Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-03-31

turned Jne DIO>LIdlC Illoil VA MS size ana
lifted his head upon her hap. He uttered
faint moan us she did SO, and the blood
trickled from IA wound in his head. But
he lay perfectly still, showing no signs
OF returning consciousness.
"Oh, what must do? What can I
do?" cried Fanny in an agonized voice.
glancing appealngly about her, but no
one was in sight. IL must do something
for him. she went on, he will die if |
don't--oh, if father was only here!"
Presently she arose and, drawing the
blanket from beneath the saddle on the
dead horse at her side, she folded it up
and placed it beneath the unconscious
mans head Then she hurried to a
small hole of water in the ravine, short
distance away. Taking off her apron
she wet it, and returning bathed the
mans face and hands.
Presently he opened his eyes and gazed
about him III bewildered manner.
"What has happoned?" he asked in
weak voice, making vain attempt to
arise. "Where are the boys"
your horse fell and has hurt you"
replied Fanny. "What must | do to
help you?"
WHAT You?" he cried, gazing at
the girl in establishment. "You-you
are old Riggsbys girl!'
"You must let me help you anyway"
said Fanny.
For several moments Ropes remained
silent, his gaze fixed upon the girls face.
you know VINO | am, do your he
asked presently.
Eyes; you are Mr.. Ropes"
"And still YOU want to do something
for me?' he asked, speaking with great
effort, and his voice sinking to whisper.
"Yes-yes-Imust go for holp-now.
She rose from his side as if to go.
wait"
He uttered the one word, his voice
dying away in an inaudible whisper.
She seated herself by his side and be-
gan to batho his face and hands with
the wet cloth, Presently he spoke again.
1T amt no Use to go for help,
reckon" he said weakly. Il can't
last long"
A look of pity swept over Fannys
face.
u will go for nay father, and we will
take you to our house. she said gently.
81 will go as quickly as l CAM will De
gone but a little while"
Approaching her horse. which was
cropping the grass near by, she mount
ed and rode swiftly in the direction q
home
1t WAS dark when she returned, bring
ing her father and neighboring claim
holder who mad been passing the inu
when she arrived there.
They found the injured man still con-
| sciOus, but very weak. Placing him
upon the litter which they had hastily
constructed, Uhey carried him to the inn
and placed him upon the couch in the
little parlor.
The doctor was then brought but af,
ter examining the injured man he shook
his head.
81 can do nothing for him." he said to
those gathered about the bed. There
are internal Injuries of fatal character,
and he can last but IA few hours at the
farthest."
Il know it." said the dying man in a
whisper. "Bnt before | go 1 want to
undo some Of the INJURY [ have done
to--to"-
He stopped abruptly, fixing his eyes
upon Mrs. Riggsby.
Then after a moments silence he con-
tinued: Il have letter which | carried
away from here by mistake. 1t belongs
to Mrs. Riggsby there. | was mean
enough to keep it to get revenge, but l
hope you'll forgive MOI
He paused, and then with great eff
fort he drew a letter from his breast
pocket and handed it to Mrs. Riggsby.
ITS the one you lost, Simon" she
said, glancing at the directions.
Eyes" said Mr. Riggsby; that is the
letter."
You see ! broke it open" went on
Ropes, lit was mean trick,
but
Never mind that replied Mrs.
Riggsby. 1--WE freely forgive you. We
all do things that are wrong"
She folded the letter in her hand and
seated herself by the bedside.
A messenger was dispatched to Ben
Ropes ranch house and in an hour re-
turned, accompanied by Bud Ropes and
a half dozen cowboys.
Everything possible was done for the
injured man, but of no avail. 1t was
plain that he was sinking rapidly.
A few Of the settlers had gathered
there, having heard Of the accident, and
now they stood there among those who
short time before had been their bitter
enemies, without one thought Of malice
IN their hearts.
The dying man looked upon the little
group, strange light in his eye,
Presently he spoke to one OF the cow
boys in whisper. Tho cowboy knelt
by his side for a few moments; then ris-
ing and turning to those collected about
the bed he said:
"lle sen he amt got long ter live, an
Tore lie goes he wants us ter promise ter
be friends, know we hain't done jist
1 right, an if the settiersu forgive us fer
what We've dOne'--
"Willln2ly-willingly," said Simon
RiGgsby, stepping forward ana taking
the cowboys hand. "Wove all been
ter blame; but let US fergit tho past an
bo friends