News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-02-11
shrug of Indifference, when questioned

freedom in her movements, a magnetism
in her dark eyes when she turned them
full upon YOU a consciousness of power
in her saucv. defiant ways, that fascin-
ated all who came in contact with her.
myself was strongly attracted to her;
what wonder then that Jake and Tim
Canes became her abject slaves.
| had often amused myself watching
the three, feeling about the same kind
of interest-half amusement, half fear
in their fierce rude love-making, their
iealousies and quarrels, that | would in
the gambols of trio of wild animals.
The days passed on, but my two big
boys came to school no more At. last
1 began to wonder, if jimmy had any
] thHg to do with their absence. -,hvi-
IDENTIFY there was something wrong with
the girl ;she seemed sullen and depressed,
and sat in her seat frowninG, silent;
and when | questioned her she shut her
teeth tiercely together, and answered not
a word.
But soon there came a change; one
afternoon | noticed that she was terribly
restless and excited, and her great eyes,
no longer defiant, sought mine contin-
ually, with an expression of mute ap
peal, such as we. see in the eyes of
dumb animal when in pain.
My heart ached for her, but I had
been 50 often repulsed, that 1 thought
best to wait for her to speak. When
/ the scholars were dismissed she lin
! gered behind and as the door closed on
| the last one she sprang forward, and
/ throwing herself at my feet, with tears
and groans and incoherent cries, made
known the cause of her wretchedness.
I've killed Jake, marm! I've killed
Jake!n she moaned, rocking herself
wildly to and fro.
'How-how is that" I asked, re-
coiling from her instinctively.
why, twas me Jake and Tim fit
over, that day they came in kivered with
blood! l set 'em at it, and laughed ter
see it 90 on. Then few days ago
they begun again-and l might a
stopped en- with a word, and l didn't
-! Somehow l couldn't. But wish l
had! Oh, how l wish l had! If
it was only Tim a dyin' now,
instead O Jake, l wouldn't care!" she
muttered fiercely. II alters hated Tim
-allersl"
but, jimmy" saidI. wishing to divert
her, ''are you quite sure Jake will dic:"
''Oh, yes marm, they say so; and fear
it here, " laying her hand on her heart. [
made inquiries as to the nature of Jake's
injury, but could gather nothing definite,
except that it was a wound from pistol
shot, and that for some unaccOuntable
reason he had made scarcely any show of
defending himself according to those
who witnessed the encounter, che seemed |
all at once spilin' to get killed
''Perhaps you would like to go to
him." I suggested.
''Oh, would, Iwould, " she exclaimed
eagerly. 81 haint seen him yet. l hung
round the place all last night, fearin' to
to go inside. Yes will go! she cried,
with sudden vehemence, her pale cheek
flushing, and I'll die with him, too. One |
grave shall lliver us-me and Jaker'
An idea occurred tU mo. Il haze had
some experience with such wounds,
said II might do something for him.
Shall I go with you?"
''Oh, yes, YES. Conner She hurried .
me out and led the way along a cross
road through the woods.
Never good walker, | soon began to |
feel WEAKNESS, and jimmy noticed that |
Jagged behind.
''Mebby you're a tired, marm," she
remarked. Il don't mind miles O.
trampin' myself. I'm used to it. Lem
me kerry We, num- And before I could .
demonstrate she picked me up and shoul-
dered me as if had been sack Of corn.
Pears like it'll do me good, y she NUT
tered as she strobe along seemingly little |
encumbered by her burden.
AT last we reached the miserable hut |
that Jake called his home. We pushed /
open the door and looked in. A very old |
woman crouched by smaky fire, and on
a rude bed in a corner of the room lay |
Jake, his immense proportions sharply |
outlined through the scanty covering.
Tige, the dog, crouched at his feet, and !
took no notice of our approach.
A handsome rifle and a brace of pistols !
hung against the wall beside the bed; for
the cowboy of the Southwest is seldom 50
poor that he does not own handsome fire /
arms.
As we entered, the old woman, who
proved to be Jake's mother, got upon her
feet with great difficulty, and came to-
ward us. But jimmy laid her finger on
her lips and glided swiftly past her to the
bed.
Clasping both hands tightly behind
his name.
At the sound of her voice he opened
his eyes and gazed wildly about. without
seeming to see the face so near his own.
He turned his head and caught sight of
me, and knew me. Brushing his hand
slowly across his eyes, he said:
Il didn't know I'd fell asleep, marin"
evidently thinking he was in school.
I I I. -. j.,
and clasped his hands to her bosom. ooh, |
Jake, Jake!" she cried in agony, ''don't |
yer st me? Don't yer know your poor
Jinny?"
Then his bewildered eyes met hers.
''Why, why, Jimmy, gal, how's this, |
how's this?" he muttered; then seeing her |
tears, he smiled strangely "Cryin'?" ne
said. Il alters knowed you had a kind |.
heart. l knowed it, jimmy; thar thar,
soOthingly. But that want no sign that |
you liked me- was it? | see it all now /
But somehow, that day when | found |
twas Tim, for sure, " raising his voice and .
moving his head restlessly on the pillow, |
why then Jest laid of and let him kill |
me, as it were. What's life to me with
out jimmy? says ter myself
The girl seemed suddenly to have lost |
all power oil speech. Slc was still /
kneeling beside HIM with her face buried .
in her hands, but no longer sobbing, and .
as motionlcss as if she heard him not.
He turned to me. "Can you tell me,
marin, he said, with great earnestness,
eff so be there's directions in the book
the Test'ment, you know, that you give
me-for settlin' such diffikilty as mine |
was? l looked, bat | couldn't find no
word--no orders
'If could only a gone by the book, "
he repeated, wistfully, ''but as it was we
had ter settle it in the old way-pistils
and bowie knives. But what's the use
O. talllin', it's all squar now" He sighed |
wearily, and closed his eyes, muttering
again to himself, ''all square, ~
| laid my hand on his head and tried .
to soothe him | told him that jimmy .
and | had come to nurse him and make |
him well again, and that l hoped all |
would come right.
He put out his hand and touched F..
jimmy, but she made no movement !
jimmy and me use'ter talk sometimes,
marm," said he slowly and painfully, |
1--WE use'ter talk, that we might go to-
gether somewhar', fur from this place, |
and do better Try ter live more like |
folks, and 'cordin' ter the book, yer
know. Give up all this iightin' an
swairin', an these poor, miser'ble ways, |
and have home together. But thar,
what's the use O talkin'; it's too late |
now-too lat" !"