The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-10-07

that at last, when the time came for
changing pastures, went with the
herd and left him still at Junta.
"'I would willingly have taken his
place, look you, if had known tho re-
suit, but perhaps the other way was the
best, after all; for now Kitty has two
men to serve her. he added medita-
lively.
":When got back to Junta in Octo-
Der, Parker was quite recovered, l found
out at the ranch, but was in town that
evening, 80 went quietly into Kitty's
house to surprise them. As crossed
the hall heard Parker's voice. Could
I have mistaken the house? was it really
his voice heardp Yes: he was telling
Kitty how he had broken the three-year-
old colt to side saddle, SO when she came
to Trocalara she must give up her old
pony. 1 knew then why Kitty had kept
him there so long, he had lost his reason
and she wished to keep me from know
ing it! 1900 ..,,, 49,,
and heard him tell her how he had al.
ways loved her, apparently going over
an old story to her. My God! would
as soon have told the Virgin 1 loved her!
And then 1 heard her voice. "When l
am your wife =" she began.
SO 1t all flashed on me in an instant
then. slipped noiselessly out, and if
they heard ''Odd Trick s" gallop on the
turf it was not because his hoofs lin
gered too long there.
81 can't remember how l passed
that night. The revelation had been
80 sudden that the words seemed to be
written in my heart and to be carried
through every vein with each beat.
when 1 am your wife, What would
the result be? Our Kitty was to be his
wife? Could I still stay at the ranch?
when am your wife, and loved
her!
"'The next day l went into Junta
and saw them both. l told Parker
how the herd stood, and how the
but I never had the courage to look at
her.
".After while she went to the piano
and played "Home:" then she came
and sat down by me and said, 81 have
told Parker l will 60 home with him: 1
will try to be sister to you"
"' believe only stared at her, and
then wrung Parker's hand and went
out.
"'He married her the next month,
nd-and-Trocalara has been Heaven
ever since.
eel never knew what Christian was
before she came: you know we have no
faith in Texas in things we can't draw a
bead on. But when she read me the
story of the Scribes and Pharisees and
Christ felt ashamed to be like those
Flatheads and Greasers in the New
Testament who did not believe in Him;
and now feel sure of knowing some
one in Heaven, for Kitty has promised
to find me there
II forget great many of the in
cidents he told u.s." Donaldson went
on in the quiet that was almost equal to
the calm around us; land dare say it
would bore you to listen. But he
certainly was the most extraordinary
man ever met. can't do Justice to his
expressions, for they lack his soft voice
and curious hesitation. wish we had
him here, though"
Ibid you ever hear of him againp'
some one asked.
eyes. When we reached New York
I found him standing in his old place
by the aft wheel-house in dazed sort
of way, with apparently no intention of
going ashore; SO l asked him what
hotel he intended to stop at. His only
answer was to hand me letter dated
some days before.
"tJUNTA, Texas.
"'Kitty died last night. It is boy, and is
named after yOu-her last wish.
"sPARKER'
That was all the letter said, but as
looked at his white face and burning
eyes I saw it was what he had feared.
''As l babe him goodnight at the
hotel that evening he asked me, do
you really feel sure that I could find
her-thereP'
eyes: she said SO, did she not?' I
replied.
"I will try he said simply.
g The next morning they found him
with abullet-hole in his temple. He had
gone to find Kitty"
''Heads!' said Thornton as the boom
swung over and the swirl from the
Idler's bow told us the wind had come.
AS changed my place 1 caught Miss
Brogden's eye, and felt satisfied that
Donaldson was forgiven.-Lippincott's
Magazine. .