The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-07-12

itself. The tears rolled down Marian's
cheeks. She tried to say "GOd bles.
you! but the tears had the right of way
and the words broke into something unih.
telligible.
A sudden shame came over them thai
they had not thought of this before. Memo
ries OF homes, OF mothers, of wives, came
knocking at their hearts and would not be
denied. The sleeves Of rough and moi
over clean flannel shirts were drawn across
eyes that had scorned tears through sick.
ness, discomfort and disappointment.
Cutey came to the rescue.
Gentlemen!" he said, waving his
hand over the bar, "help yourselves
My j'ints are stiff, and I can't go; but
I'll treat the crowd. Free drinks, gentle.
men!"
And leaving his bar to the tender
mercies of his thirsty friends Cutey offer
cd his arm TO Marian, and escorted her to
her own door, where he took leave of her
with low bow.
Then he went down stairs four steps al
time, lest his choice liquors should be
annihilated in his absence.
1t was Monday noon when they re.
turned. Marian sat at the window in the
easiest chair the house afforded, sickening
with fever. She watched them coming
into town with restless, helpless
anxiety. She watched them scattering
to their cabins, and saw Circus Jack com.
ing on toward the hotel alone.
She buried her face in her hands. He
had said that he would never come back
until he found him. Had they become
discouraged, Or
she could not believe that they had
found him. Her heart seemed to cry out,
"No! nop' Jack came up, with little
Mrs. Sharpe at his heels.
"Be ketrfulr' said the faded woman.
"She's mighty poorly"
Jack came in as lightly as his heavy
boots would allow.
"The boys said fur me ter tell yer they
wus all dreadful sorry fur yer. We buried
him jist whar we found him. He'd ben
dead nigh on a couple of weeks, l reckon.
Don't yer look so. lady. Poor Jim! he
warn't never happy, even when he was
drunk. He's better off up thar. We flung
few stones together to mark the place,
and I'll guide you and Mrs. Sharpe thar
any time.''
Then lowering his voice to whisper,
he added tenderly, "And TUX the ring
often his finger. He couldn't fight for it
now; All thought us mebby you'd like
it."
lie took it from the corner of his hand.
kerchief, she held up her finger for it and
he slipped it on. Then he saw that the
letters spelled "Faith." "Thet Punks!,'
he thought to himself, contemptuously.
She looked up into his face with stony
smile-no tears now.
Thank you,' she said.
Four weeks after, the doctor lifted Ma
rian into the stage. She was strong
enough for her journey now, she said.
Two days before she had visited the lone
ly cairr. She said it was a tiresome
horseback ride. She seemed to be getting
well very fast. The doctor told her so.
"People never die when they wish to, :"
she answered, sadly.
Circus Jack came to the stage door to
bid her good-by."
"What can do for you to thank you ?'
she asked, earnestly.
Jack heSitated.
"Ef you wouldn't mind, ma am - he
said, "I'd like to-kiss-your hand.
I've got dear old mother hOme-ef you
wouldn't mindv'
Without blush or change of counte-
nance she put her arm around his neck
and kissed his lips.
Good by. dear old fellow" she said.
Then Scotty cracked his whip, the
crowd on the piazza raised their hats
even the poor chagrined doctor-.a sub
dued cheer was given, and the numbering
stage disappeared in cloud of dust, the
nodding Mariposas on the hillside looking
curiously at it as it went by.-Clara G.
DOllipey. in T0l0yu