Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-07-05

"7--a"-- 1t. MA4-M=
. HE ExCAvATED WITH vIGoR.
sionally he went several rods away and
breathed. when earth began to cover its
own his task became easier. He finished
it, tramped back across tn. field with the
spade, and they resumed their ride.
An expression of intensity came out on
Judith's face. The Colonel showed quiet
smile, but he kept an alert and frightened
eye upon her.
Without much talk thus they rode on to
Newark.
The procession was already moving in
the principal streets; u gorgeous pageant
full of banners, flower garlanded carriages,
brass bands, the sweet faces of children
and the gray heads of honored old men. Be-
hind this array came molly gang of human
ag-bags, masked and playing pranks,
mounted on lean nags.
Small boys exploded fire crackers on the
pavements. Cannons doomed as they had
been booming since daybreak The crash
and extravaganza of typical Independence
Day stirred all of Judith's blood with de-
light.
''Go and take that old woman to a safe
seat" said the girl, suddenly. She will
get hurt
The old woman indicated was a profess
sional beggar, who had chosen the curb as
her best vantage ground.
The Colonel beckoned to a colored man
and paid him silver to stand at his horses
heads. Then he went to the old woman,
and with her formed the center of a dense
crowd which thronged close to hear him
argue with her. She was deaf, blind, dumb
and palsied by turns. She was lame, she
was liable to fall in a fit A five-dollar note
would not move her to any other seat, but
when his bid reached ten dollars she let
y hn,. md hob Or,h ico v-Tr1f 10
chair within barber's shop, where he
gave her an additional five dollar piece and
paid the barber to let her stay, lest she
should return to her perch and his task
would have to be repeated.
Part of the crowd took him for a tender
minded philanthropist. and gave him advice
as to where he might soak his head. Others
inquired if she was his lOng-lOst mother,
and a lot of boys clamored after him for
fire-crackers, promising to move in any
direction he indicated.
Without word he returned to his car
riage. He had just taken up the reins
when cries arose from the procession; with
lightning swiftness space opened for
frantic horse, and it few, dragging the
rider by the stirrup
20 catch that horse?" screamed Judith.
She would have given her life to take the
words back as the Colonel sprang from her
side. She wrung her hands and covered
down upon the floor of the carriage, seeing
him tossed and dragged at the bride She
Ahid her face and prayed alone as people in
stinctively do in utter helplessnesS. The
thuds and the raging clatter ceased; an al
ready excited multitude shouted, and she
raised her face to see the Colonel stepping
up beside her. He was covered with dust;
one coat sleeve was torn of. He had
bruise, above his eye.
There's your horse,' he said, fitting his
head toward the run away. Plenty of men
now held and soothed it, and stretcher
was already provided for its injured rider.
He was to be taken to the hospital
Judith set quite still beside the Colonel
as he turned his horses away from the pro.
cessio1.
"Well, that's three, " Tailed the Colonel,
"Only one more"
"And Pm going to ask that now"
"Let a fellow BREATHE suggested thu
Colonel, land get himself repaired. Thu
business houses are all closed. can't even
get a coat. So we most hunt for dinner in
some inconspicuous spot.''
81 won't let you breathe twice till ask
the last thing" said Judith. 81 love vow
| n ow with all my might. I love you for pa
thence. 1 love you for gentleness. love
you for heroism. Ny heart will burst,
love you sol"
''This is hard" murmured the Colonel,
"when can't even kiss your hand before
this crowd"
Never mind. My soul is on it's knees
kissing yoNr hands. And we have the
years"
"Yes, we have the yearsr
but the last thing shall ask will be
hardest of all. And it is mover to mention
these tasks that set you again"
"Why, that's no task a. all"
81 think, may be, it might be in the long
rum" said Judith, sagely, "for some
men, but not for you. will remember
them. will remember them as four great
| labors."
"Of the wild buffalo," said the laughing
Colonel.
Then. having turned into q deserted
street. he bent over and received her kiss