Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1893-01-12

took turns in nursing him as best we
could, trusting that his stro ng con-
stltution and nature would pull him
through all right.
But in his dclirium he commenced
TO talk inccssantly and so one morn
ing. our foreman sent one of the bows
to the nearest postotlicc with a letter
addressed to Mrs. Harry Milford. at
some Eastern town. What it con-
tanned was a secret. Jones, the fore
man, had bccna 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 unevcntful 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.
lhus one night, on our return, we
1ound some strange visitors at the
ranch. Onc,a gray haired, old gentle
man, VINO was mixing some medicines
from pocket case, the other dark
eyed. llttlc woman, who was sitting
beside the SICK man. tcndcrly holding
one OF his wasted hands.
\ "'. ~ i!iS MN SdlCl! through,
father, and lie shall never leave us
again she said as we quietly entered
the building. Evidently the strang-
"Wcll. he is in rather bad shane
No attendance since the fever took took
hold of him. However what human
skill can do, shall be done. lie needs
the closest of nursing
| ',IIn Sh11 hnyn /, ,.,,l;.,, ~.
woman.
lie did indeed receive it. She never
lett his side for days and nights. sleep
ing at times Just where She sat. with
her head resting against the couch.
We checrfully offered our assistance,
put thanking 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 awakc. rcturninga, 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 il would be
~ hi'N'i IVA VIC 10 III Sl!i-
| prlScd by strange visitors But the
time finally came. when Hank could
| sit up.
We were all at the cabin tina, 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 a short
walk. On her returning. they met
face to face. Hank made an awful
effort 10 get up.
You here was all lie said.
And an expression. almost undeiin-
able swept over his face Anger. bit
terncs>. disappointment. all these
were expressed and yet a something
a longing flashed from his ewes.
How came you here, why did YOU
seek me OUT"
ION. Harry. dear heart. could not
let you die alone. knew did Won
wrong. Say you will forgive me. say
you will come home with US. Let no
shadow fall between us hcncetortn."
And whatever had passed between
them in the long ago seemed to melt
into nothing under those pleading.
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 Il week we must start
for home. and you must 20 with us. :"
How Hanks eyes fairly bcamcd.
when he saw the speaker He under
stood 1t all now. His own father.
had come across the plains To aid his
wife in bringing peace again to d once
happy home.
He now recovered rapidly. In a
weeks time he was able 10 be moved
totllc railway.
The old gentleman had acquainted
MS. in the meantime with their story.
quarrel. too much pride a truant
leaving home, Il trnant taken back.
It's not too new Il tale.
About Christmas time we heard
from Hank, in the shape of Il big box
81 useful presents for all the boys.
He was happy again. Thus the lN
Ranch LOST Il good cowboy.
But tllc"wOrld'' regained useful
citizen.
TERRIBLE THAGEDY.
Another Life Lost Through the Medium
of Amateur Theatricui,.