Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-01-28

well. yeu needn't think. said MapeS.
that after your marriage you're going
20 ted that story aud make me laugh.
lug stock
~rll neyel speak Of il, whined Timms,
Perhaps yoi won't. said Mapes. but
I'm going 20 swear YOU before | get
through. There's another thing; you
won the woman by your tFickery, and
know its in Won 10 abuse her. 50 TN
| going 10 swear you 20 treat her kindly.
! IN swear, sail Timms.
Hold up your hNnd, said NIapes.
Timms held up l,is hand
Now repeat after me: Il, Silas Timms,
se.smuly swear that viii never bring
4 10 the knowledge 81 any human being
/ that sawed the log whereby Daniel
Mapes fell into the creek aud lost wife;
and. further. that viii, she consenting,
marry Eliza Reed, aud always treat her
kindly, 50 help me God
! Timms repeated the oath verbatim.
Now get up and 20 home, said
Mapes. don't think you'll be married
till your eyes get out Of mourning, and
by that time will be far enough away.
But don't think I'll lose sight Of YOU,
and If you don't keep your oath you'll
see me.
Tinms arose from the ground, shook
off the dust, and walked away when he
had reached safe distance he shouted
back exultingly:
Mapes, she's an angel.
/
In 20 years Daniel Mapes had learned
many things, and among them this:
Life is very much as we make it.
The effect OF this lesson was to make
it appear that the lines, TO him, had
fallen in pleasant places. His rotund
form and firm muscle bespoke a good
| digestion, while cheerful countenance
told of mental peace. A fair woman
named him husband and children called
him father. A beautiful home in the
Santa Clara valley was theirs; besides
which Mapes had many broad acres Of
land, as well as many head of stock run
ming nearly wild in the counties OF
Monterey and San Luis Obispo.
Once in each year the cattle that Craze
on CALIFORNIA; thousand hills are gath
cred in bands at convenient places, 10
be claimed and branded by the owner
--such assemblages being called rodeos.
Mapes had been down across the Sa-
linas plains in attendance upon a rodeo;
and, being on his return, Jogging along
/ on his mustang. he saw far in the dis
tance. but nearing him, an equally lone
| traveller.
Slowly the distance between them de-
creased; and, as they approached.
Mapes - with California prudence -
slipped his revolver upon the belt which
sustained it from his back round TO his
left side, bringing the t't under the
shadow Of his bride ar, aud within
easy reach Of his right hand. A near
look assured Mapes that he had no oc-
casion for weapons; the coming man
was Of middle age, but his look was
worn, weary. detected, aud hopeless
in local phrase, his manner was that of
one who ~has lost his grip;" and those
who have met that terrible misfortune
are never highway robbers, grip" be
ing the very quality wanted in that
hazardous pursuit.
The travellers met with a long, inquir-
ing gaze, when from their lips simulta-
neously burst the words, "Mapes -
Timms. After = moment of surprise
Mapes, squirting his mustang, drew near
Timms.
"So--we meet at last ] have been
waiting To see you this many year.
The movement seemed ominous TO
| Timms, and he cried out
"Don't--don't shoot have no wea-
pons Besides. have kept my oath-st
least as well as could. never told the
reason why you didn't attend the apple
bee, nor ever breathed syllable about
the sawed log to living soul-upon my
solemn oath y
II wasn't thinking Of the ducking, {"
remarked Mapes.
Don't come any nearer returned
Timms. II have always tried TO use that
woman well; but she wouldn't be used
well. have done my best to treat her
kindly, but she won't be treated kindly
- 1t is no use to go over the grounds to
me. Timms.
But, replied Timms, "you have no
idea what that woman is; you wouldn't
blame me il you only knew. She's brow
beat me till amt half a man.
so see, said Mapes.
mo, you don't see, replied Timms.
@You don't see half. Look at this scar
taking off his hat and showing long
seam on his scalp-"that was done with
a skillet.
"You have suffered, said Mapes.
Suffered" returned Timms. you
ought to have sworn her, too IL you
only knew how have thought of you.
and of my oath to you. and how have
borne blows and been quiet = how
have been called brute and fool, and
kept siIent-how have endured taunts
and sneers, hunger and discomforts,
without even a word Of reproach--you
would forgive me you wouldn't harbor
| thoughts of revenge.
Thoughts of revengel replied Mapes.
@Let US dismount and have settlement,
for l see my chance has come at last. {"
Mapes, would you take the life of an
unarmed man.
~Timms, you're crazy. Let me explain.
have no wrongs to ayenge. 1t is not
sor vengeance that have wanted to see
| you. have heard about you often
know all your life and experiences; and
have only wanted to meet you, TO offer
you home and friendship, employment,
| arI 4