The Red Cloud chief., 1881-05-05

": WHO do you suppose has come
Wes.?"
"Who?" said Mary. "Any Of our
friends?"
"Silas Greent'
"Silas Green" echoed Mary; "wby
should he come West?'
"He has brought n great drove Of
cattle and is going to have them herded
near here; he viii make n mint Of
money. He told me that he came West
for his health. i never knew he WIS
sickly BEFORE
II wonder if he will come TO see u.s."
said Mary.
The next day Silas answered her
wonderings BY making his appearance
at the door. Mary was glad to see a
familiar face. and putting aside all
thoughts of the past. as the wife OF an
other. made Silas quite welcome. And
when Silas told her of old friends, how
this one was married and that one went
counting, and gave her messages from
dear ones, what wonder that Mary's
cheek glowed and her eye grew bright?
For Silas was the first from the old
neighborhood to visit them.
After the first visit, Silas called fire.
Guently at the humble dug-out. and
each time he had something of interest
To relate about the old neighborhood.
Mary's evident pleasure in his CONVEX
sation troubled John. and he watched
them with 4 jealous eye.
Harvest came and went. The grass.
hopper passed over to other fields. The
yield OF grain was abundant; far .ex-
ceeding Johns most sanguine hopes.
He could now build his house. but he
went about the work i'm a half-hearted
way. The fancy that Mary regretted
her step OF three years ago had grown
into a certainty, and though he said
nothing to Mary, he was very unhappy.
He brought his lumber from the neigh
boring town, and one day the thought
| occurred to him that Silas might take
advantage of his absence to visit Mary.
He glanced back. Sure enough, there
was Silas Green's sorrel horse headed
toward the dug-on. 1t was but the
work of a moment for John to spring
TO the ground and hitch the horses;
then, taking n circuitous route, he
passed the hill and slipped cautiously
up to the uncovered window of the
dug-out.
Nov, may God have mercy on that
mans soul, if he says aught TO my wife
! that he would not have me heart"
He silently drew the vines apart and
looked in. Silas was standing lear the
stove watchin : Mary as she busted her.
self tidying the room.
YES" Mary was saying, 'John has
gone to town for lumber. He is anxious
to get the house built. and so am l..
for this begins to cave, and is hardly
safe. We are going to build just as we
planned three years ago" Mary
glanced up. and seeing the strange pal
Tor of Silas' face, exclaimed: What is
the matter, Silas; are you sck?"
Yes" said Silas, huskily, 81 am
sick-sick with the thought of your
living for three long Years in such a
place. when you aye fitted to grace a
princes palace. o Mary, l would have
given you all your heart could desire.
l would have heapcd every comfort and
luxury around YOU. l would have
shielded YOU from every rude blast!
Do you never think of what it might
have been?"
Silas took a step forward.
Johns hand held a knotted stick with
a grip of iron; but his gaze was riveted
on Mary. She seemed to grow taller
and her eyes fairly blazed with anger.
Coward she exclaimed, Ito visit a
mans house when he is gone, and say
such words to his wife! What might
have been! | tell you it nerer could
have been! If | could live a hundred
years, l would rather live them in the
most miserable dug-Out with John Hem
derby, than to be your wife and live in
the most ~princely palace"
SilaS shrunk back before Mary's just
Indignation. and his voice was humble
enough. rs he said: Il know l have
done wrong in speaking as l did. l
can't tell what prompted me unless it
is the sight of your poverty; and. try as
might. / have never been able to put
your image from my mind"
''You degrade yourself and humilate
me by making such a confession" said
Mary. ''Go now and remember that as
for my poverty, 1 am rich, rich in the
love of a true. honest man"
John Henderby'5 head was bowed
among the vines, his stick dropped
from his hand. for what cared he for
the cowed man who passed from the
door, and who mounted his horse and
rode swiftly away?
When Silas had gone, John entered
and took Mary, all trembling with ex-
element, in his arms. Then, in a
broken voice, he told her of all his
doubts, and Mary, listening, was
grieved, yet glad; grieved that John
should doubt her love. glad that the
cloud would now be lifted from his
brow. All Johns foolish fapcies were
removed, and when he left the humble
dug-out. he had full confidence that
whatever winds might blow, Mary's
love would still be firm and abiding
Arthur's Home Magazine.