The Portland daily press., 1874-05-02
From the New York Time,
The Rose of TuOlumne.
BY BRET HARTE.
CHAPTER II.

believed fbronohout -Four Forks that Ridge
way Dent had been attacked aud WOUNDED az
CbemisaI Ridge by a highwayman, who fed
on tbe approach of the Wingdam coach.
II is TO be presumed that this statement
met with Ridgeway's approval, as he did not
contradict it, nor supplement it with any
details. His wound was severe, but not
dangerous After the first excitement had
subsidized, there was, | think, prevailing
impression, common to the provincial mind,
that his misfortune was the result of the de-
fective moral quality of his being stranger,
and was in a vague sort OF way warning
to others and lesson to him.. ''Did you
hear low that San Francisco Teller was took
down the other night" was the average
tone Of Introductory remark. Indeed there
was a general suggestion that Ridgeways
presence vas one that no self-respecting,
high minded highwayman, honorably con-
sentative of the best interest of Tuolumne
County, could for a moment tolerate.
Except for the few words spoken on that
eventtul morning, Ridgeway was reticent OF
the past. When Jenny strove to gather
some details OF the ARRAY that might offer a
clue 70 his unknown assailant, subtle
twinkle in his brown eyes was the only re-
spouse. When Mr.. McClosky attempted the
same process the young gentleman threw
abusive epithets, and eventually slippers,
teaspoons, and other lighter articles within
the reach of an invalid, at the head OF his
questioner. Il think he's coming round,
jimmy" said Mr.. McClosky, she laid for me
this morning with candestick."
1t was about this time that Miss Jenny,
having sworn her father to secrecy regard
ing the manner in which Ridgeway had been
carried into the house, conceived the idea OF
addressing the young man as ''Mr. Dent, !"
and of apologizing for intruding whenever
she entered the room in the discharge of her
household duties. 1t was about this time
that she became more rgidly conscientious
to those duties, and less general in her at
tentions; it was at this time that the quail
ity of the invalid's diet improved, and that
she lied him less frequently about it.
1t was about this time that she began to see
more company, that the house was greatly
frequented by her former admirers, with
whom she rode, walked, and danced II
was at about this time, Also and when
Ridgeway was able to be brought out on
the veranda in a chair, that, with great
archness of manner, she introduced to him
Miss Lucy Ashe, the sister OF her betrothed-
a flashing brunette and terrible heart
breaker of Four Forks. And in the midst
OF this gayety she concluded that she would
spend week with the Robinsons-to whom
she owed visit. She enjoyed herself great
ly there, so much indeed that she became
quite hollow-eyed, the result, as she explained
to her father, of two frequent Indulgence
in festivity. you see, father, won't have
many chances after John and 1 are married
you know how queer he Island l must
make the most of my time,' and she laughed
an odd little laugh, which had lately become
habitual to her. Sand how is Mr.. Dent
getting on?" Her father replied that he
was getting on very well indeed, so well, in
fact, that he was able to leave for San Fran
remembered to you, jimmy remembered
kindly,'-yes, they is the very words he
used" said Mr.. McC,osky, looking down
and consulting one of his large shoes for
confederation. Miss Jenny was glad to hear
that he was so much better. Miss Jenny
could not imagine anything that pleased her
more than to know that he was so strong as
to be able to rejoin his friends again, who
must love him SO much and be so anxious
about him. Her father thought she would
be pleased, and now that he was gone there
was really no necessity for her to hurry back.
Miss Jenny in high metallic vhice, did not
know that she had expressed any desire to
stay-still if her presence had become dis
tasteful at home if her own father was de-
sirous of getting rid OF her-if, when she was
so soon to leave his roof forever, he still be-
grudgei her those few days remaining-if-
"My God, jimmy, SO help mep' said Mr..
McClosky, clutching despairingly at his
beard, Il didn't go for to say anything of the
kind. | thought that you" Never mind,
father" interrupted Jenny magnanimously,
"you misunderstood me; of course you did,
you couldn't help it-you're a MANv' Mr.
sorely crushed, would have vague .
ly protested, but his daughter, having re-
off thn Of har
with a mental personal application OF an alb
siract statement, forgave him with a kiss.
Nevertheless, for two or three days after
her return, Nj. McClosky followed his
daughter about the house with yearning
eyes. and OCCASIONALLY with timid. diffidenJ
feet. Sometimes he came upon her sud
denly at her household task with an excuse
so palpaby false, and careless manner so
outraseously studied, that she was fain to be
for him. Later he took to
about the house at night, and was
often seen noiselessly passing and repassing
through the hall after she had retired. On
one occasion he was surprised first by sleep
and then by the early-rising Jenny as he lay
on the rug outside her chamber door. ''You
treat me like child, father" said Jenny.
81 thought, jimmy, said the father, appolo-
getically. Il thought | heard sound as ii you
was takin' on inside, and listenin' l fell a.
Sleep" you dear old simple-minded baby"
said Jenny, looking past her fathers eyes.
and lifting his grizzed locks one by one with
meditative fingers, ''what should l be takn'
on for? Look how much taller l am than
you," she said, suddenly lifting herself up to
the extreme of her superb figure. Then rub
bling his head rapidly with both hands, as if
she were amounting his hair with some rare
unguent, she patted him on the back and
to her room. The result of this and
one or two other equally sympathetic inter-
views was to produce change in Mr.. Nc
CiOsky's manner, which was, it possible, still
more discomposing. He grew unjustifiabIy
hilarious, cracked jokes with the servants.
and repeated to Jenny humorous stories,
with the attitude of righteousness carefully
throughout the entire narration,
and the point utterly ignored and forgotten.
Certain incidents reminded him of funny
things, which invariably turned out to have
not the slightest relevancy or application.
He occasionly brought home with him prac-
teal humorists, with a sanguire hope OF set
ting them going, like music-box, for his
daughters editication. He essayed the sing
ing of melodies with great freedom of style
and singular limitation of note. He sang
SCENE, Haste to the Weddeng. Ye Lasses
and Maidens," of which he knew single
line, and that incorrectly, as being peculiarly
apt and appropriate. Yet away from the
house and his daughters presence he was
'ilent and distraught. His absence of mind
was particularly noted by his workmen at
he empire Quartz MilI.'' eEf the ORR
nan don't look out out and wake up,' said
his foreman, she'll have them feet of his vet
under the stamps. When he amt givin' his
mind to 'em, they is altogether too pro-
niskuss."
A few nights later Miss Jenny recognized
lei fathers hand in timid tap at the door.
she opened it, and he stood before her, with j
yalise in his hand, equipped as. for journey.
!, takes the stage tonight, jimmy dear, for
our Forks to Frisco. Maybe l may drop iu
On u JACK aiore go. I'll be back in a week.
"Good-by." He still held her hand.
rresehIiy he drew her back into the room.
cioseu me door carefully, and glancing
arouna. Ihere was a look of profound cum
ning IN us eye as he said SLOWLY:
''Bear up and keep dark. Jinnv dear .nd
u usS " .n,' o n man Various men have va
rlous ways. Ihere is ways as is common
and ways as Is uncommon, ways as is easv
ahd ways as is Uneasy. Bear up and keen
lark" With this Dephic utterapce s" ho Ae e,t
his finger TO his lips and vanished No pun
1t was ten O'Clock when he reached Eo,,.
Forks. A few minutes later he stod on ~
threshold of the dwelling described nv th he
Four Forks Sentirel as ''the palatial residence
# John Ashe," and known to the local sat.
rist as the sTash-box." "Hevn' to Law nv
i - HI