Dodge City times., 1889-08-29

room and pressed the door-latch. A
the door swung open he stepped bac
with an involuntary shudder as tb
snow beat furiously in his face. Thel
at his feet lay the object of his searcl
It was little girl about 2 years ole
shivering from the sudden exposure
but not suffering from cold, as it ha
evidently just been placed at the dool
step. Tenderly he cared for the home
less wanderer.
Morning came, and found the Heaven
calm and serene. All the miners {
Golden Gulchsoon learned of Ralp
Webb's "find."
Days heightened into weeks. an
weeks into months; still no one offere'
any explanation of the child's mystel
ious appearance at the Gulch. n
father could be more tenderly affection
ate than was Ralph to his new charge
whom he, in memory of other and haI
pier days, had christened Lille?
Little Lille soon became the idol o
Ralph's heart, For her he toiled fror
morn till night, and heaped up hoard
of golden dust. You'll be rich som
day, little darling" he said, as, meet
ing her at the door, he clasped her i
his arms and kissed her. Then, puttin'
her down, and murmured, How ik'
the other"
Sometimes the thought that some on
would come and take her from hin
would enter his mind but he would dis
miss it hastily rot caring to harbor
thought SO disagreeable.
Thus three years passed away and al
went well with the hardy miner and hi
little prodige.
Autumn came and with it unusuall,
heavy rains. The little stream tina
flowed by Golden Gulch had becom
a raging torrent, breaking far beyon,
its bounds. Giant trees and drift of al
kinds We're carried down by the ragin!
flood. The miners were gathered il
groups watching the effects of the drift
A dam was being formed by the col
lecting of huge trees and logs. As the,
stood gazing in silence the broken trunl
OF huge redwood come floating down
What was it that caused each eye t.
view it so intently? Surely there WI
a human being clinging to its branches
1t foated by and struck the dam with
force that caused it to crack and swa,
back and forth, threatening t,
give way at every moment.
Its woman, boys" cried old Dai
Brown, the Oldest miner in the settle
ment.
Instantly all was excitement. Severa
absurd and impracticable schemes fo
the rescue were discussed in loud tones
yet not single one seemed worthy 0
being attempted.
Its of no use talking, boys; some on'
of yer's got to swim it" declared Dan
But who dared attempt it? The lif,
of Western miner is as dear to him a
that of an Eastern king in his palace
Some murmured against so dangerous
an undertaking and two or three silently
What is the matter?" asked Ralph
as he joined his comrades, attracted by
their excited voices.
"There's woman out there on a log
of drift, explained Dan, "and no on,
will go after her."
For few moments not word wa!
spoken.
Bring on your rope, boys" called
Ralph, as he began stripping himself t.
the waist for the task. Those who were
not too excited to notice it, perceived
that there was slight tremor in hi
voice, but it was an undertaking a
which the bravest man might tremble
take care of Lille" he called as ht
plunged into the stream, and each ont
who heard him, vowed that, whatever
might be the result, she should nevel
need friend.
With anxious hearts and strainine
eyes they watched the brave man strug
Cling in the current of the stream.
Directly shout of warning arose
from the bank. A heavy log was drift
ing towards the brave swimmer
The warning was not needed
however. for he was making
desperate efforts to get beyond
its reach. Too soon it was upon him
and he dived beneath it. Anxiously
they watched for his reappearance.
Hes done for" was Dams verdict
when do trace of Ralph could be seen
A feeling of sadness settled on every
heart. But no! Far beyond, almost
to the drifting redwood, rose his form
still struggling bravelv, but more
feebly now. A desperate effort and i,
is reached. They saw him falter for a
when he reached the crouching
form, and then fall back, yet no one
guessed the reason why.
1t was the other Lille!
Hastily recovering himself, he clasped
her in his arms. Who could blame him
if he pressed for moment those pale,
cold lips to his?
Carefully, carefully was the rope
drawn in. 1t was plainly evident that
the swimmer was almost exhausted.
Nearer and nearer they come. One
more pull! Strong hands clasp them.
They are safe at last.
As Ralph staggered back senseless
into the friendly arms open to receive
him, all saw the fearful wound in his
head made by the drifting log. Fo,
several days he lay as one dead. But
when at last consciousness returned, he
saw bending over him the loving form
Of her for whom his heart still yearned.
The kindly miners listened with ach.
ing hearts to the story which she had tc
tell. The man whom she had married
proved to be an accomplished penniless
rogue. For two years she endured the
of life with him; then she left
him. Her father, saddened by his
daughters unhappiness, and perhaps
his heart stricken not a little by re.
morse, died shortly after. Ayear passed
by and her husband disappeared. taking
with him their child, little 2-year-old
girl. Ever since that fearful time she
had been searching for her lost child.
She traced her husband to the mines,
and there she lost all track of him, and
heard no more until few days before,
when she was informed by messenger
that he had but few hours to live and
wished to see her Who can doubt that
her desire to see him was not the mo.
live that impelled her out at that ter.
rible time? Attempting to cross a
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