The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-05-10

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dict it. nor supplement-
zElk5 s-7 il with any details.
- His wound was severe,
but not dangerous.
After the first excitement had subsidized,
there was, ! think, prevailing impression
common 10 the provincial mind that ms mis-
fortune was the result OF the defective moral
quality Of his being a stranger and was, IN
vague sort Of a way, a warning to Others and a
lesson to him. Did you hear how that san
Francisco Teller was took down the other
night2 was the average tone Of Introductory
remark. Indeed there was general sugges-
tiOn that RidgeWays presence was one that no
self-respectlng, high-minded hlghWayman,
hOnOrably conservative of the best interests OF
Tuolumne County could for a moment tolerate.
Except for the few words spoken on that
eyontfUl morning Rldgeway was retlcent OF
the past. When Jenny strove to gather some
details Of the ARRAY that might offer clew to
his unknown assailant subtle twinkle IN his
brown eyes was the only response. When Mr.
McCloskv attempted the same process, the
young gentleman threw abusive eplthets and
eventually slippers teaspoons, and other lighter
articles within the reach Of an invalid, at the
head Of his ouestiOner 81 ] think he's coming
round, Jimmy" said Mr. McCIosky; - he laid
for me this morning with candlestiek."
1t was about this time that Miss Jenny, hav
ing sworn her father to secrecy regarding the
manner in which Ridgeway had been carried
into the house, conceived the idea Of address
ing the young man as Mr.. Dent" and of
apologiZng for intruding whenever she entered
the room In the discharge Of her household
duties. il was about this time that she be-
came more rigIdly conscientious 10 those duties,
and less general in her attentions. 1t was
al this time that the quality Of the invalid 5
u hat no tod less
frequently about if. 1t was about this time
that she began TO see more company; that the
house was greatly freguented by her former
admirers with whom she rode, walked, and
danced. ii was about this time also, and
when RIdgeway was able 10 be brought out on
the TeraDda IN q chair, that, with great archuess
Of manner, she introduced to him Miss Lucy
Ashe, the sister Of her betr0thed, flashing
brunei, and terrible heart breaker of Four
Forks. And, IN the midst Of this gaiety, she
concluded that she would spend 8 week with
the RobIns0ns, to whom she owed visit. She
enjoyed herself greatly there; SO much, indeed,
that she became quite holOW-eyed, the result
as she explained 10 her father, Of a too-lreguent
indulgence In festivity. You see, father,
won have many chances after John and / are
married: you know how queer be IS, and must
make the most Of my time and she laughed
an odd little laugh, which had lately become
hahitual to Der. " Aud how is Mr.. Dent get
ting on 2" Her father replied that he was get
ting on very well inde6d-so well, in fact
that be was able to leave for San Francisco two
days ago. lie wanted 10 be remembered to
yOu, jimmy remembered kindly'-yes, they
is the very words he used. said Mr. McClosky,
looking down, aud consulting one Of his large
shoes for confederation. Miss Jenny was glad
TO hear that he was SO much better. Miss
Jenny could not imagine any thing that pleased
her more than 70 know that he was Sc strong as
70 be able TO rej0in his friends again, who must
love him 50 much, and he SO anxious about him.
her father thought size would be pleased and
now that be WAS gone, there was really no ne
cessity for her TO hurry back. Miss Jenny, in
high metallic voice, did not know that she
bad expressed any desire to stay still If her
presence had become distasteful at home, if her
own father was DESTROYS 81 getting rid Of her,
IL when she was soon 20 leave his roof forever,
lie still begrudged her those few days remain
ing, il My God. jimmy, 50 help me . said
Mr.. AcCl0sky, clutching despairingIy at his
beard, didn't 70 for 10 say anything Of the
kind. Thought that you ''- Never mind,
father" interrupted Jenny nagnanimously,
you misunderstood me: Of course you did,
you couldn't help lt-yOu re MAN" Mr..
EeClosky, sorely crushed. would have vaguely
protested; but his daughter, having relieved
herself, after the manner Of her sex, with a
mental personal application Of an abstract state
menti f0rgaye him with a kiss.
Nevertheless, FOR two or three days after her
return Ar McClosky followed his daughter
about the house with yearning eyes, and occa-
si0Haliy Tith timid, Giiiident feet Sometimes
he came upon her suddenly al her household
tasks, with Al excuse SO pslpably false and a
careless manner 50 outrage0uslg studied, that
she was iain 70 be embarrassed for him. Later,
he took TO rambling about the house at night
and was often seen ngiseIessiy passing aud re-
passing through the hall after She had retired
On one occasion, be was surprised, first BY
sleep. and then by the eariy-rising Jenny. as
lie lay on the rug outside her charnber-door
You treat me ike child, father said Jenny
thought, jimmy" said the father apollo
getcally-"l thought / heard sounds as If you
was takin' on inside, and, listenin. / fell
asleep" j OF dear, old supplemented baby p
sald Jenny. looking past her fathers ewes, and
lifting has grizzled locks one by one with medi-
tatVe fingers; what should I be lakiu on
f0If Look how much taller ] am than you +"
she said, suddenly lifting herself up TO the ex.
IRENE OF her superb figure. Then rubbing his
head rapidly with both hands, as If she were
amounting bis hair with some rare unguent
she p4tted him on the back, and returned to
her roo1n. The result of this and one or two
other equally sympathetic interviews was
- produce q change il Ar. McClos1ys man
Her, which was, II possible, still more dis
composing lie grew unjustifably hilarious
cracked Jokes with the servants, and repeated
10 Jenny humorous stories, with the attitude
o. iaceHousness carefully preserved through.
out the entire narration aud the point nj.
terry Ignored and forgotten. Certain incl
dents reminded him Of funny things. which
invariably turned out 10 have got the slightes
relevancy or application. lie occasionally
brought home with him practical humOrists
with a s4nEaine hope Of setting them going
like the musicb0z. for his daughters edifca
ti0n. lie essayed the singing Of melodies witt
great freedom Of style, and singular Limitation
Of note. lie sang Come Haste to the Wedding
Ae l.asscs and AiaiGeus" OF which he knew :
single line, aud that incorrectly, as being pecu
LARRY apt and appropriate. Yet away from tht
house and his daughters presence. lie was silen
and distraught. His absence Of mind was par
ticulariy noted by his workmen at the Empir,
Quartz Mil. IF the old man don't look on
and wake up, said his foreman, hell he,
them feet Of lis yet under the stamps Whei
lie amt giVin his mind 10 EN-. they i alto
gether too pr0niskuss"
few nights later, Miss Jenny recognize,
her fathers hand Ia a timid tap at the door
She opened il, and he stood before her, with
yaliae IN bis band, equipped rs for journey
take the stage tonight jimmy, dear iron
-Four Forks 70 Frisco. I'LL be back Ia a week
Good by"
Good-by" He still held her hand. Pres
emily be drew her back into the room, CLOSING
the door carefully, and CHANGING around Thor
was a look Of profound cunning in his eye a
he said slowly
D.