The Russellville Democrat., 1889-03-21

came toward the wagon, leading the animals.
 Bill Heffler advanced to meet her.
 "rm yer paw" he said. ''Ain't you jest little glad to see mel"
 There was a quaver in his voice.
 It is wonderful low far eyes, sharp ened by love, will sec through the un- prepossessing covering of outside ap- pearances, and gaze into the heart within. After the first endearments were over, the little girl said:
 T didn't know you, but you knew me, didn't you. papap"
 "Yes; l knowed you plumb from the first, Bill answered.
 Then, as he was hitching up the mules, the child found the remains of the shattered pipe.
 "Oh, you broke your pipe, papam she cried.
 ''Yes," he said; "an' when I broke 1t. broke the chains that bound me to the habits uv my worthless life, an l don't reckon they kin be mended no more than that ole pipe kin.
 Soon the scrawny mules were draw ing the wagon toward distant Comet City, which stood out in clear relief against the red-and-gold glory of the western sky, made bright by the set ting sun. Although the darkness had fallen two hours before. some one saw | Bill Heffler in his search about Comet City for Dr. Pope. The news | quickly spread, and soon crowd was gathered near the wagon in which the sick woman lay. | The return of ''run-out" man was novelty sufficient to attract almost the entire population of Comet City. Weapons were handy, and one thought ful citizen had brought rope. A lit- tie fire had been kindled by the wagon, and 1t became huge blaze when a squad of boys piled quantity of dry wood upon it.
 Bill Hefler's face was pale as he looked from the wagon and saw in the foremost rank of the crowd several members of the committee who had given him five hours in which to place himself beyond the county line. Then, as the crowd came closer to the wagon, he slowly got down on the ground be- fore it
 The little girl followed him. A yell trembled on the lips of the crowd, but Dr. Pope had sprung from the wagon, and placing himself before Bill, he advanced toward the gathering, his right hand raised in gesture that commanded silence.
 Boys" he said, "there's very sick woman in there. A noise might be the death of her. The first man who yells will have to answer to mel" And he looked around at the crowd signif. cantly
 Bill Heffler," some one said, i've want your
 Bill came forward, with the little girl clinging to his hand.
 Before member of the committee could speak, the child's voice rang out:
 You must be very glad to see my papa, to all be here to meet him."
 Bill" said the spokesman, "what does this mean9 Durned if under stand it!''
 There was a tremor in Bills voice. as he answered.:
 This is my child, an in the wagon lies my neglected wife. Six years ago left 'em, thinkin' to make little fortune for em in the West failed to find it; an at last, yieldin' to disap- pointment, I became the nogood you seen me when l first came to Comet City, l never wrote, except at first, an they nearly starved in the little h. diana home. But it spite of it all, they loved an trusted me still, an set out to find me. That's all. except that my wronged wife forgave me before I could ask her to-"
 Then he added, moment later:
 "I know what a fun-out man gifts. the wagon"
 There were tears in his eyes as he kissed the wondering child and sent her back.
 Boys" said Dr. Pope, gravely, "any trouble would kill the sick wo- man. and know you don't want to do that"
 The spokesman turned to the crowd.
 Boys" he said, If the wronged wife kin forgive him, we ort.n
 That's so,n interrupted a dozen voices.
 Then, at the beck of the spokesman. they drew farther away from the fire- light and conferred earnestly together. All seemed to be dropping something into the slouch hat that the spokesman passed among them.
 Then he advanced to where Dr. Pope and Bill Heffler stood.
 Gall the little girlr' he commanded.
 When she came, the contents of the hat-a goodly sum of silver and notes were dumped into her faded calico apron. The spokesman turnod and grasped Bill Hefiier's hand.
 "As long as that woman an child air happy, you air citizen uv this yere city, Colonel Heffier."
 With this sudden promotion. as a mark of hIs complete restoration to citizenship, the crowd turned and shuffled quickly away. Before they gave vent to their feelings, they were so far away that their yells came but faintly to the wagon where the sick woman lay. Then there was silence, followed by more yells.
 And after the yelling had all subsid- ed, the little girl at the old wagon said, proudly:
 They was awful glad to see you, papa, cause they gave you so much money, and cheered about you all the way homo. Tom P. Morgan, in Gold