Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1891-09-18

usH1uO rou Iur rIme, Iur o2yngnL IN
which to save the one he had lost.
Suddenly he leaped up and looked
narrowly across the vast expanse moth
ing Wa there save the ever-changing
belts Of light and shade as the heecy
clouds blew over, and with a piteous
CRY he sprang to the oars and drove the
heavy boat onward. Oh, if he could
but reach his father ere the sun ceased
TO brighten distant objects on the water!
He pulled with every muscle strained
himself turn sick with labor, and fell
upon his knees and dashed his face and
.head with water. He was dripping with
sweat and his heart was Auttermg from
long and violent action. He thrust his
hot arms in the water to the shoulders
- he hung over the side Of the boat, and
his dizziness passed. Then he leaped mp
again and pulled feverishly forward.
The first great surging sense Of crime
and pollution never lifted itself from
his spirit for moment. A desdly ex-
haustion began to creep upon him, but
hs could not rest; the boat kept leapdn9
outward, and over all the face Of the
deep there was no sound save the oars
working in the locks, his lsboring
breath, and the low slap and gurgle Of
the water under the advancing PROV.
At last the sun began to 60 down,
and he rose in the boat and strained his
eyes again across the waters. But
nothing was visible, and he sank down,
IA
sky seemed to turn round above him,
and the ocean seemed to shift from side
10 side. He was pitiable picture as he
mt there, clutching the boat In his dizzi-
ness. His hat was gone, one arm WA
bare to the shoulder where his shirt had
been torn away in his struggle with his
father, his face was streaked with
blood and his hair hung about his throb-
bing temples in sweat dampened
strands. His tongue was like dust in
his mouth, and his throat seemed parch-
ing. Oh! for a cup of water from the
spring on Beaver head! But what right
had he to ask for water? He, muir
derer, searching for innocence! He
caught the oars and sent the little craft
desperately onward. Presently he stood
up and looked abroad again. Half the
sun was in the sea, and great road of
gold ran from his boat into the very
heart of it. Suddenly, as he gazed,
moving dot entered the golden way,
and began drifting into the sun. A
piercing cry of joy leaped from the boys
Hps. He seized the oars and the boat
dew onward. He was far to the south
Of his father, and miles and miles Of
water lay between them; but that one
glimpse was more refreshing than days
Of rest and bealkers Of wine. Oh! Il
God would but stay the sunset, would
but keep the day alive another hour!
But even while hs prayed the Light b.
gan to wane. shadows rose out Of the sea
and huddled together here and there,
the 6lmy runners of the night came
over the ocean from the east, the west
ward moving darkness rolled slowly
over him. and he was alone with the
stars upon the wide, mysterious main
Cries of despair broke from his lips at
lAst, . sickening faintness fell upon
him, and his swollen hands dropped
limp from the oars Heaven was
against him. He was q murderer!
murderer alone with his heart upon the
taunting, spectral deep.
Slowly, the night wore on, every mo-
mont q thorn pressed deep into his heart
By remorse and fear. And what would
to gray dawn bring? Would it bring
Ids innocence back to him? or only the
AoFning's fare upon the empty, beau
toous waste? At last his head began to
fau from side to side; at times he seemed
Ylbching from the boat, and ere long the
s6axs looked down pityingly into his
1ptuned face, as, asleep in the stern,
WIN ono swollen hand upon the helm