The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1893-09-30

repair the ravage. and she was ready
Ito go to church." as she phrased it to
herself. A determined, aggressive fig
ure, dressed in q smart black satin,
wearing q bow of pink ribbon at the
throat 1t seemed as il the incongruity
of her attire struck her at the last
moment, for on the threshold OF her
room she stopped, went back, and
threw a lace shawl around her Shout
ders. Then she made her way to the
front room, just as the noise of clatter-
ing boots and grating chairs was
hushed, and the minister bowed his
head in prayer.
A dozen men made room for her.
Their faces frightened as she entered,
but she did not look at n of them.
Like one walking in sleep she moved.
and never took her eyes from the thin,
meager form of the man who stood in
the impromptu pulpit, pouring out his
soul in prayer.
1t was not until the petition was
| ended, and the oppressed listeners had
relaxed with a sigh, hat she sat down
among the men, where she could see
| without being seen.
The minister then chose a hymn and
lined it out:
IL heard the voice of Jesus say"
He was interrupted by Deputy Bill.
1--WE can't sing that, pard-I mean
parson. Give us something we know"
They compromised on "a land that
| is fairer than day" The parson heard
the sweet treble of a woman's voice,
and wondered much whence it came.
He looked troubled. and the cough that
shook him with its paroxysm brought
out bottles and glasses, but he put
| aside all offers with a shaking hand.
"Hearken to me, my friends" he be-
gan, solemnly, land know that you are
listening to a dying man."
He had not time to the
text, the words of life were lowering
upon his lips, when there rang through
the room a woman's frenzied cry:
"Oh, Jimmy, Jimmy"
"Who spoke, who called me?' asked
the parson. with white lips, clinging to
the table before him.
'Oh. Jimmy, you're o late-and
you're killing yourself, and it's for me,
| and I'm not worth it-I'm-not-worth-
it,
She was making her way to him now,
and as his eyes lit up his ~dcath-palo
features he prayed:
"At last" he murmured, lat last,
and now I'm willing to die. Lord. /
thank-Thee."
His head fell forward. A dozen stall
wart men jumped to his side, but when
he was laid on the nearest bench it
| was Scared Emma" who held his dy-
| ing head on her arm, and it was into
her face he looked when he opened his
eyes for a brief coming back to life.
Don't cry" he said, tenderly. don't
cry, Molly-at least not for me-bu
promise me-quick, I'm going soon
promise me to quit this place-now-
forever"
"Oh, Jimmy, l can't You've seen
| them all-tell me, Jimmie, are they
well-do they ever speak of me"'
Observation-Disclosures and safu
over there, The dear old mother and
the little sister. And | promised them
I'd bring-you and low I'm going
without you"
Don't go, Jimmy, I'll do anything
il you'll only live. I'll change my
ways, and do just US you bid me, eve
to turning my back on friends ~
have been good to mc. But or i"Oe
I'm not worth dying for
for that" - nv
, die in peace if you
80 90 =. You nave no right to
~. Jul. child-it is not yours to
~. as you please, but is bought
va price. Take those off" look.
ng with wide strange eyes at the gem,
n her hands.
She obeyed him In a moment shI
ad stripped every ring from her fingers
nd then he gathered the two poor
,arred hands in his cold ones, and held
to his pale lips .
Saved" he murmured, then he q,
as il in answer t. something he g.,
wv, and a moment later he fell asleep,
nd the woman knceling by his.sido a.,
'verently closed his Eyes, sobbing, bu: .
Dt as one without hope. >
Less than a year ago, and to-day the
met, respectable woman who is post !,
istress in one of our small western !.
has the good will of every .
They can see nothing in com ="
on with her and the terrible woman
Dead Mans Gulch except the SCARED o
lnds from which they receive their y
mail. And they know the hon. II
able history of those scars.-Mrs. NJ l.
Ray ne, in Detroit Free Press.