Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-06-26

erable amusement to the hsbitues OF tho
Grand bar-room. AMI they fairly roared
with sympathy when he proianelY eX-
pressed his sorrow to SEQ her wasting
her beauty over another feller.'
One Saturday night. two weeks and
day since Marian's arrival, the whole
population of the town were at the
Grand, either drinking. gambling, or
purchasing provisions OF Cutey's deputy,
who presided over the tin can depart
ment with activity and grace; and all,
whatever their occupation, were swear
ing vigorously and increasingly.
Marian sat up stairs in her tiny room
burning with feverish anxiety. Her
long years OF home waiting, the comfort
less journey, even the first week OF un-
certainty even the first-waiting, had
been easier 10 bear than this anxious
waiting The Mexicans had not hesitat-
ed to say that he must be dead by this
time; but that she did not believe; he
might be starving, crazed, nearly dead,
but surely she might sec him once more
and hear him say that he forgave her;
perhaps even purse him back to reason
and health and home again.
The Drawing and laughter down
stairs made her shudder. "It | was only
a man!' she whispered iiercely, clench-
ing her little hands. "Can | do nothing
but sit here and wait? Ga. God, be
mercilul I" she cried.
Then suddenly thought flashed into
her mind. She did not stop to think of
it; she acted upon it.
The Doctors partner, profoundly study
ing his cards, was somewhat disconnected
to see the table kicked over and the Doc
tors "hand" on the floor. Without
question, he put his hand back for his
pistol. when the sudden stiffness in the
room caught his attention, and all that
followed caused him TO forget the aifront.
In the center of the room, her disor.
dercd hair flying about her face, her clear
o5es flashing with excitement, her cheeks
| flaming with color, more beautiful than
they had ever seen her look before,
Marion stood waiting for silence. Men
crowded up TO the doorways and filled
the widows certain from the sudden
quiet that something was up"
won't you help me ?" she cried out.
"What can Td) to find him. He may
he starving to death lie would not
hsve left you to starve! You"-she
gasped and drew her breath hard-"you
whom he was good to-you remember
a hundred things, but you forget him [!
and let hm-raVe his life away-and
starve TO death-alore." She choked.
She could not speak another word but
she stood wish her lips parted, her eyes
lltshing, looking eagerly, almost angrily,
from one face TO another.
Circus Jack bounded on 10 table; il
was ricket,y and yielded with his weight;
| but Punks and Bob Jinks steadied it,
they were friends OF Jack besides, they
had Just won from him at poker. and felt
very friendly. "Fellers l"said Jack, "tc-
morrow's Sunday. I'm going out ter
hunt fer poor jim. and amt comm back
till find him. Them as wants ter com
pany me kin call at my cabin tonight" :"
"I will go with you, Jack" said the
Doctor impressively.
- Me, too, you bet !" cried Scotty.
Count me in." growled bass voice
from the window.
"Me, too, squeaked Punks. "All asll
ga say 'AY!"
And an "Ay" came from those rough
voices with such ringing burst OF good
will as must have started the very birds
asleep in the distant trees.
NAY some faint echo of il may have
been heard at the very gates of heaven
itself. The tears rolled down Marian's
checks. She tried to say "God bless
you !" but the tears had the right of way,
and the ords broke into something un-
ineligible.
A sudden shame came over them that
they had not thought OF this before.-
Memories of homes, OF mothers, OF
wives, came knocking at their hearts,
and would not be denied. The sleeves
of rough and not over clean flannel shirts
were drawn across eyes that had scorned
tears through sickness, discomfort and
disappointment.
Cutey came to the rescue.
"Gentlemen," he said, waving his hand
over the bar. "help yourselves. My
ints is stiff, and can't go but I'll treat
the crowd. Free drinks, gentlemen !"
And leaving his bar to the tender mer-
cies of his thirsty friends, Cutey offered
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
at time, lest.his choice liquors should
be annihlated in his absence.
It was Monday noon when they re-
turned. Marian sat at the window in
tue easiest chair the house sforded, sick
ening with fever. She watched them
coming into town with a restless, help