Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-20
rraduany from her faint into an easy slum-

gradually from her faint into an easy slun-
Der.
1t was o'clock in the morning, and the
girl was still sleeping, when Parson Jim re-
turned. All Wing felt much relieved, and
at once handed the note 90 his master. 1t
was written in a rough, unknown hand, but
this is what he managed to deciphar:
'sPARsoN-You are understood to Be
pretty good fellow This girls father was
accidentally shot this evening in scufie
with the coach people She must be cared
for, and I select you for the job. know
your record. and you are the only man in
Colorado would trust with an unprotected
girl I viii see that you are supplied from
time to time with money for her keep. Be
true to this trust, or look out for
kansas
The parson twirfed the paper in his
fingers, showed it into his hip pocket, and
then asked few questions OF All Wing.
"What kind Of e fellow brought the girl
herer
"Muchee fine Mclean man." replied the
little Chinamen.
Would you know him again il you saw
him. All Wingf'
eyes, stree; All Wing no fool"
Half an hour later the fair young stranger
opened her eyes, and the parson, in his
homely but pleasant way, proceeded to make
her feel at home.
II am afraid, miss, that you have Just
passed through serious trouble; but try and
feel that you are at least safe and among
friends You are welcome to all the poor
house affords, and anything we can do for
you shall be done"
But the girl burst into food of tears, and
could speak no words but poor father-poor
father"
Later On Parson Jim learned that she and
her father were the only passengers on the
preceding day from Denver, and that they
were going through to Colorado Springs on
their way to New Orleans. The coach was
attacked by highwaymen, and as the girls
father, Mr. Wnship, rather unwisely resisted
them, be was shot dead Then the girl had
tainted, and remembered nothing until she
found herself in Parson Jim's best room. Her
name, she said, was Ethel Winship.
Putting the girls story and the contents Of
the note together, it looked as though the
despersdo Kansas had killed the girls father,
and prompted by some feelings Of reInorse
and pity. had undertaken to help the be-
reaved daughter.
A day or two later, when Ethel was some
what rested, and her grief less poignant,
Parson Jim had another talk with her.
What would you like to dos" he said
..Oh, SIR there is nothing for me to do.
Get me work of some kind here in this place.
We had no friends-father and I had lived
and travelled together since my mother died,
many years ago We were getting poor, too,
r A. L.l -. - L..
own, but what they were do not know. II
you will help me to get living here l shall
be much obliged, and am willing to try any
thing"
MY poor child" said Parson Jim in his
kindly voice, II am truly sorry for you If
you can be content in my rough home for
awhile, stay here until we can manage some
thing better for you have no one for whom
l care, OF who cares for me-oniy the boys in
the camp But those same boys will tell you
that not hair Of your head will be hurt
while you stay under my roof. have plenty
Of this world'd wealrh-rnore than the boys
imasine-and can afford a slight addition
to my family"
So she stayed, and found that Parson Jin's
words were true. She could not have been
treated more as lady had she been an earls
daughter and the guest of dowaGer duchess
As the weeks passed, Parson Jim managed to
add couple of cute little rooms to the par
sonage, one Of which was "nly lady'S cham
ber," and the other the ''parlor." Then, too,
pretty carpets a1d furniture came from Den
yer, and the boys began TO think that the
parson was putting on Jugs But they ex-
cused good deal il the parson, and really
WED with one another ID paying homage in
their rough way to the parsons ward
OF course, they soon knew the story, and
Parson Jim had shown the Hon. Samuel
Green and one OF two others the note that
kansas had left with Ethel Winship.
Months fed and Ethel stayed on at the
gulch. She became contented, and much
appreciated the parsons care and efforts TO
make her comfortable She showed her graft
tude in a hundred womanly ways, and kept
the parsonage as neat and pretty as if it had
been in Massachusetts or the English mid
lands, instead Of IL a wild Colorado valley.
Only, every time news came OF robbery or
murder by Kansas and his gang, would the
poor girl become agitated, and cry for ven
geance on the man who took from her dear
father.
Three years slipped quickly away at George
w Lc AOODCi Sfl-
IDENTITY not forgotten his promise to provide
for the girl; for, at odd times, packet OF
money had been found on the outside of the
parsons window sill. marked From Kan
sas.n 1t had always been placed there over
night, in a mysterious manner, for no one
was ever seen TO do it. Parson Jim himself
still preached every Sunday IL the Sample
Rooms. and was still prime favorite with
the miners, though they sometimes wondered
why q man who was evidently so well
fixed" as the parson should elect to stay in
a rough, out Of the way place like the gulch.
Ethel " inship had grown into beautiful
woman, and was as good as she was pretty.
Parson Jim perceived this Parson Jim vas
in love with his ward.
One evening in the s.JrinStime he told
Ethel Of his love, and asked her 10 be MS
wife
Il cannot answer that question, dear jim, u
said the girl Myself Is tho only reward
which can offer to any man, because | have
nausht else So l have long ago made up
my mind to keep myself to offer, If needs be,
as reward 10 the man who shall kill OF
capture Kansas. II il were not for that firm
resolve, would say Yes at once, for Jim.
you deserve my love and all l can give you
But do not ask NE, dear. Perhaps Kansas
Will be captured, anyhow, and soon, By some
one who VIII never think OF reward Then
well, don't think badly OF he, jim. dear
two things viii make me happy grl--ven.
geance on Kansas, and the right to call you
my husband"
Parson jim heard these words sadly
enough; bat re thought too much of Ethel
and her resolves TO seek hastily TO turn her
purpose even for his own benefit
Early IN the following summer, toward