The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1891-09-04

you 40 cross the tracks above the stns
ton aiid get on where no one will see
you. II decide 20 20 shall leave the
house NJ the last moment and shall
reach the train as you do away from
the station. After the train starts you
can look for me; II you lind me we will
be married tomorrow In Helena Ill
am not there--weli. you must forget
me in the love Of some other woman
you must forget that there Is q
Drummond or . Last Chance;' but 4
you should sometimes remember me
want you 20 think Of me not a. Briggs
girl but Is woman Who did what
her God directed her. And then she
kissed him and went up into her own
room.
The Pilgrim walked ont into the bar
room. There was IN unpleasant odor
Of bad tobacco. and the big iron and
clay stove in the corner was fairly
ab!aze. Notwithstanding this the men
were fairly crowding each other 70 get
little nearer the fire. On the opposite
side of the room game Of faro was
going on. Old Briggs was dealing. but
judging from his face the cards were
not running - they should-that Is not
from Briggs standpoint The Pilgrim
spoke TO several Of the men, and then.
going over 70 the card-table. being
careful to attract the attention Of
the dealer. put a dollar on the high card
lost il, and then turned and walked
out On the porch he lighted a cigar,
and waited until he should see the en-
CINE as il turned the curve some two
miles above.
II was half an hour after train time
when he saw the headlight. He jumped
quickly to his feet. ran across the road
and waited short distance above the
station where he knew he could not be
seen.
| Alone in her room, the girl had passed
through the great struggle OF her life;
but as the tune wore on the struggle
became less, and when. finally, she
heard the shrill whistle Of the engine
in the distance, she hurriedly picked up
the satchel containing all she was 70
take with her and stole stealthily down
stairs
The noise had been SO great all that
night in the house. that had not the
door leading into the barroom been
standing open at the time she would
probably never have known of the
great unpleasantness that took place
that night between the host and the
guests OF the Last Chance" But as
she reached the lower hallway the
voices inside were raised to such Q
pitch that she stopped for moment r
glance in at the open doorway. Fol-
one brought up in and about western
barroom the scene needed no explana
ton. On the side of the room Opposite
the door she saw q great crowd of half
drunken, angry. cursing miners ant
COW boys Some of them had picked al
pieces of furniture and bottles, ans
against their dark clothes she saw tina
some Of them held knives and revolvers
In the center of the room was an up
turned faro table with the cards an
chips scattered on the sandy door.
Within 4 few feet Of her and grad
ually backing toward the wall was oil
Briggs In one hand he clasped . rol
: OF bank notes with some gold coin
} with the other he was trying TO pull
; revolver from his breeches pocket
l The girl walked quickly to her father
: side and, putting her arm about hin
E she took his empty hand in hers An
{ thus for q. few moments the old ma
? and the girl stood facing the ugly
angry. muttering crowd Of gamblers
The silence was first broken by III
! girl. whats the matter. dad?" sh
. said. very quietly.
Fl The old man gazed at her wildly
: mumbled something to himself an
! drew her hack against the wall.
Il Its no place for you. Bess," bega
e one OF the crowd. Your dads bee
cheating; we've got him dead to righ
! this time and we're goin' 70 do for hin
s sure"
Now. dad" she said. speak Vi
e speak up"
E But the old man stared at her "
E cantly and went on blinking his pinl
E watery eyes and shrank further out
her embrace. The girl hcsitated for
' moment, and then with sudden NOV
ment snatchcd the money from the o
r mana hand. and running to the do
L threw Il far into the road. In . m
q ment the room was empty and the mi
a were Nghting like SO many hung
l. coyotes in the dusty road.
d As the last man crossed the thresho
r old Briggs reused himself suddenl
> and rushing TO where his girl sto'
'e slammed both the doors, and lockiI
n them put the keys in his pocket Tn
l. he staggered to the bar and began
r pour out q tumblerful Of whisky. II
K girl started to 60 to him 70 ST
m him, but before she had half cross
y the floor the slow tolling Of
bell and then a sharp, shrill whist
n rang in her ears With cry she r
:, to the door. but il was locked. 3
Re tried TO force IL open, but her 20
& strength was Of little use. With
II bound she was At the old mans SIC
e. .sGive me the key!' she shrieks
,e don't you understand, the key y
ae the old man only stared at her vacal
70 " and showed his hands deep in I
Ell pocket where he had put the keys as
re in fear she would tear them away frs
I'd him.
II ..What would you do with the key
"a he said. s.Let them in again TO sht
ia me? For Heavens sake, girl, you
~. onlv one that'll stand by me. DO