.