The Red Cloud chief., 1888-12-21

posSmAoe knock In the distance; u Am
nearer-and died away.
perhaps there will b one In the NOR
Ing" Aarjory went on; bat her voios e
tered
In the morning! Another long. awfu
sleepless night Of hoping against hops. o
~msddening. stestily-growing despair! Jir
shuddcrcd. He MAS worn out, physicali.
and mentally; and be felt - though he coui
not stand the sickening suspense longer. A
he looked Ut his wife. her wan, chsnge'
lttle face, with its pale ghost OF . smile
ned TO pierce his heart
strange, terrible. determined look set
round lis mouth, but, Axrjory wa
ling her curly head against his arm. snt
not see his face.
be o was quite dark now, but the.
e still standing At the window. For
o Carol was very still. Then he aA!d:
am very tired, Marjory, darling. viii
1owu for . while. Don't disturb me. i
1T sleep last night" (nor for many nights
might nave added.)
But won't you have q cup Of tea frst
o.
No, I dom care for any"
A long sleep will do you good, dear. che
~ S04CcSAuA w Aoue
adfui."
Yes" he answered, in . strangely quiet
&c, "a long sleep will do me good" Then
denly: kiss me, Msrjory!"
All, my own ear disappointed boy
cried. throwing her arms round him.
fe held her 70 him tightly. and kissed her
lin and again.
Ny darling" he said. hoarsely. my
n darling"
Then he let her 60. and went away. She
Ard him 20 w stairs and his footsteps
no In the room above.
biarjory sat 1t the window for siong,
hR time; and watched the stars grow
lighter and clearer in the soft dark sky.
mcwhere In the distance . street organ
~ wai!ing out an old hackneyed waltz tune.
stirred her heart strangely. Shs rcmem-
red dancing that waltz with Jim, so very,
Fry long ago-it seemed long ago, like
cry thing else that was bright and hope
]. Even Marjory's brave little heart was
(avy tonight. What would become Of
IN. she wOnderede God only knew.
The clock In . ~neighboring church tower
POmed out on the night air. and ss the las;
o died away there was q sharp knock
the dOor. 1t was the postmAn. Nar1ory
ok the n letter he held out 20 her. and
losing the door again h went hack to the
lifting room. With trembling fingers she
lighted the candle and examined the en-
elope eagerly. Yes. II was Mr.. Lyie's hand
MarjOry recognized It without
ificulty, for II was . peculiar hand. With
beating heart she stole softly up stairs-
he did not take the candle, for fear OF
lin ahNnlA la hn ~alnAu -A~A
ceped into the bedroom. AL was still. In
he dim outline Of his figure on the bed.
Jim! :" she whispered.
No answer. He was evidently asleep.
All! it seemed a pity to wake him. abe
and perhaps. after all, the letter
cid bad news. She softly laid . shawl
yer him In the semi-dsrkncss. and crepI
own stairs again.
After looking at the fateful envelope for
time she slowly opened it. She could
d wait, and she knew Jim would moi mind. |
another moment she uttered q little glad |
cry. and her lips parted In .
yful. half incredulous smile. Could IL be
Yes-Jim's design had been |
'lectcd ~ the best; the premium would be !
S! And this was not the only good news
70 letter contained: for Lyle went on to |
" that he had heard OF a vacant appoint |
cnt, which ne thought he could-through
8 fathers infiuence-securc for Carol.
Mallory hid her face in her hands; for Q
oment the revulsion Of feeling was almost
o much. Then, in u passion Of tears aud
she fell upon her knees. But
G could only say: THANK God! Thank
,d!"
An hour passed. The o was drifting
,ong the stars and streaming in through
. uncurtained window on Marjory's face
I with happy tears. The candle had
rned itself out
what . joyous waking Jim's would
! Should she lay the letter on his pillow
surprise him when he awokel Or should
. rouse hint Perhaps he was already
AXE.
She lit . fresh bit Of candle, and, still
ldinR the precious letter, went up stairs.
o laid the candle down Just outside the
broom door and entered very gently.
How deadly still the room wasi
she said. sofly.
BUT Jim did not answer. How soundly
slept!
came nearc and bent over him
the throbbing darkness. Tho moon had
den herself behind q solitary cloud
Jim."-a little louder.
|till that strange weird hush. A vague
r stirred her heart. She did not even
v him breathe. What II he had tainted!
he moon sailed out again, Illuminating
{ Of the room, but leaving the bed in
p shadow.
Jim. darling" leaning over him and lag
her arm acfoes his neck, - letter has
~! lis" With . suddea sickeeing
b chopped and raised hsnslf, for
felt-thst her sleeve Wa vet!
natchinR up b candle she held Il over
bed, and BY it dickerinS light she saw
b. dear Heaven-what did she sesD
OF her Jim. surely!
white, dead fsce-a dark, red stain On
coverlet-a ghastly wound-and cold I
velsas aneerA sull holdiug-whasH A.,
b. cruel jim!
Ions. shuddefine ~ rang out on the
INN I
in and again Il echoed. Thsn Ill va
. .
the asylum st g. there IL Q fair. slender
nan. with solemn chid-tfke eyes I'D \
~ hair.
Hush " she says 70 the doctors every
with lowered voice, and uplifssd Aneef. /,
lsh! Jim u asleep I must o waks !.
!. he il - tired. poor jim! He don :
know that the lseter he's come. You c
take ne % him viii you sota Not sov &
Il when b awakesr-Csshs Teear, u q
pc Bsv. +,
Tom q borrower.-'l cay. Dick. 4
made bet with Harry and you .
the only one Who can keep It. .
. upon . time. you know. Douglas .
r0ld was asked BY IN acquaintance d
had the courage 70 lend him q