The sun., 1883-12-23

pntnetlC OF tNc IeIteTN ne NUtl composed and r0-
| jected whose torn fragments still Uttered tho
| floor could never have spoken with tho clo-
auence OF this empty spacc. The mon OK
| changed no words. the solitude OF the cabin
| instead OF drawing them together seemed to
| isolate each one In selfish disrust Of the
| othors. Even tho unthnking garruity OF
| Union Mills and tho Judge was checked A
moment later. when the LEFT Bower entered
the cabin. his presence was scarcely noticed
The silence was broken by a joyous exclama-
ton from tho Judge. He had discovered tho
| Old Mans rife in the corner. where it had boon
at first overlooked. He amt gone yet. gcntle-
men. for yer's his rife" he broke In. with
feverish return OF volubility and high excited
falsetto. He wouldn't have left this behind.
| No knowed 1t from the first. He's Just out
eide a bit. foraging for wood and water. No.
siri Coming along hero said to Union Mills.
| didn't II Bet your life the Old Mans not far
of. even II he ain't in the cabin Why. the mo-
ment stepped foot"
And l said coming along" interrupted
Union Mills with equally rowling mendacity.
like as not he's hangin' round yer and lyin'
low just to give us surprise. He! ho"
Hes gone for good. and he left that ri le
here on purpose" said the Loft Bower In n low
| voice. taking the weapon almost tenderly In his
| hands.
Drop 1t. then I" said the Right Bower. Tho
voice was that OF his brother. but suddenly
changed with passion. The two other partners
instinctively drew back in alarm.
| I'm not leave 1t here for the first conner"
said the Left Bower calmly. because we'vs
been fools and he too. It's too good weapon
| for that"
Drop 1t. sayl" said the Right Bower. with
a snvage stride toward him.
| Tho younger brother brought the rife to
| half charge with white face but steady eye.
stop where you are!' he said collectcdly.
Don't row with me. because you haven't either
the grit to stick to your ideas the heart to
| confess them wrong. We've followed your lead.
and-hero we erei Tho camps broken up
tho Old Man's gono-and wore going. And
| rs for tho ID rifle"
Drop It. do you heart" shouted the Right
Bower. clinging to that ono idea with the blind
pertinacity of rage and q losing cause. Drop
| np
| The Left Bower drow back. but his brother
had seized the barrel with both hands There
was a mom-n.ary struggle q flash through the
ha'f-lighted cabin. and a shattering report.
| The two men fell back from each other; tho
rifle dropped on the floor between them.
| Tho whole thing was over 80 quickly that the
other two partners had not time to obey their
common impulse to separate them and con-
seluently even now could scarcely understand
| what had passed. 1t was over so quickly that
tho two actors themselves walked back to their
places scarcely realizing their own act.
A dead silence followed. Tho Judge and
Union Mills looked at each other in dazed as
constituent. and then nervousy set about their
former habits. apparently in that fatuous belief
common to such natures. that they were ignor-
ing painful situation Tho Judge drew tho
barrel toward him. picked up tho cards. and
began mechanically :" to make patience" on
which Union Mills gazcd with ostentatious in
tcrcst. but with eyes furtively conscious of the
rigid figure of the Right Bower by tho Chin
ney and the abstracted face Of the Left
Bower a: the door Ten minutes had
passed in this occupation. the Judge and
Union Mills conversing in the furtive
whispers of children unavoidably but fasc-
natedly present at family quarrel, when
light stop was heard upon the cracking brush
wood outside. and the bright painting face OF
the Old Man appeared upon the threshold.
There was a shout OF Joy. In another moment
he was half buried in ihe bosom OF the Right
Bowers shirt. half dragged into the lap of the
Judge. upsetting the barrel. and completely
encompassah by the Left Bower and Union
Mills. With tho enthusiastic utterance of his
name the spell was broken.
Happily unconscious OF the previous OK
element that had provoked this spontaneous
unanimity OF greeting. the Old Man. equally
relieved. at once broke into feverish an
nouncement Of his discovery. He painted the
details with. fear. a slight exaggeration Of
coiornC due partly to his own excite-
ment. and partly to justify their own.
But he was strangely conscious that these
bankrupt men appeared less elated with their
personal interest in their stroke OF fortune
than with his own snccsss. Il told you he'd
do it, said tho Judge. with reckless un-
scupulousness of statement that carried every
body with til Look at him the game little
pup" 20 no! he amt the right breed-is he?"
echoed Union Mills with arch irony while the
Right and Left Bower. grasping either hand.
pressed proud but silent greeting that was
half new to him. but wholly delicious. 1t was
not without difficulty that lie could at last pre-
vail upon them to return with him to the scene
of his discovery. or even then restrain them
from attempting to carry him thither on their
shoulders on the plea OF his previous prolonged
exertions Once only there was momentary
embarrassment. Then you fred that shot to
bring me back ?" said the Old Man gratefully.
In the awkward silence that followed the hands
OF the two brothers sought and grasped each
other penitently. Yes" interposed the Judge
with delicate tact. "ye see the Right and Left
Bower almost quarrelled to see which should be
the first to fire for ye. 1 disrcmember which
did" "Inever touched the trigger" said tho
Left Bower hastily. With q hurried BACKWARD
kick the Judge resumed: " 1t went off sor'ei
The difference In tho sentiment OF the pro-
cession that once more issued from the Lone
Star cabin did not fail to show itself In each in.
iivdual partner according To his temnera-
nent. The subtle tact of Union Mills. how.
ever. in expressing an awakened rsspect for
lhoir fortunate, partner by addressing him, al
r. unconsconsly. as Mr., Ford was at nrst
| discomposing. but even this was forgotten In
their prenthess excitement as they neared the
base Of ,hH n1po,.tR When they haa crossed
You say you heard tho slide come down be-
fore YOU left the cabin?' he said. turning TO
Yes: but did not know then what 1t was.
II was about an hour and half after you left. "
WAS the reply
Then look here, boys" continued the Right
ihs Siids i @hsa inis thscras was
it,and helned as clear out the race."
| 1t seemed 40 clearly that Providence had
taken the partners Of the Lone Star directly in
hand that they faced the toilsome ascent Of the
mountain with the assurance OF conuuerotS.
They paused only on the summit to allow the
Old Man to lead the way to the slope that held
their treasure. He advanced cautiously to the
edge OF tho rrIlmbing cliff stODDeu looked be-