The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1893-11-08


been here." cried Simon in his bitter
wrath. and he tenderly raised the
darling head: then parting the golden
locks aside. he kissed the forehead.
which was white as alabaster She
still breathed, SO he laid her on the
bed and then hastily retreated to the
kitchen and made a fire with the
fagots and discovering the tea caddy.
made her hot and strong bowl OF
tea To this he added some brandy
from his own flask. and after such
coaxing and soothing as a nurse en-
ploys to a sick child, he made her
swallow the refreshing draught- He
was rewarded by seeing a flush pass
ing over her cheek after which deep
sigh choked her utterance for a while.
Yet a few moments and her eyes
slowly opened and Simon, dear Uncle
Simon. kissed them.
Sleep bit my poor dear; l
knowed you was ILL I'm come to see
you comfortably treated"
She put out her hand as if to feel
that her visitor was a reality and no
phantom come to mock her and Simon
took her hand and rubbed it softly
You shall come away with your
uncle. Elsie. and make au old fool OF
him again, if you like. Don't ye mind
crying Gate! gate""
Elsie gathered up her senses and
slowly sat up pressing her forehead
with both hands. = Gate! gate" Yes.
l did cry Gate, gate" And is it really
my dear old Uncle Simon? The Lord
be thanked you are come to comfort
me in my misery. Kiss me, uncle.
once again" and she smiled Gate,
gate" she murmured softly and fall
ing back on the pillow. thin stream
OF crimson welled from her lips. and
Elsie was dead.
The Gate was opened!
November came round again and
the wild winds made eerie music
around the old dollhouse. Poor Simon
grew melancholy in his lonely posi-
ton. and grieved over the sad end of
Elsie. for whom he had fondly hoped a
happy and Joyous career. The cattle
fair with its business and pleasures at
Cardiff. had attracted all the Welsh
farmers. and Kate the blacksmlth's
daughter who had married Richard
within a twelve-month of Elsie's death,
had persuaded Richard to sell what
small stock of cattle they had. with
view to giving up farming altogether.
He only too gladly accepted the idea
and sent off his cattle to the market
| to fetch what they would. while he
followed them a few days afterward in
a gig. But the cattle sold for song. :"
and he became infurlated with him
self and all mankind. Returning
homeward with small remainder of
| the purchase money. he drove down
the hill where stood the old toll-gate.
in reckless manner which his black
mare did not understand and which she
resented by tossing her head and break
ing into a fast trot. Richard cursed
her and 1icked her over the ears with
his whip. The mare sprang forward
with a jerk that nearly threw the
| driver from his seat. Down. down,
| the steep hill she rushed. the gig
swaying from side to side. when Rich
ard suddenly became aware that be-
| yOnd the next curve of the road was
| the toll-gate. that was always shut at
night time and now It was near mid
| night. Good heavens If it were
I
! shut he would be smashed to atoms
before he could pull the mare up. He
! pulled hard on the reins out in vain
He neared the gate, and cried out
with all his might Gate! Gate!' ST.
mon, as usual slumbered at his fire.
side. but in the stiffness of the night
his trained ears caught the summons
and he rubbed his eyes and listened
Again Gate! Cater was called in
a maddened tone and then the sound
OF IL thousand splinters. curses and
| groans. Simon opened his door as
! quickly as he could TO find vehicle
/ IN fragments. plunging hCrse and a
dead man. Elsie was avenged on her
/ murderer.
Tho gate was shut!-Spare Mo-
/ ments