The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-12-14

yer hammer sounded.
Janie's eyes flashed in scorn.
sYou harm q helpless girl. You, who al
ways boaeted of bravery. For shame, Gus
Rybolt you are a coward" But in q gen
tier tone-s.If you viii make me 8 promise |
will also make you one, and keep mine az
long as you do yours. If you will leave me
now and become 9 better boy-an honest,
honorable one-I will never tell"
The temptation to persist in his undertak-
ing was great, but down 10 wicked, dare
devil Gus Rybolt's heart was . tender spot,
which beautiful jamie had held ever since
she was a mite Of o child, and he had taken
care Of her at school.
Harm her He wouldn't have have
harmed hair Of her head to have saved his
own life, and she knew it.
sYou cannot have the money, bnt wont
you accept the promise-wont you make the
cOmpacl p
Eyes" be said at last, in husky, strained
voice. s'Heaven bless you, jamie johnson,
and may Heaven help me! !" and he was
gone.
And jamie with her eyes full Of tears,
slipped into bed, and after q long time fell
soundly asleep.
But wasn't the old judge furious when be
came home?
IAN abominable practical joke, he fumed
There was Rube well as I am and very much
surprised to see me. ! 5only wish ! knew
who did it."
"Wby, papa," laughed jamie, s'you ought
TO be thankful that uncle RUDE is we'll and
not dying, as you thought. How can you
feel provoked or angry? I am 20 glad it
was not true"
The next morning Gus Rybolt had disap-
peared.
Ten years later jamie johnson was a low
ley, stately woman. The radiant promise OF
early girlhood was more than fulfilled, while
the brave, tender heart Was unchanged.
!. The wife of the Governor was receiving,
and her roomsW were filled with distinguished
guests. The last conner was a young man OF
thirty, Of commanding presence, whose grave
and noble face made him seem some older.
After paying his respects TO the hostess he
made his way slowly forward and was met
by many smiles and greetings. He Was evil
IDENTIFY a great favorite in society.
'.Oh! there is General Rybolt, who has
refused the Austrian mission, papa says, be-
cause he has another and better mission
among the poor of New York. You know
him by reputation, dear, but very few know
The half OF the great and good things he is
doing with his wealth and talents" The
speaker was the Governors daughter.
jamie johnson turned her lovely hazel eyes
carelessly toward the person pointed out
looked one instant coolly upon him, and her
face underwent . sudden strange change.
1T is-yes, it must be Gus Rybolt! How
marvellous ale thy Weys, Q God" she
breAthed.
Slowly yet steadily he found his way to-
wards her.
Her face was no longer pale, but flushed,
and her appraised eyes showed pleased recog-
milton.
His first words were: Il have kept my
promise; nave you kept yours?'
Yes, oh yes," She breathed, then added,
''Thank HeaY.n!' to which he gave . low
.sAmen."
10 say the old judge was astonished is put
ting it mildly. To find in the eminent editor
and reformer, his old-as he supposed-in-
corrigible Gus Rybolt, utterly nonplussed
him. To an old friend be said coniuenlially !;
Yes the boy has turned out 9 trump, and
the wonder Of it is jamie thinks so too" and
he laughed.
And jamie never told of her robber yet she
kisses sometimes q purple scar on her hus-
bands wrist.
1T was the beginning Of the new life"
she says, 1.-THE beautiful new life Of an hon
est man,"
ia