The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-12
THE MORNING NEWS: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER p. 1892.

more than child herself, so poor and
stricken and bereaved-so terribly alone
and comfort and care for her. he went
and walked Hardy, who came in later.
dressed and quite sober. Jack LETT him
with Agnes, and went himself for the near
est women he thought would be OF any CON-
fort to her.
They buried the baby the next day-s
day of radiant beauty, the sun shining
winds blowing, birds singing, the open
plains smiling Ia the light and warmth and
gladness.
Jack found a woman to stay with AGNES
for time and himself was mostly at the
Canon dugout or the Windmill camp or
away on business.
One day in November he came back from
Panhandle where he had gone TO deliver
some cattle, and, without stopping at head
quarters, went directly to the Canon camp
TO see his foreman, who was there.
There was a letter in his pocket from
Louise that he had got as he came through
Amarillo. It was the unkind letter Of a
weak, selfish nature, which, fretful at feel
ing itself at fault, must blame the heart it
wounds. She wrote that she could never
think Of living in that lonesome horrid
place agatn-she was utterly unsulted to
such life. Certainly, II he cared for her
as he ought, Jack would sell the ranch aud
come east to live, where she could be
happy.
That evening about 6 O'Clock Joe Ellis
rode up and said: "Mr. Beltoa, Mrs. Har-
dy's mighty sick. She got caught out in a
big rain last week and got an awful chill
She had another one afterward and one this
morning, and she's been getting worse ever
since, She wouldn't let us go for doctor
said it wasn't anything much. But this
morning Hardy started In to Amarillo for
one. l reckon he's blind drunk somewheres.
and Pm going Cor Doc Hollis and ask him to
bring his wife. You'll go over to headquar-
ters, won't you2 There's only Jim and
shorty and Buster there. I'll be back quick
as / can get Doc and Mrs. Hollis to come 4"
When Jack got to headquarters the for
lornness Of the picture there pierced his
heart like q knife. There were Jim and
Shorty aud Buster-great, rough, tender
hearted boys. desperately anxious to do
something for her-tramping around in
their boots and spurs, asking her every few
minutes il she wasn't better. to which she
always replied with pitiful little smile and
so, yes, I'm better"
Buster, who was only boy, and a favorite
with Agnes, having often been detailed TO
help her about the house, met Jack with a
great platter OF fried beef in his hatds.
She couldn'b eat the pork, he explained,
so we rounded up q yearling and killed
itn
''You ought to get of those boots and
opoAS osSby 6AAO phC6 Anu Tue pOOE DDyb,
overwhelmed at their criminal neglect i'm
mediately went in search of shoes or slip
pers.
She was lying quite SILL, the pretty pur-
pie eyes wide open, aud little red color
the FAINT futtering flag of the departing
fever-in eroh oheek. There was death in
her face, and the calm--even glsd-oon-
seriousness Of L..
When Jack came TO the door she raised
her eyes TO his face. She said moth
ing but her looks rap forward 20
inset him and welcome him; they
olnag to him and rested upon and oaressed
him. He came in and sat down by her and
took Der one little hand 10 both his. By
and by Butter stepped Ia with awkward
quiOtness and set down a lighted lamp, and
asked her what shs would hAvs-what he
could get for her, and when he turned and
saw the look in her face as she said Moth
ing, Busber-y9u're all very good, but
don't need anything" he cTept out aud said
chokingly to Shorty and Jim: "Boys, she's
dying and nothin' bat lot OF men around.
Ny God, it's tough! Iwish my mother was
herep
AS the time went on she breathed little
heavily, and Jack, with a sob he could not
choke back, raised her softly and laid her
head on bis breast-over Louises letter.
20, no." she said, almost against his
cheek, "do not be sorry. Life had nothing
for me. Since baby Is dead, nothing. And
death can give me this. didn't think TO be
30 happy; TO have you with me at the last
to be let TO die In your arns--op your breast
II cannot be wrong or would not be 80
SORRY" "''s
He smoothed down the soft brown hair
from her forehead aud kissed it, while his
tears fell among the heavy locks. She
drew down the hand and held It a moment
against her lips. then lay quite still, raising
her eyes often to his face, always with that
look of perfect love and happiness aud
peace.
Buster had sat down In the outer room to
be within call. and as one hour wore away
after another Jack could hear his heavy
breathing-he was asleep Shorty and Jim
were on the porch.
She had not looked up for some time.
Jack held his own breath 10 listen for hers.
He felt the slight form slip on his arm and
saw the head droop-it was all over. He
laid her gently down on the pillow, with
the happy, grateful smils yet on her face.
Then he went blindly out, meeting the doc
tor and his wife and replying to their cues
ton with a speeches movement of the
hand toward the inner room.
He stood outside and looked heavily
around at the great sweep of level plain,
asleep under the stars.
''She's out Of It, safe and happy he said,
and remembered his own lot of emptiness
and disappointment 60 be faced somehow.
and the refrain of Agnes little song came TO
him:
The ways of man are narrow,
But the gates of death are wide.