The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-01-13

took turns in nursing him as best we
could, trusting that his stro np con-
stltutiOn and nature would pull him
through all right.
But in his delirium he commenced
to talk necessarily and SO one morn
Ing, our foreman sent one of the bows
to the nearest postotfice with letter
addressed to Mrs. Harry Milford, at
some Eastern town. What it con-
| tanned was a secret. Jones, the fore
man, had been a man of the world; he
| knew what he was about. But from
that morning he took upon himself
the task of nursing the sick man.
Our uneventful life continued.
Often it took us miles away from the
cabin. On such occasions we would
simply take some lunch along, return
| ing in time for supper.
/ IhuS one night, on our return, we
found some strange visitors at the
ranch. One,a gray haired, old gentle
man, who was mixing some medicines
from pocket case, the other dark
eyed, little woman, who was sitting
beside the sick man. tenderly holding
one Of his wasted hands.
"Only bring him safely through,
father, and he shall never leave us
again." she said as we quietly entered
the building. Evidently the strang-
ers had not yet noticed our presence.
"Well he is in rather bad shape
No attendance since the fever took
hold Of him. However what human
skill can do, shall be done. He needs
the closest Of nursing"
HE shall have it, replied the
woman.
lie did indeed receive it. She never
lett MS side for days and nights. Sleep
Ing 1t times Just where she sat, with
| her head resting against the couch.
| we cheerfully offered our assistance,
Dutthanking US gently, yet firmly,
she remained at her post, until the
feVer was broken and the patient on
the road to recovery.
Then she asked us to help her, and
carefully avoided Hanks presence,
while he was awake, returning as soon
as he would drop asleep.
1t was evident that there was some
mystery about the case, but we dared
not question the strangers. The only
remark vOuchsafed us, came from the
/ old doctor, who said that it would be
| too much for the patient to be sur
| prised by strange visitors. But the
time finally came, when Hank could
sit up.
We were all at the cabin that day
waiting for dinner, when the climax
came. Hank was seated by the open
door, his eyes, looking wistfully over
the prairies. We had placed him.
there at his own request. He longed
to be out, but failed of strength to do
so.
The lady had been out for short
walk. On her returning, they met
face to face. Hank made an awful
effort to get up.
| You here" was all he said.
And an expression, almost undefin-
able swept over his face. Anger, bit
terness, disappointment, all these
were expressed and yet a something
longing flashed from his eyes.
''How came you here, why did you
seek me out?"
''Oh, Harry, dear heart, could not
let you die alone. | knew | did you
wrong. Say you will forgive me, say
you will come home with us. Let no
shadow fall between US henceforth."
And whatever had passed between
them in the long ago, seemed to melt
.Hco DooA1hS AhSCl OllOSC plcdulllS,
loving eyes.
AYE, Marguerite, how much suffer
ing you could have spared us both.
had you said these words before"
"Well" said the old gentleman.
stepping from the shadow of the
building, from where he had watched
the scene, ''she has said them now
and that's enough. Now to bed
with you. In a week we must start
for home and you must go with u.s."
How Hanks eyes fairly beamed,
when he saw the speaker He under
stood it all now. His own father.
had come across the plains to aid his
wife in bringing peace again to once
happy home.
He now recovered rapidly. In a
weeks time he was able to be moved
to the railway.
The old gentleman had acquainted
us, in the meantime with their story.
A quarrel, too much pride, truant
leaving home, a trnant taken back.
Its not too new tale.
About Christmas time we heard
from Hank, in the shape of big box
OF useful presents tor all the boys.
He was happy again. Thus the YN
Ranch lost d good cowboy.
But the''world" regained a useful