Bloomington High School, The Gothic, 1914, Page 43

Description:	ANNA--Continuedentered the store. The only one he saw was an old man whom heasked concerning the road to Winston Groves.Do I know how to git thar? Sure, now, I do. Haint I bin outthar to them big doins? Yes, sir, I guess I hev. Taint fur. Jestfoller that windin road thar till ye come to a white house, an nenturn to the right an take the path leadin up the mounting. Jestfoller it an yell come to the cabing.Mr. Grey thanked him and started out. As he walked he took nonotice of the surroundings, but was thinking again of Anna. Yes, hewas going to avenge Annas death. After forty years of waiting hewould not think of giving it up. Her death would be avenged, andwith every step his hatred for Groves increased. During the fortyyears the name Anna had become more and more dear to him, andwith it came a burning desire to avenge her death with his own hands.Ah, yes, revenge seemed sweet.He had been so engrossed with his thoughts that he did notrealize how fast he had been going, so it was not long until he foundhimself nearing a little tumble-down cabin in a group of trees. Noth-ing was to be seen but the cabin and the rough landscape around it.He went closer and finally knocked at the door, but no one came, and,seeing that the door would open, he pushed it back and looked in. Asight met his gaze which repulsed him for a second.At one end of the room was an open fire-place, and seated beforethis was an old man. He was leaning forward with his gaze fixed uponthe few glowing embers. His face had a vacant look upon it and therewas also an expression of fear. The face was almost covered withbeard. The hair on his head was very thick and hung almost to hisshoulders. The old mans elbows rested on his knees and his knottyfingers were interlaced. His whole appearance was in keeping withthe surroundings.This was Winston Groves, and as Mr. Grey watched him, a feelingof loathing for the man crept into his heart. He stepped inside thedoor and walked to Groves side. With a shudder, Groves looked up,and, with a cry mingled with surprise and fear, he ran to the otherside of the low cabin and crouched in one corner. The muscles of hisface worked horribly and his whole features were distorted. A wildlook was in his eyes as he crouched there and looked at his visitor.Grey turned and silently studied the man before him. Then thiswas Groves, the hated, accursed man he sought. Yes, Groves had hadhis punishment already. He had been haunted with a fear of detec-tion since that awful night and it had turned him into the half-savageman he was now. With one hand inside his coat, Mr. Grey advancedtoward the corner. Groves was keeping his eyes fixed on Greys face,and olw, guttural sounds emerged from his throat. He crouched loweras Grey came nearer.After forty years I have found you. I have gone over the wholecontinent in search of you, and I can see that you have been expectingmy visit. I have waited these long years for this meeting. My hateof you during the time has increased year by year, and now, I hateyou--I loathe you--and, by heaven, Ill--kill--you.The last words were long drawn out. He hissed them at hisenemy as he glared at him with set teeth. But what was that flutter-ing at his heart? What could it be? It had acted that way but oncebefore, but now-. He could hardly breathe. He must hurry, or hisforty years of waiting will have been for nothing. Suddenly, he drewsomething from his pocket and held it before Groves.Do you remember that face?Groves uttered one wild shriek and sprang at Grey. He remem-bered the face. It had always been before his eyes since that awfulnight. It had burnt itself deep into his heart. He was now mad, andleaped at Greys throat. The time for action had come, and Greyshand quickly shot out. There was a shot, a groan, and Groves fellbackward on the floor. His form quivered once and then, lay still.A feeling of sickness crept over Grey, and he tried to reach thedoor. His heart was beating wildly. The air seemed to choke him.What was the matter? He had had his revenge, but had not found itsweet. He was growing cold and numb. Did it mean he was--My God, is this my punishment?As Grey cried out, he fell headlong before the door, with one armacross the body of Groves. Annas death had been avenged.------------‘TIS JUNEMay Seward, 15Tis June at B. H. S.! Tis June!The rustling of the many leaves,Of old and lofty campus trees;The twittering of the birds at morn,As through the open windows borne;Each one and all proclaim the factIn every sound and every act,Tis June! Tis June!The fragrance of the blooming flowers,Nourished by the sun and showers;The freshness of the summer breeze;The streaming sunlight through the trees;The stately building and the walk,Are silent, yet they seem to talkAnd say, in joyous loveliness,Tis June again at B. H. S.!Page Forty-three
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloom/id/1355
Collection:	Bloomington High School

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