The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1890-01-10

l btANs blJl ID hANAS dMdAJ anu Cdu
leave him."
Then another rustic, another step, anC
there were two women very near him
so that he could almost hear them breathe
''I'm so glad you came to-day, Ada,
said the other, ''when l am all alone.
Charles was called away so Unexpectedly
this morningl I declare the thought OF
that accident makes me i'll, and l am nerv.
GUS all alone in the house at night, dear.
Besides being always glad to see you,
anu so thankful to have you to-nighti'
"And I am never nervous. Jessie, - said
the other. II am as good as man
about the house, mamma says. I've
hunted imaginary burglars with a poker
many night Mamma is always imagin-
ing burglars, dear soul"
don speak of them said the ma
tron, who was evidently quoting her child,
as only mother can. "This house would
be more of temptation to them tonight
than it has ever been before since we lived
here. There are two thousand pounds in
that safe, Ada. Charlie hadn't time to
deposit it in the bank They telegraphed
that Mr.. Bird might be dying"
As she made this confession, the man,
concealed so near her, listened with his
very heart in his ears; but it was not to
the statement so well calculated to re-
joiee burglars heart. That was for
gotten. He heard only the voices and
the names these two women called each
other by. Adal That had been the name
of the girl he loved. Jessiel That was
his sisters name After all, what was it
to him? Like his brother, the latter had
cast him off, of course, and no doubt
Ada only remembered him with horror.
Still, how like the voices were Could
it be? He stole forward, and knelt down
with an eye to the keyhole, but he could
only see part Of womaa's figure sway
ing to and fro, as she rocked her infant
on her bosom.
''Dear little fellowl" said the voice of
the other woman. ''How sweet babies
are!'
She came forward now and knelt
down, and he saw her profile 1t was
Ada Musgrove-for he had left her a
girl of sixteen. and found her a woman
of twenty-six, but handsomer than ever.
ssYou love children SO that wonder
you don't marry" said the matron; and
now James Graham knew that it was his
sister who spoke. ~ know William
wants you to have him. He always has
loved you. And, Ada, he can give you
all that makes life happy"
James Graham's cheeks flushed in the
darkness. He hated the world more
than ever now. BE hated his kinsfolk-
this cruel brother and sister of his most
of ALL
'sHe cannot give me the one thing
necessary for welded happiness-love for
him. said Ada. mo, Jessie; 1 have
sand this to you before, but must say
1t now. l loved poor James too we'll ever
to love any other man while know he
lives
''Ah, Ada" cried Jessie, STOPPING
over, sit is a comfort to me to know you
still love my poor brother. 1 thought I
was the only living being who still loved
him"
And then James Graham, listening on
the other side of the door, heard these
two women weeping together, and for
him.
ssYes, Ada" said his sister; and
though poor James is so sadly disgraced,
still when he returns viii be glad to see
him, and this shall be his home if he
viii, and my husband will help him to
win back the place among good men that
he lost so long ago. William is cruel to
him, but then we women are softer.
When he is free again l trust he will
come straight to US. Ifear William would
hurt him by some reproachful speech. He
will be free very soon, Ada"
The man who had stolen into the
house to rob 1.-THE man of whom they
spoke could bear no more; his heart was
softened asst had not been since he was
little child. 1t was as if the angels had
spoken to him.
Then he remembered why hewas there;
and kneeling and kissing the door that
lay between him and those dear women
who had saved him from desperation, he
crept away, and finding his way to the
window which he had entered hedeparted
as he had come, yowing to lead an honest
life, and sometime-perhaps when he
was dyiag-tos see those two dear creatures |
once again. At least, always the mem
orv Of their looks and words would keep
his heart tender and life pure, lonely as
might be his lot.
With these thoughts in his mind he
stood on the ground, and remembered
with pang who would arrive soon and
what their GRAND would be; and that,
while he scorned to betray them, he must |
stand between them on their purpose,
and save his sisters home, perhaps her
life, from their hands.
He felt in his bosom for his pistol. He
would not use it until the last, but he
must stand between those women and all |
harm.
He knew well enough the unforeiving
ferocity of those with whom he had to |
deal, and he muttered little prayer for
first he had breathed for many
l year-as he heard soft footsteps ap-
''He is opening his eyes," said aivoice
James Graham heard it and wondered |
what had happened and why he could |
not turn himself and who spoke.
Then came the remembrance of a
quarrel, a conflict, and the report of a
pistol. He knew all now. His fellow
burglars had shot him and left him for
lead. But where was he now2
ada, dear, said the voice, 81 think
ne is opening his eyes.
Then they did open, and James Ora
nam saw two women bending over him.
''James,n said one, '.do you know
sister Jessie?"
The other only burst into tears.
''Yes, l know you both" said he,
-aintly. GLOW aid I come herel l am
20 full Of wonder. How did you know
ne2"
''We found you wounded-dead, we
our gate, said Jessie. at
vas Ada knew you first"
L. I