Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-03-19

| thicE cover again
Twas here that Sir Deakin's strength CAV
out. Almost without warning, he sank dow.
between our hands, and in a second wa
taken with that hateful cough, that once a.
ready this night had frightened me for hi
life.
"Ah, ahl" he groaned, between the spasms
| I'm not film not IL for i'll" and was
taken again, and rolled about barking, 81
that feared the sound would bring all Set
ties gang on our heels. 'Tm not fit for iti'
he repeated, as tle cough left him, and he lay
back helpless among the pine needles.
Now, l understoSd his words to bear on his
unfitness for death, and judged them very
decent and properly spoken; and took occa-
sion to hint this in my attempts to console
| him.
''Thy, bless tine boy n he cried. sitting up
and staring, ''for what I've think I'm IN
suitedF'
''Why, to die, sir-to be sureIn
'Holy Mother!" He regarded me with sur
prise contempt and pity, all together; twas
ever such dunderhead! If ever man were
fit to die, 1 am he-and that's just my reason
able complaint Heart alivel tits unfit to live
am, tied to this absurd bodyln
! suppose my attitude expressed my lack of
comprehension, for he lifted finger and
went on:
'TeI me-can you eat beef and drink beer
AMI enjoy themp
why, yes"
"And fight-heyl and kiss pretty girl,
AMI be glad you've done it! Dear, dear, how
do hate a fool and a FOOLS pityl Lift me
up and carry me a step. This nights work
has killel me; feel it in my lungs. IT'S a
pity, too, for l was just beginning to enjoy
it."
/ lifted him as l woull babe, and off we
set again, my teeth shutting tight on the
pain of my hurt. And presently, coming to
a little dingle about half a mile down the
hillside, well hid with dead bracken and
blackberry bushes, l consulted with the girl
The place was well sheltered from the wind
that rocked the treetops, and feared to go
much farther, for we might come on open
country at any moment and so double our
peril. 1t seemed best, therefore, to lay the
old gentleman snugly in the bottom of this
dingle and wait for day. And with my buff
coat, and heap of dried leaves l made him
fairly easy, reserving my cloak to wrap
about Mistress Delia's fair neck and shout
ders. But against this at first she protested
For how are you to manager she asked.
81 shall tramp up and down, and keep
watch, answered l, strewing a couch for her
beside her father; land It's but fair exchange
for the kercl&ieS you gave me from your own
throat"
At last persuaded her, and she crept close
to her father, and under the edge of the buff
coat for warmth. There was abundance of
dry bracken in the dingle, and with this and
some handfuls of pine needles l covered them
over and left them to find what sleep they
might
For two hours and more after this hobbled
to and fro near them as well as my wound
would allow, looking up at the sky through
the pine tops, and listening to the sobbiug of
the wind. Now and then would swing my
arms for Warmth, and breathe on my fingers,
that were sorely- benumbed; and all the while
kept my ears OH the alert. but heard nothing
Twas, Us | said, something over two hours
after, that l felt a soft, cold touch, and then
another, like kisses on my forehead. | put up
my hand and looked up again at the sky. As
did so the girl gave a long sigh and awoke
from her doze.
''Sure l must have dropped asleep" she
said, opening her eyes and spying my shadow
above her; has aught happened"
'Ay," replied l, something is happening
that will wipe out our traces and my bloody
track"
"And what is thatr'
"Snow! See, It's falling fast"
She bent over and listened to her fathers
breathing
Twill kill him." she said, simply.
pulled some more frondS of the braczen
to cover them both She thanked me and Of
fered to relieve me in my watch, which | re-
fused. And indeed by lying down l should
have caught my death very likely.
The big flakes drifted down between the
pines, till, as the moon paled, the ground
about me was carpete,l ali in white, with the
foliage black as ink above it. Time after
time, as | tramped to and fro, paused to
brush the fresh forming heap from the sleep
ers' coverlet and shake it gently from the
tresses of the girls hair. The old mans face
was covered completely by the buff coat, but
his breathing was calm and regular as any
childs
Day dawned. Awaking Mistress Della, l
asked her to keep watch for time, while l
went off to explore. She crept out from her
bed with a little shiver Of disgust.
"Run about | advised, land keep the
blood stirring"
She nodded; and, looking back, as l strobe
down the NH, saw her moving ABOUT quick
ly, swinging her arms, and only pausing to
wave hand to me for good speed.
Twas an hour before returned, and plenty
[ had to tell Only at the entrance to the
dingle the words failed from off my tongue.
The old gentleman lay as he had lain through
out the night. But the bracken had been
tossed aside, and the girl was kneeling over
him. l drew near, my step not arousing her.
Sir Deakin's face was pale and calm; but on
the snow that had gathered by his head lay a
red streak of blood. Twas from his lungs,
and he was quite dead