Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-28

vulsively, and her eyes sought his with
mute appealing anguish "Yes," he said,
81 know, feel"
His heart bled that he could not take her
more than Q child herself, so poor and
stricken and bersaved--so terribly alone
and comfort and care for her. He went and
walked Hardy, who came in later, dressed
and quite sober. Jack left him with Agnes
and went himself for the nearest woman he
thought would be Of any comfort to her.
They buried the baby the next day-a day
Of radiant beauty, the sun shining, the
wind blowing, birds singing, the open plains
smiling in the light and warmth and glad
ness.
Jack found Q woman to stay with Agnes
for time, and himself was mostly at the
Canon dug-out, or the Windmill camp, OF
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 Q letter in his pocket from
Louise, that he had got as he came through
Amarillo. It was the unkind letter OF q
weak, selfish nature, which, fretful at feel.
ing itself at fault, wrote that she could
never think of living in that lonesome,
horrid place again-she was utterly un-
suited to such life-certainly If he cared
for her as be ought, Jack would sell the
ranch and come back East to live where
she could be happy.
That evening about 6, Joe Ellis rode up
and said; 'Mr. Bolton, Mrs Hardy 8
mighty sick. She got caught out in q 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 60 tor doctor
said it wasn't anything much. But this
morning Hardy started in to Amarillo for
one; I reckon he's blind drunk somewheres;
and I'm going for Doc Hollis and ask him
to bring bis wife. You'll 60 over to head
quarters, won't you? There only Jim and
Shorty and Buster there-I'll be back As
quick as can get Doc and MrA Hollis to
come"
When Jack got to headquarters the for
Iornness of the picture there pierced his
heart like knife. There were Jim and
hearted boys, desperately anxious to do
something for her-tramping around in
their boots and spurs, asking her every few
minutes if she wasn't better, to which she
always replied, with painful little smile
and ooh, yes, I'm better."
Buster, who was only boy and favorite
with Agnes, having often been detailed to
help ner about the house, met Jack with
q great platter of fried beef in his hands
''She couldn't eat the pork" he ex-
planned, $50 We rounded up yearling and
killed itp'
"You ought to get of those boots and
spurs, boys" said Jack. And the poor
bows, overwhelmed at their criminal
neglect, Immediately went in search of
shoes or slippers
She was lying quite still, the pretty pur-
pie eyes wide open, and little red color
the faint, futtering flag of the departing
fever-in each cheek. There was death in
her face, and the calm-even glad-con-
sciousness of it.
When Jack came to the door she raised
her eyes to his face. She said nothing, but
her looks ran forward to meet him and well
come him; they clung to him and rested
upon and caressed him. He came in and
sat down by her and took one little hand in
both his own. By and by Buster stepped
in with awkward quietness and set down q
lighted lamp, and asked her what she would
have-what he could get for her; and when
be turned and saw the look in her face as
she said, Nothing. Buster-you're all very
good; but don't need anything" he crept
out and said chokingly to Shorty and Jim
in the kitchen: "Boys, she's dying! and
nothin' but lot of men around Ny God,
it's toughl wish my mother was herep'
As the time went on she breathed little
heavily, and Jack with sob he could not
choke back, raised her softly and laid her
head ON his breast-over Louise's letter.
80 no." she said, almost against his
cheek, do not be sorry. Lie had nothing
for me. Since baby is dead, nothing. And
death can give me this I didn't think to
be SO happy; to have you with me at the
last; to be let to die in your arms-on your
breast 1t cannot be wrong, or I would not
be so happy"
He smoothed back the soft brown hair
ears fell among the wavy locks She drew
iown the hand and held it moment
against her lips, then lay quite still, raising
ner eyes often to his face, always with that
Iook of perfect love and happiness and
peace.
Buster had sat down in the outer room to
,e within call; and as one hour wore away
,fter another Jack could hear his heavy
was asleep. Shorty and Jim
we're on the porch.
She had not looked up for some time.
Jack held his own breath to listen for hers
He felt the slight form slip on his arm, and
Jaw the head droop-it was all over. He
aid her gently down on the pillow with the
happy, grateful smile yet on her face; then
lie went blindly out, meeting the doctor
Ind his wife and replying to their questions
,nIy with speechless movement of the
hand toward the inner room.
He stood outside and looked heavily
'round at the greet sweep of level plain,
.sleep under the stars
"She's out of it all. safe and happy" he
aid, and remembered his own lot Of empti-
less and disappointment to be faced some
low, and the refrain of Agnes little song
.ame back to him:
The ways of man are narrow,
But the gates Of death are wido.
ALICE MCGOWAN,
Au0uct 1909