The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1880-06-30

facing the window, combined with
their usual pleading expression a
sort of feverish glitter, and the whole
attitude Of the man was one Of des-
pair. Inhis hands he held what ap-
peared to be photograph and an old
letter, and he never moved his eyes
from them.
The rest Of the room that came
within Georgia's field of vision be-
tokened cleanliness, but at the same
time extreme poverty for even that
rough country. Georgia Withdrew
his head and his companion took a
look, after which they both softly re-
treated some little distance into the
timber and paused.
"Well?' said Roney.
"Durned queer" said Georgia.
"Kinder sick-looking, eh2"
Georgia nodded his head thought.
fully.
"Let'sse the boys about it" said
Roney, then they both retraced
their steps to the saloon.
The boys listened with interest to
the report and pulled their boards
and scratched their heads in at
tempts to obtain solution as to
what allied the Hermit. Many and
various we're the explanations given,
and then they decided that Georgia
and Roney had better. go back and
knock at the door and inquire, at
any rate, ifanything was wrong; 80
thereupon the two once more started
up the trail. They knocked-first
softly and then louder-but elected
no response or caused any show Of
life within, save the extinguishment
Immediately Of the light.
"No use," whispered Roney, and
without further word they left the
little cabin and its solitary and &C.
centric occupant and joined their
comrades.
The next day passed and the next
and the Hermit gave no signs Of ex-
istence. The next evening the mail
came in and among the letters was
one in a woman's hand, for John
Harmer, Mineral City, San Juan
county, Colorado. There was not
such parsonage in the county, so
far as the boys knew, but Georgia
suddenly suggested that it might be
for the Hermit. This seemed most
probable and he was deputed to car.
ry it up and deliver it, if correct.
AS before all the knocking failed
to obtain an answer, and Georgia,
after moments hesitation, put his
shoulder to the door and with as lit-
tie noise as possible burst the wooden
button of that served as a lock. The
next instant and Georgia was in the
room. The hermit lay extended up
on the floor, his face flushed and hot
with fever and his long, thin fingers
nervously grasping and relaxing
again the torn blanket on which he
tossed.
"What is the matter, old pard2''
said Georgia, as he raised the old
mans head.
The fevered eyes slowly turned to.
ward his face, the emaciated fingers
opened, and the poor, lonely old fel-
low said huskily:
"Don't tell her!"
"Who-tell who2"
"Alice-poor little thing-shs don't
know"
Thinking of bis folks in the
States" muttered Georgia, and then
tenderly and carefully he lifted the
sick man In his arms and strobe
away to his own cabin.
The news Of the Hermit's sickness
spread through the camp and blan-
kets and food came from all quarters
for his use. The store was ransacked
for the best that could afford. A ter
eslaughtering Of mountain grouse
took place that rich broth might be
made for the invalid. One man trav.
eled sixteen miles to silverton to Sc.
cure o can OF peaches, and the men
almost fought in their anxiety to act
as nurses and walters. Georgia
thanked the boys, but kept them
away, admitting only one or two tc
aid him in the care of the old man
But despite all this attention the old