New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-03

braids reaching to the floor. The stars
paled slowly, like her cheek yet with eyes
that saw not, she still looked from her win
dow to the coming dawn. 1t came, with
violet deepening into purple, with purple
flushing into rose, with rose shining into
silver and glowing into gold. The stray
Cling line of black picket-fence be-
low, that had faded away with the stars,
came back with the sun. What was
that object moving by the fences Jenny
raised her head and looked intently. 1t
was man endeavoring to climb the PICK
cts, and falling backward with each at
tempt. Suddenly she started to her feet,
as if the rosy fiushes of the dawn had GRIM
soned her from forehead to shoulders; then
she stood, white as the wall, with her hands
clasped upon her bosom. Then, with a
single bound, she reached the door, and,
with flying braids, and futtering skirt,
sprang down the stairs and out IN the
garden walk. When within few feet OF
the fence she uttered cry-the first she
had ,given-the CRY Of mother over her
stricken babe, OF tigress over her mangle0
cub, and in another moment she had leaped
the fence and knelt beside Ridgeway, with
his fainting head upon her breast.
"My boy!-my poor, poor boy:-who mas
done this!"
Who, indeedi His clothes were covered
with dust, his waisteoat was torn open, and
his handkerchief wet with the blood il
could not stauach, fell from cruel stab
beneath his shoulder.
"Ridgewsy!-,my poor boy!-ten me what
has happened"
Ridgeway slowly opened his heavy blue
veined lids, and gazed upon her. Presently
a CLEAN Of mischief came into his dark
eyes; a smile stole over his lips as he
whispered slowly:
It--was--your--ki it-Jenny,
dear! / had forgotten-how high priced.
the article was here. Never mind, jenny
he feebly raised her hand to his white
lips-''it was-wOrth it," and tainted away
Jenny started to her feet and looked
wildly around her. Then, with a sudden
resolution, she stopped over the insensible
man, and with one strong effort lifted him
in her arms as if he had been child.
When her father, a moment later, rubbed
his eyes and awoke from his sleep upon the
triumphant, striding toward the house,
with the helpless body of man lying
across that breast where man had never
lain before-a goddess at whose imperious
mandate he arose and cast open the doors
before her. And then, when she had laid
her unconscious burden on the sofa, the
goddess fed, and a woman, helpless and
trembling, stood before him. A woman
that cried out she had "killed him J" that
she was wicked, wicked" and that, even
saying so, staggered and fell beside her late
burden. And all that Mr.. McClosky could
do was to feebly rub his beard and say to
himself vaguely and incoherently, that
Jimmy had fetched him."
CHAPTER II.
Before noon the next day it was generally
believed throughout Four Forks that Ridge
way Dent had been attacked and wounded
at Chemisal Ridge by q highwayman, who
fed at tie approach Of the Wingdam coach.
It is to be presumed that the statement met
with Rldgeway's approval. as he did not
contradict it nor supplement it with any
details. His woand was severe, but not
danResous. After .he first excitement had
subsided there was, ! think, a prevailm g
IMPRESSION, common TO the provincial mind,
that his misfortune was the result of the de-
fective moral quality of being stranger,
and YVES, IN a vague sort of way, warn
ing to others and lesson to HIM. did you
hear how that San Francisco Teller was took
down the other mighty was the average
tone of Introductory remark. Indeed, there
was general suggestion that Ridgeway's
presence was one that no self-respecting,
high-min6sd highwaymen, hOnorably con-
ssereative Of the best interests Of Tuolumne
county, could for moment tolerate.
Except for few words spoken on that
eventiul morning, Ridgeway was reticent
of she past. When Jenny strove to gather
some details OF the affray that might offer
a clue to his unknown assailant, subtle
twinkle in his brown eyes was the only re.
Spouse. When Mr.. McClOsky attempted
threw abusive epishets, and eventually
shippers, teaspoons and other lighter arti-
Giles within the reach of an invalid, at the
head OF his questoDer. Il think he's com.
ing round, jimmy" said Mr.. McClosky,
"he laid for me this morning with candle
stick"
IL was about this time that Miss Jenny,
having sworn her father TO secrecy regard.
ing the manner in which Ridgeway had
been carried into tie house, conceived the
idea of addressing The young man as '1Mr.
Deit." and of apologisins for intruding
whenever she enterMd the room in the dis
charge O. her household duties. II was
about this time that she became more
rigidly conscientious to the duties, and less
general in her attentions; it was at this
tisae that the quality Of the invalid's diet
improved, and that she consulted him less
frequently about it. 1t was about taIs time
that she began 20 see more company; that
the house was greatly frequented by her
former admirers, with whom she rode,
walked and danced. 1t was about this
time, also, and when Ridseway was
able TO be bfsughs out on the YER
of manner, she introduced 10 him Miss Lucy
Aisle, the sister of her betr0thed-a flashing
brunette and terrible heart breaker of Four
Forks. And, in the midst of this gayety,
she concluded thas she would spend e week
with the Rsbinsons, 10 whom she owed a
visit. She enjoyed herself greatly there
SO mush, in6e.Sd, that sac became quite hol-
low-eysd-the result, as she explained to
her father, of q toe frequent indulgence in
fesavity. "You see, father, won't have
many chances after john and / are married
you know how queer he Island must
make the most of my time," and she laughed
an odd little laugh, whicI0 had lately be-
come habitual to her. 'And hCNv is Mr.
Dent getting ONT" Her father replied that
he was getting on very we'll indeed; SO well,
in fact that he was able to leave for San
Francisco two days ago.
He wanted to be remembered to you
kindly,'-yes, they is
the very words he used" said Mr.. McClos-
ky, looking down and consulting one of is
large shoes for confederation. Miss Jenny
was glad to hear that he was so much bet
ter. Miss Jenny could not imagine any
UuluS tndt plcdbtu uci Uoio tldu " KNOW
that he was 80 strong as to be able to join
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 tor her to hurry back. Miss
Jenny, in q high metallic voice. did not
know that she had expressed any desire to
stay; still, if her presence had be-
come distasteful at home, if her
own father was DESTROYS of get.
ting rid of her-if when she was
SO soon to leave his roof forever, he still
begrudged her those few days remaining
if-"My God, jimmy, SO help mel" said Mr..
beard, 4 didn't go for to say ANYTHING of Of
the kind. / thought that you" Never
mind father y inferrunted Iennu nannan