North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-05-04

when first knew him, wsss gentleman
and the boy mast forget me, sooner or
later-and so l amt a goin' to cry
about that. For come to ask you to
take my Tommy-God bless him for the
bestest, sweetest boy that lives-to-to
take him with you."
She had risen and caught the young
girls hand in her own, and had fallen on
her knees beside her.
"I've money plenty, and it's all yours
and his. Put him in some good school,
where you can 60 and see him, and help
him to-to-to forget his mother. Do
with him what you like. The worst you
can do will be kindness to what he will
learn with me. Only take him out Of this
wicked life-this cruel place-this home
of shame and sorrow. You will know
you will-won't you? You will-you
must not-you cannot say no You will
make him as pure, as gentle as yourself
and when he has grown up, you will tell
him his fathers name-the name that
hasn't passed my lips for years-the name
Of Alexander Morton, whom they call
here Sandy! Miss Mary do not take
your hand away! Miss Mary, speak to
me! You will take my boy? Do not put
your face from me. know it ought not
to look on such as me. Miss Mary my
God, be merciful she is leaving me! !"
Miss Mary had risen, and, in the gath
ering twilight, had felt her way to the
open window. She stsod there, leaning
against the easement, her eyes fixed on
the last rosy tints that were fading from
the western sky. There was still some of
its light on her pure, young forehead, on
her white collar, on her clasped white
hands, but all fading slowly away. The
suppliant had dragged herself, still on her
knees, beside her.
~ know it takes time to consider.
will wait here all night; but cannot go un-
til you speak. Do not deny me, now.
You will not!-I see it in your sweet face
such face as I have seen in my
dreams. see it in your eyes, Miss Ma
ry you will take my boy?"
The last red beam crept higher, suhfused
Miss Mary's eyes with something of its
glory, Aickered and faded, and went out.
The sun had set on Red Gulca. In the
twilight and silence Miss Mary's voice
sounded pleasantly. ..s.( .,...
81 will take the boy. Send him to me
tonight"
The happy mother raised the hem of
Miss Mary's skirts to her lips. She would
have buried her hot face in its virgin folds,
but she dared not. She rose to her feet.
"Does-this man-know Of your inten-
ton ?" asked Miss Mary, suddenly. - g
"No-nor cares. He has never seen
the child to know it," .s ..........
"Go to him at once, tonight, now
Tell him what you have done. Tell him
| have taken the child, and tell him he
must never see the child again. Wherev-
er it may be, he must not come; wherever
l take it he must not follow! There, 20
now, please; I'm weary, and have much
yet to do y ...... ......
They walked together to the door. On
the threshold the woman turned
''Good night"
She would have fallen to Miss Mary's
feet; but at the same moment the young
girl reached out her arms, caught the sin
full woman to her own pure breast for one
brief moment, and then locked the door.
1t was with sudden sense of great re
sponsibility that Profane Bill took the
reins of the Slumgullion stage next morn
ing, for the sehoolmistress was one Of his
passengers. As he entered the high road,
in obedience to a pleasant voice from the
'inside," he suddenly refined up his hors-
es and respectfully waited, as Tommy
hoped out at the command of Miss Mary.
''Not that bush Tommy-the next"
Tommy whipped out his new pocket
knife, and, cutting branch from a tall
azalea bush, returned with it to Miss
Mary. l a
"All right now?'
And the stage door closed on the Idol of
Red Gulch.