, 1889-02-21

L
at his rough, brawny hand, and then at
the white forehead on the pillow. "And
there amt woman's hand In the camp to
fix things easy for him. I'd give the hull
bizness IL he was only out of this muss."
But before two hours had elapsed there
was doctor from Colorado Springs bend.
ing over the sick man, and by the bedside
sat a pale, slender girl, watching with In.
tense interest every motion and word of
little hands holding his She came
with the doctor. Bill stood inside
the door, and looked like bashful school,
boy in the presence Of this stranger. who
seemed to be taking his place and caring
for Rivers when he ought to be doing so.
But he asked no questions, and waited for
the doctors answer.
Just keep the camp quiet, Bill, and
Miss Lancaster will give the medicine and
zee to the rest He is worn out with ex.
citement, and little. quiet. with good
fever is no better in SIX hours let me
know" And that was all the explanation
Bill got from the doctor.
Was she a professional nursep Bill
guessed so. And he thought how nico 1T
would be IT he could be sick when Rivers
got well.
The camp was still--Bill had ordered it
so-and every man asked how the tender.
foot" was. and about the gal"
dunno" was all the answer they got
to the latter question, and Bill told all he
knew when he said that.
Rivers was in serious condition, and
before the six hours we're up horseman
dashed out of camp after doctor. IL was
Ute Bill. He could not stand by and ace
him toss back and forth in bed, 1t was
too much. He wasn't used to It, The
doctor had to make another trip--Bill said
Rivers was worse.
When the doctor had made an examina.
ton of his patient he declared the worst
etly under q gentle narcotic.
All this time the girl had not release
her watch by the bedside, and she seemed
to be soothing away the delirium of the
fever in gently passing her hands over the
sick mans temples. Her eyes never left
of their watch Of every movement OF the
''tenderfoot's" face, ,and Bill stood by won.
deringly, casting o furtive glance at the
delicately featured face bending over his
pard's pillow, and trying to solve the
problem in his mind:
Hours passed, and finally, with long
sigh, Rivers opened his eyes and looked at
Bill leaning over the foot Of the bed.
Then his wandering attention was fixed
on the anxious face by his side. There
was no glad cry Of recognition-it vas .
mutual understanding. All the warmth
tly whispered name "Lilian," as he drew
her face to his. Resting her head on his
shoulders she told him of the long years
Of waiting for tidings from him and the
hasty letter from Omaha, which she had
left home, friends, everything, and gone
TO aeek him in the wild west. she knew
not where, but she had found him. Aud
Bill had disappeared.
A few days afterward one of the
"pards" gave up his claim TO the little
cabin, and the minister said the ceremony
which linked Two lives into world of
their own.
Many aud hearty were the rough con-
gratulstions. That evening the miners
gathered at the little home to say word
Of welcome to the beautiful young bride.
Even il it were spoken by big rowdy
miner like Bill, there was genuine ring
of manliness about 1t and made her feel
o, far from every sign of civilization. As
the men fled out slowly Rivers conducted
his girl.wife to the porch of the cabin,
and, standing close by his side, she sang
one verse OF "Home, Sweet HON" The
tender, sympathetic voice fell on the still
night air with wonderful sweetness, and
awakened many old memories in the hearts
of the rough, coarse miners gathered there.
Heads were uncovered and there were
tears wiped hastily away as Bill led them
to the saloon. Was there rough talking
and coarse jests nowp No. AS each man
raised his glass solemn hush fell upon
the group. broken at last by Ute Bills
voice. Ii was choked and unnatural.
"Boys," he said, II never had but one
pard, but give him up to the best pard
man ever got. And IN never hev another
till I get one like his"
Bill set his glass down and walked away
abruptly. 1t was not long until the saloon
was deserted and the camp hushed 10 the
repose of night.
After that Bill did not seem like his old
self. He was quiet and solemn. He knew
what was the matter, but did not care to
let the boys know where the sunshine had
fallen on his rough heart and then so sud.
denly been swept away.
The next spring came, and the doctor
made another trip to the little cabin.
When Ute Bill woke mp the next day
Rivers led him into the dainty bedroom
and gave him peep at the tiny baby girl
that came that night. The big rough
hand closed tightly over the one OF u more
delicate mold that was laid in his, aud
the two men understood each other. There
we're tears in Bills eyes and an ache in bis
heart which no one but Rivera should
ever know as be turned silently away.
The miners gathered again IN the 50.
loon to drink to the health of the mother
and child, and hear Bill. now glowing
with animation, tell about the baby and
its queer ways until they all wanted 10 zee
the youngster vote was taken, and the
camp was to be christened sftDr the baby
m Al l. A. k,s-
Away he went and soon returned. Ht
lnnkad ali ~ al ah and finally came forward