The Lincoln County herald., 1872-12-11
JAKE GERNER'S JEALOUSY.
BY WELDON ]. COBB, JR.

cutting the sturdy sticks into splinters to
start FIRE.
always full of lfe," he muttsred to
himself, looking up with face whose
homeliness passed away with the smile
that irradiated his features. "Well,
partner, did | say right ?"
The whistler had drawn up to the
cabin door, and leaning on his gun
looked with mirth.loving eyes upon Jake
Gerner.
"You're never wrong, my hearty ~ he
said. THE storm is rising now, and
you've lost your mission in not going up
to Laclsds, aud holding forth as Jacobus
Gsrnerus, Professor Of Magic, Weather.
cock aud Fortune Teller"
You believe my impressions always
right, then p quered Gernsr, arising
aud uneasily regarding McColm.
Never at fault was the staunch
reply.
"Now, McColm, don't say that" cried
Gerner. "Ses here" Ainging down the
axe, and hiding his face in his arm,
while he leaned against the door post.
I'll suffered tho tortures Of the doomed
to day lf thought"
McColm's blue 'eyes stared with
wonder.
"See here, Jake Gsrner," he said
with assumed anger, pathetic fearful.
ness ringing in his voice, mo blubbering
around here, | won't stand it. Jake
Jake old boy! Why, what in the
deuce is the matter with you2"
"Nothng at ALL" said Jake, turning
so as to hide his face from his compan
ions view, and taking up an armful OF
wood, II suppose am getting blue be
cause the winter is setting in and our
dust heap amt anything to brag of, for
nearly years work. | had bad
dream too, Farley something about you
and parting"
Farley McColm gave utterance to a
light laugh.
"You and separate !" he exclaimed
"Why, Jake, 1 could no more live in this
place without you, than l could exist
without food. We may separate when
you get spliced to that what's her name,
Juke?'
But Gerner, with a sad shake Of the
head, had turned into the house and was
on his knees before the fireplace.
"By the by, jake" said MeColm
carelessly, as he cut some pieces of dried
venisen into 4 stew pan, II had quite an
adventure to day. | was up by the ruu
two miles south Of here, when | came
across a girl sitting on stone crying
She held two horses by their long brides
and mighty pretty picture she made.
You know, knocking around here has
taken all the politeness out of me; but
did my best to console the weeping
maiden. Something like your own case
Jake, you tod mo of; fell head over
heels in love with her, yet did not dare
say word. 1t happened she had lost
her companion who was escorting her
from Lacede to Mixers Corners bu,
had sighted game and started off in pur
suit of it. l found him after awhile-s
tall, awkward BOBBY, so confused, he did
not know his way out of the woods
She gave me her hand when I restored
her guide. BY Jove, Jake, it tingle,
yet! |"
What-sort-of q girl was she /?
came in subdusd tones from the fireplace
pretty as flower, and twioo a,
sweet. Dressed in a red cloak, over
which streamsd the long brown curls
Blue eyes-but I'm getting poetical
Why, Jake, what's tho matter ?" fol-
Gerner had arisen from the fireplace, and
was standing before him, his eyes blaz
ing, and his face pale as death.
"Do you mean to tell me you arc tri
fling with this girl, or are you in ear
nest ?"
why, old boy" stammersd MeColm
"what could l know of a woman l neve,
saw before, Jake ?" not noticing the
clenchsd hands and sot teeth. "Youv,
always been candid with me, I'll be the
same with you-I love that woman, love
her as we'll as if had known her cen
tury."
A cry of mortal agony, such as one
seldom gives uttsranco to save in some
moment Of awful anguish, broke from th,
lips of the miner.
"Curss you with your handsome face
and your womanly ways, Farley Nc
Colin |" he cried wildly, aud then, BE-
fsrs his companion could utter word
he dartsd through the door, skirted tn,
river, and was lost to sight in the din
obscurity beyond.
Farley McColm sat like one stupifsd
not noticing that the long expected snow
was beginning to fall, and scarcely com.
pretending Gsrner's startling dsnuncia
ton. He sat, nsrveless, unthiuking, al
most tenumbsd. The FIRE went out, the
meal was neglected and untasted, and
with q weary sigh, and a dim shadow
upon his mind, McColm went ever TO q
pile of skins in oue corner of the hut snd
flung himself upon them.
Then the day died, and the snow lay
thicker, and the darkness fell.
1t was midnight when be awoke, and
to him it seemed as though an hundred
armies we're tvamping through the dvsary
Canon. The Snd went shriskine by