Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-05-08

A Coarse laugh greeted this. The,
flung the end of the rope over the liml
of tree, and asked Rose if sha meant t
stay and see the fun.
sIs there nothing can do to saw
him ?" she implored. She felt sick will
terror, and burst into heartrenderint
sobs and prayers.
One or two men began to reient. Ate
all, peace, was the priests profession
and he was little to blame for protecting
such criminals as appealed to him. I
was like dragging a wild beasts prey
from his clutches to rescue the captive
now; but after short consultation among
the less hardened men, proposition wa
made which filed the grove with shouts
of laughter.
Dagger Joe came forward and address
sed Rose.
"You seem mighty anxious to save hin
Miss Tyler. Its easy to talk, but would
you really do anything?"
"You can hardly ask price I would
not pay for bis life p Rose declared with
feverish eagerness.
"Well, then-you shall marry him y
he said, promptly.
This decision was loudly applauded--
to marry a priest, and thus reduce him
at once to the level of q mere layman,
being almost as great sacrilege as to
kill him.
Rose did not hesitate a moment.
| Glance Lance p her heart cried; but a
human Life was at stake. She advanced
to the side of the priest.
In five minutes it was all over, the
simple western requirements had been
met, and the two were legally man and
wife.
The men went away with their ropes
and torches. After time the moon
came out brilliantly, and the night wore
on; but still the young German leaned,
shudderingly, against a tree, and the
girl crouched at his feet, quietly weep
ing.
At last third figure appeared-Lance
Lyford. He came close to the pair, and
trying to speak calmly, said: cit is true,
then, Rose? Very well-I can make
you his widow"
"Don't I command p cried Rose. II
did this with. my eyes open; I am will
ing to be his wife.
'Oh, my love-" jerome said, his heart
wrung with pain, "do not say that you
are willing to go away with me and for
get the shame of my broken VOWS and
our enforced union in happy future.
Say, instead, that you despise me,
loathe me-"
II do not loathe you," she said, firm
ly; she was too proud to let Lance guess
how much she regretted him. 81 care
as much for you as for any man on
earth. And I do not see by what
right Mr.. Lyford comes to inter-
fere with us p
Lyford ground his teeth; he half re-
solved to shoot both and thus end it.
'Listen," said the priest, gravely, 81
should be mad, indeed, and cruelty sell
fish, to pay any heed to your kind words.
They are not true-you love this young
man, and he loves you. If I took you
at your word you would kill yourself or
die of broken heart"
The lovers eyes met, and all was con-
fessed in that gaze.
81 have been weak, and recreant to
my high trust, but I am not utterly
wicked. I will not accept your sacrifice.
I renounce you, Rose, to one who has
better right to you. Either the law, or
the interposition Of God, will soon set
you free" He joined their hands, ut
tered sigh, almost groan, and walked
away.
At distance he turned and looked
back. The moonlight shone full on his
tall, stately figure in its Towering gar
ments, and on his pale, classic face, en-
nobled by his lofty purpose. The two
regarded him earnestly.
No one ever, in life or death, saw Faith
Jerome again.
He took the road that formerly led
through the now deserted gulch, though
he had often heard vague rumors Of its
danger. He reached the gulch, which
was the dry bed Of river, about half a
mile wide, and descending the bank nro-
ceeded to cross. He noticed how deeply
he sank into the sand, and how it cluug
to his feet and clogged his steps; yet he
had no thought of peril until he reached
the middle Of the space, when, pausing
in dismay, he suddenly sank nearly to
his waist.
"Qucksandp' he murmured. He
glanced about and saw at once the hope
lessness of his position. Taking of his
large hat he whirled it through the air.
The wind carried it to the bank and
lodged it upon some bushes.
1.-THE will find it and understand" he
said. Then he folded his arms upon his
breast and prayed without ceasing dur
ing the few moments that remained to
him.
When the story of Father Jerome's-
faithfulness, his fruitless mission and
disgraceful end was brought to the mon
astery which sent him forth, his breth-
rem could find no words harsh and bitter
enough to express their opinion of him.
But in the able, an older and wiser
man than any of them. The fires of
youth still burned, and he said gently:
Remember that he might have fed
with the woman, and in time have won
her love, but he could not 60. It was a
heroic remuneration. Let it be counted