The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-20

Punks desired to know what "Fail" spell |
ed but "fail" He further inquired "what |
they wanted to hev sech doggoned ms'a-
BILE word as that on ring for? p
"'T' 'orter be love- or 'sunthin'," he added |
critically.
1t was only after much questioning in di-
vers places, and the exercise of a deal of pa
thence and some inesse that Marian learned
the present whereabouts of the half crazed
hermit "all unblessed" When last seen
something less than a week before her arri-
val, he had been wandering through the
} neighboring mountains, half clothed in
wretched rags, living on berries and roots,
} alternately muttering and shrieking the va
} garies of his unhnged MINI.
They we're 10th to tell her, even those who
knew it. Their rude externals seemed to
have made their hearts softer. 1t hurt them
to see the pink color fade from her cheeks,
and the shadow of sharp pain creep over her
beautiful face; so that she had to learn the
lesson of smiling when her heart ached
worst. The two Mexicans, cattle herders,
who had seen him, were eagerly questioned
i but they could tell nothing that she did not
know, save that they were quite sure that it
u was Jim, and not some 'other unfortunate,
a whom they had seen.
They gave stupid assent when asked by
y Marian to secure him and bring him into
d town next time that they saw him and a
"Si, Senor," considerably less stupid in a
'' subsequent private interview with Jack, who
= promised them cheap money" for their
;, labor.
Marian had the books which Jim had left
:, in the cabin; commonplace Greek and Lat
- in books, which might have belonged to any
II body, save that on one fly leaf was writ
- ten in a scrawling hand, 81. C. Wilmer"
/ and this yellow page, and this faded ink, she
covered with her kisses and baptized with
If her tears. And another weary week crept by
,r the doctor noticed with disapprobation
"a strongly expressed how pale and worn look
ing the pretty woman grew. Not profess
A. sionally indeed his title was merely homo
K rary, bestowed in recognition of his services
; in prescribing the Golden Anti Bilious
I'd Pills." for Bob Jinks, which, or nature in
e. spite of them had effected cure, and restor-
ht ed to bereft Mariposa society an efficient and
e. valuable member.
?" The Doctors interest afforded considerable
ne amusement to the habitues of the grand bar
lie room, and they fairly roared with sympathy
on when he proianey expressed his sorrow tc
RS. see her wasting her beauty in tears over
he another feller"
w. One Saturday night, two weeks and day
IRE since Marians arrival, the whole population
of the town were at the Grand either drink.
ed ing, gambling, or purchasing provisions Of
ay Cutey's deputy, who presided over the tin
can department with activity and grace
, a and all, whatever their occupation, were
swearing vigorously and increasingly.
arm Marian sat up stairs in her tiny room burn
IRIS ing with feversh anxiety. Her long year
sed Of home waiting, the comfortless journey
nor even the first week of uncertainty, had beef
easier to bear than this anxious waiting. Th
ian Mexicans had not hesitated to say that h,
must be dead by this time but that she die
AT not believe; he.might be starving, crazed
n" nearly dead, but surely she might see hin
tim once more and hear him say that he forgav
son and health and hope again.
We The brawling and lau ghter down stall
made her shudder. "If was only man
au- she whispered fiercely clenching her lit
rny hands. "Can | do nothing but sit here an
wait Oh, God, be mercful p' she cried
m, Then suddenly thought flashed into he
mind. She did not stop to think of it; sh
she acted upon it.
on. The Doctors partner profoundly study
'ore ing his cards, was somewhat disconcerned
see the table kicked over, and the Doctor
kin hand" on the floor. Without question, |
rri- put his hand back for his pistol, when ii
tied sudden stiffness in the room caught his a
he tention and all that followed caused him
een forget the affront.
life In the centre of the room, her disordere
hair flying about her face, her clear ey
she flashing with excitement, her cheeks fiamir
with color, more beautiful than they hs
uD- ever seen her look before, Marian stoC
1t, waiting for. silence. Men crowded up
the doorways and filled the windows, certa
nty from the sudden quiet, that something W
saf- up"
"Wont YOU help me?" she cried OF
Of a "What am to do to find him? He may
starvingl You"-she gasped and drew
With breath hard-"you whom he was good to
you remember--a hundred things, but y,
1t 1t forgot him aud let him-rave his life aw
title and starve to death-alone." She choke
lent she could not speak another word but q
'nse stood with her lips parted, her eyes tlashin
und looking eagerly, almost angrily from o
With face to another.
'Peu Circus Jack bounded on to a table; it W
nei rickety and reeled with its weight;
o'ns Punks and Bob Jinks steadied it, they W,
n"' friends Of Jacks besides, they had Just W
from him at poker, and felt very friend
her "Felers !" said Jack, "to- morrow's Sundi
'ued Pm going ter hunt fer poor Jim, and al
that comm back till | find him. Them as wal
'een ter 'comp'ny me kin call at my cabin
iave night"
y. s"I will go with you," said the doctor i
ion' pressively.
re- "Me too, you bet," cried Scotty.
~" Count me in" cried bass voice from
the window.
id to "Me too," squeaked Punks. All ASH
sted say Ayr
take And an "Ay" came from those rou
ered voices with such a ringing burst of &c
eve will as must have startled the very bi
ly asleep in the distant trees.
u" Nay some faint echo of it may have b,
%" heard at the very gates of heaven itself I
'neS' tears rolled down Marian's cheeks. She tr
y. to say, God bless your but the tears
ieel the right of way, and the words broke i