Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-05-19


heart, tender not merely toward his
own, but with a sympathy that reaches
to all helpless suffering creatures how
gre at it is
81 was t'inkin'," said Bat. gravely,
bet dat Providence you been spikin'
| bot it why it amt take care Of doctors
horses de same time"
After the doctor and Bat had crossed
Fraser's creek the stealthy figure that
had followed them thus far, with some
thing in his hand, stopped, covering be-
meath fire tree, till the CLEAN oftheir
lanter was like a FREELY in the dis
tancce then he approached the bridge,
and with eyes grown accustomed to the
darkness examined the end that lay
upon the bank. He could see suffici-
emily well for his purpose. which was
was soon apparent, for, taking up his
pick, he commenced digging into the
bank and displacing the rocks, work
ing with a fendish energy.
Curse him." he said, between his
teeth, an fix him so that no docto?
can't save him.
And so with muttered curses, with
the hoarse, believing torrent beneath
and the shreiking pines above, the work
WAS done, and the timber left in such
position that one attempting to sross
upon it would cause its fall. 1t was
horrible to think of-plunged into the
hell of waters and whirling debris, to be
dashed against the share rocks or carri-
eI swiftly down the dark ravine to
death as sure and cruel if not as sud
den.
There, you internal Canuck," said
the man, 'you bet you've done yer last
love-makin'. I'll take that little bust
off yer hands" he added with an
ugly laugh.
"But first you'd better repair that
bridge"
II was Maria, with her lantern sud
denly turned full upon him.
He uttered one fearful oath, and
shrank trembling like the coward that
he was before the girls cleaning eyes
as she held her light aloft
81 know what you have been doing
and what it is for. Now, go to work
and make it safe again"
"I'll be blamed if | do" growled
Jake.
The only answer was the click of a
revolver that her little firm hand held
steadily enough. She knew how to use
it; Jake was well aware of that. More
than once he had seen her bring down
her game, with skill that many an old
hunter might envy.
'If this fails, | have something else
at my belt Do as tell you, or will
kill you as | would wild beast that
me-"
Shed do it the little Spanish tiend."
'Tm tempted to do it now"-click.
cob how quickly | could send you
down there where you ment to send
him. | can hardly keep from doing it,
] hate you so; but I'd scorn to have
such dirty blood on my hands. Now go
to work"
Stung through and through with her
contempt, cowed and unnerved by the
threats that he knew were not idle ones,
Jake set about the work and it was soon
completed.
CHOW go home w she said, sternly.
There was no choice but to obey,
and, still under cover of the girls re-
volver he went before her like a sulky
convict driven to his dark cell.
90 I'll release you in the morning"
she said rs she drove him into snug
out-building, and, fastening the door
securely, left him to his meditations.
The rain had ceased Up through
the green canons tloated the mists of
the morning. Hinged with rosy light,
they sailed away through the blue
ether. Up rose the sun, shining grand
ly on the mountains, and through those
floods of gold came the doctor, and Rat
caroling his gay song, proud as trou-
badour home from the war going to
kneel at his ladys feet.
"By golly, we've save dat baby" he
cried, springing through the open door.
and how is Jake? | bet he's been
most sick of lonesome widout me.
Eth, where he is, dat Jake" he
shouted.
But Jake did not appear.
"And thou, Marie, my little one he
murmured in his own language that she
had learned in childhood, "hast thou
no smile for me? Those beautiful eyes
have they nothing to say to me this
morning? They were so eloquent last
night, my heart was aching with JOY.
Look at me, Maria-but thou art pale.
Vert thou troubled tor me, my little
love ?"
Swiftly rose the color to cheek and
brow, slowly the long lashes were up
lifted, and from dewy eyes and parted
rosy lips smiled the glad welcome home.
Jake, Just then appearing at the door,
saw it ALL and with stitled groan of
jealous passion and defeat, he turned
and fled, half-blinded with rage, he
knew not where-to get away from that