The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-04-29

nurses restraining mana anu ran Je
the bedside.
at smells nasty here, Papa" he
said clambering up. "Why's mamma
cryin'2 Didn't Santa Claus bring her
anything" Impressed by the silence,
his eyes grew big with sudden idea,
Didn't Santa Claus come at all?" he
said with quivering lips. Didn't
anything come in the night"
At the recollection OF what had
come in the night the mothers form
trembled convulsively. HOLSTER stop
ped his little son, with warning gest-
ure, and faint smile, go, my son"
he whispered "to the play room, and
see if Santa Claus has forgotten a
good boy. Stopl Kiss father first;
and Robbie remembered this. He
looked impressively into the face OF
his son. BE good; try always for
that" Smiling at the childs haste to
be gone, he kissed him again, motioned
the nurse to bring the lively baby to
his last embrace, then firmly signed
them from the room. AS they
went without one backward glance
their mothers heart hardened to them
for an instant. HOLSTER saw this in
her face. "Let them beglad while they
can, dear" he whispered.
The doctor spoke. "You are exerting
yourself too much, HOLSTER"
"What can it matter now" replied
the sick man with patient gentleness.
But you, doctors, will be obeyed till
the last"
ut does matter my dearfellow, Mrs.
HOLSTER, / want your husband
to save his strength. Will you not
leave him to me for O timer"
She sprang to her feet. ooh, Doc
tori Doctorl You have hope?" she
cried. The two men exchanged galnces
OF pity. She paused, then bent her
head in acceptance OF the Doctors
silence. Then why should leave
him?"
"WiIl you not do so for few mo.
ments?"
"a few moments? Now" A change,
grey veil creeping up HOLSTERS face
emphasized her words. "What can
you be going to do?"
The doctor too saw there was no
time to lose. He felt the patients
pulse and gave him q reviving drink.
"Scofeld wants to speak to him." he
said rapidly.
"He can do soin my presence" The
doctor hesitated. "You are hiding
something from me-" At her feversh
vehemence HOLSTER Enclosed his eyes
and took her hand. She kissed his,
holding it in both her own.
"Tel her" the husband whispered
to his friend. The latter obeyed him.
"Scofeld has n man who he
thinks"
The wife sprang up as il q bullet had
struck her. ut is the man who shot
my husband" she cried.
ut is man who may have been one
OF the gang"
Bring him; bring him qu'-k. Don't
lose q moment. Joe can IDENTIFY the
wretch, can't you, my darling? Oh,
hurry; hurry' She made rs if to
push the doctor from the room.
HOLSTER too was energized by the
news. The grey veil slipped away
from the mouth and chin. A COM
manding gesture stopped both wife
and doctor. Clearly, his low voice
said:
'Do not bring him here"
Dismayed, the wife CALCULATED:
only dearest oneI You are able.
For my sake, try. The wretch must
not escape. He shall not. She step
ped towards the door, an eager mes
senger of Fate.
"Katel Come here" She flew to
him. He laid his chill hand again
hers.
81 wish to die at peace with all the
world, he said.
"Nol mol Do not sacrifice me.
When you are gone my only comfort
will be in-Sobs choked her throat.
"In revenge, dear lover" he questioned,
"In justice. OH Call it what you
will but send for him. You are not
fit to Judge now" She felt the deep
reproach, the pain OF his look, "Hus-
band, forgive me, but send for him.
Could | breathe with your murderer
at large? Send quickly" She en-
circled the sick man with her glowing
arms, She pillowed his head upon
the loved fragrance of her breast.
Large with entreaty lustrous with de-
termination, her eyes fastened upon
his to draw consent from them.
All her rich beauty came about the
dying man. She pressed him closer.
The husband to whom her wishes had
been q delight yielded now, at the
repetition OF the formula OF her will.
He gave q sign of assent. The doctor
left the room. A few moments were
consecrated to their love and grief.
Then quick steps were heard in the
hall. The wife erect, listening, watch
ing the door as If to snatch something
from it, forgot him who observed her
with plying pardoning gaze.
Hogan, entering between two con.
stables, met the blazing passion OF
her face and dropped his hardened
eyes.
at is the man. know it," she ex-
claimed She advanced one step, as if
to tear him from his keepers, to
thrust him beneath the eye oil his &C.
cuser.
Can you swear to him, MADAME"
asked Scofeld.
mo. hardly saw him as he ran
down stairs. But Mr.. HOLSTER will
know. Doctor, raise all the blinds.