The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-11-06

hate WOTkcU away anu Sdlu never q
word. He opened the door, and with.
out looking back remarked:
''TiI be mere by sunset
See that you are" was the reply.
IF you come here later the house will
be empty"
The wife watched his form across the
clearing, and saw il disappear in the
heavy timber which circled the cabin.
She turned to her household duties. but
bad no heart for them. Well she
knew Rube Waxford would break bis
last promise, as he had broken others
before it Ifso he must abide by the
result. She was determined.
The day went by at a snail's pace,
and the afternoon seemed never ending
Ka fondled the baby, listened to her
crow and cry, and fed her a dozen
times. Then she prepared supper, and
sunset came when il was completed
But it brought no Rube. Another
hour aud still he WAS absent. So the
moments passed until the clock struck
10. The baby was fast asleep. Kate
rose from chair at the cradles side.
lock of firm determination on her face.
and opening the cabin door she peered
across the clearing. Not y soul was
visible. She closed the door, went to
the chest, and took from it o.. old
fashioaed pair of skate. hose
steel runners gleamed i'll the
freight. She laid ther, ready
for use and proceeded to w. herself
as warmly as possible T.'ci. -,e bund-
led the baby in the same manner. lift
ed her tenderly in her arms, and with
the skates slung over her shoulder.
started across the clearing. After
reaching the timber she left the beaten
path and made for the river. 1t was
coated heavily with ice, anil the winds
had blown it almost entirely free from
snow, leaving nearly naked surface
Kate laid the baby down for a few
moments while she fastened on her
skates. Then she lifted her baby once
more and started for Pineville, fifteen
miles away. The moon shone bright.
ly, she vas q wonderfully rapid skater,
and she knew no slightest suspicion OF
fear.
Rube Wexford sat near the warm
fire which was surrounded by a dozen
men beside himself He had been
there for hours listening to anecdotes
Of hunters lives. even adding to the
general fund with some of his own ex-
periences, but though his companions
coaxed and persuaded him. they could
not prevail on him to taste liquor.
This was something so entirely new
that many laugh and joke was bad
at his expense. He answered all per-
suasions to imbibe in the same way
saving only, mot to-day, boys not to-
dsy.
When sunset came he was still In
his seat. He wanted to be home, he
wanted to keep his promise. but he
thought he would wait awhile and
start later so as it would not look
to Kate 100 mu;h as if he were giving
in. So thinking he went to a quiet
corner by himself, and had not been
there long before he fell asleep. 1t
was IL o'clock when he awoke with a
start and said hurriedIv:
"What is it, Kate?"
A loud roar of laughter brought
him to his senses, and a rough voice
cried:
''Rube, guess you've been dream
ing"
ayes" be replied, foolishly. 81
thought my wife was calling me-"
He glanced at the clock and said !:
boys. | must GO"
"Have something before you leave,
was the general cry.
mo, no not tonight
Then he was gone His conscience
smnte him as he trudged through
the snow. 1t would be after 2 O'Clock
when he reached home. One thing
consoled him somewhat; he was sober
But would Kate be in the cabin when
he returned? OF course, che must be.
Nothing short of madness could tempt
her to keep the rash vow she made in
the morning. So thought Rube. This
was because he was incapable of esti-
mating the great suffering which he
had caused his wife
On he went until through the still.
ness of the night wac borne to his ears
the sound of falling waters. Itpro-
ceeded from a spot which marked the
halfway between Pineville and his
own home, and was caused by the
river tumbling down steep descent
of fifteen or twenty feet of ruggid
rocks. His road at this point lay
close to the river bank, and soon he
vor In fnll view Of fha cascada