St. Landry democrat., 1893-08-12

miner into q worrying, surly, miserable
do-nothing, who could see nothing in
the world but one woman, and in whose
mind was room for but a single thought
that he was about to lose her. But men
of intelligence, refinement and wide cx-
perience with women and the world have
had their heads turned in even shorter
time and have done even crazicr things
than he He no longer puzzled himself
over the question of her identity. Was
she in truth Lowry's widow! He did
not know, but neither did he now care.
Had he seen that face before? Possibly,
but if he had it was now a matter of in
difference to him when or where or under
what circumstances. He could not let
her 90 away or if she went he was de-
termined to 90 with her. And so he
stumbled on up the trail, atame with
love and liquor.
1t was hours past bedtime and there
was no light in the window as Jerry
made the turn in the trail that brought
him almost to the cabin door. Suddenly
he collided with an object; he started
back with an oath, and at the same time
he heard an exclamation of surprise.
A man stood before him and in the
bright starlight Jerry could see that it
was Bradford, the gambler. ,Jerrys
hand went to his pistol. "What you
dom here, an at this time O nights"
yelled Jerry, in voice like the explo-
sion of blast.
"You sneaking spy take that" cried
Bradford, suddenly springing forward
and striking him blow in the face that
sent him sprawling. But even as the
blow was struck Jerry thrust his right
hand upward and forward, there was
blaze Of fire and the still night became
alive with the reverberating echoes of
pistol shot.
Headlong down the steep trail, over
Jerry's body fell Bradford, uttering q
single cry-'O, Godw And there he
lay, speeches., motionless, his face prone
in the dust
The shock of the blow and of his fall
and the report of the pistol instantly
cleared away the fumes from Jerry's
brain; but before he could arise he heard
a shrek, the cabin door flew open and a
figure clothed in white came running
down the trail, calling out in tones of
terror: John, John! Oh, what is it!
John, what has happened ~ And thus
calling and running in few seconds Mrs.
Lowry was down the trail stopping over
the two PROSTATE forms sobbing, moan
ing and crying for help.
Jerry, ashamed, half frightened, closed
his eyes and lay quiet. The widow,
shuddering, gave him glance and then
flung herself upon Bradford's body. And
there she lay fondling his bloody face,
mingling her frantic kisses with curses
upon the man who shot him, until at last
she tainted
Jerry was no coward but the unex-
pected meeting, with its tragical result,
had unnerved him he got up and
stcalthily hurried away. Besides, her
words had cut him to the heart. Her
curses, her scorn, her vindictive raging
these be could not stay to face.
Suddenly he stopped and abruptly
flung his hand to his head Like flash
that face and form were again before
him, but in other surroundings than
these.
"Great fumes ~ he exclaimed, as he
gazed blankly up at the stars; cts
Mandie LIE Brunt, the sharpest female in
all Sacramento"
The papers were not made out the
next day. That morning woman,
closely yelled, climbed into the out going
stage at point below the camp; and
that very afternoon another woman,
plainly dressed, with streaks of gray in
her hair and a face that indicated years
of patient toll and sadness and trouble.
was gently assisted from the stage at the
hotel door. And it was Jerry who
helped her to alight.
"Fellers,' he said, as few moments
a dozen or more miners crowded up to
the bar. "Fellers, fac is, women is I'M
certain, but they can't fool us alters.
Here's to tic widder! - San Francisco
EHamines.