Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-05-18
DORIS AND [.
By JOHN E STAFFORD.
CHAPTER IL

CHAPTER II.
Ineed not dwell on that period. It
hes in my memory more like a hideous
dream than so many weeks and months
of actual life, and, like dream, there
are only portions of it which stand out
from the shadows-adventures, Incl
dents, scraps of scenery, seen in clearer
moments. 1t is enough to say that
came round gradually and began to see
things as they should be seen. But the
hate was all gone, and love alone was
left. Yes, love was left, though badly
nourished, having no hopes with which
to diet it, and got accustomed to think
of Doris as one who was dead and yet
living, and very lovable withal, even as
Beatrice was to Dante.
So a year passed on and left me minus
some thousands of dollars. Ihad found
my way into Colorado and was miner
at one Of the great joint stock claims
which have taken the place of the old
fashioned diggings. The rough work suit
ed my humor, and there was life and 90
in the town and much distraction in the
game Of faro, of which more in its
place. For nine months had not heard
from Canada and had ceased to think of
the place. My father had taken kindly
to his new life, which was all I needed to
know. wished to be and was soli-
tary in the world, though l mixed much
with men, finding more isolation in q
crowd than in lonely places. But was
beginning to be restless again and to
wish for another change, when some
thing happened which had not looked
for, but which makes me always thank
full that played faro that night at
Midas.
1t was nothing more than q quarrel
and whipping out of revolvers, and then
a sudden lane of rough figures looking
on while the two fired from either end.
heard the low thud of the bullet as it
struck Black Jake, and 1 caught him in
my arms as he fell backward with sud-
den limpness and whitening face. l had
only seen him once before, and he had
reused vague recollection which made
me look again at him, wondering what
it was about him that was so familiar.
He had been at one of the far tables, or
perhaps his speech would have given me
the cue. Now as he opened his eyes and
stared up into mine he turned his lips
from the flask and said, "God forgive
us-it's Master Sedleyp
"That's so. Take pull at this and
tell me who you are," said l, surprised
at my own name.
The liquor was Of little use, for his
heart was slowing every moment, but it
brought a flicker to his face and word
or two more to his lips. "Gi'e me yer
ear-closer," he whispered. Bob Hill
ton-Ranston postman-aye, yo' know
me now. They want me-want me for
robbin the bags. Tell 'em death has
got me, an tell young doctor chap as !
hopes to- He Parned me the beginnin
he Your letters-Miss Doris'-I
stopped EN- Els money. Hope no
harm done, sir-I-Christ save His
eyes glazed, tremble went through
him and he slipped off without another
word, leaving me staring at the dyed
whiskers and dissipated features with
ringing ears and thousand thoughts
and feelings all set loose together to
the overwhelming of my wits, which
seemed quite undone.
Long after they had carried him away
and the noise and confusion was spent
I stood leaning on the bar counter star
ing vacantly through the smoke of the
saloon, seeing and hearing nothing, but
conscious of growing fiend within me
and tightening of my teeth as l reck-
oned things up and saw in all its clear
ness the perfdy that had come between
us. The letter-was not that part of
it? Could Doris from her hearts heart
have written such letter at all? It was
a forgery, trick, and had been fool
to be duped by it-nay, villain in very
truth, for had doubted Doris and given
her pain and misery perhaps a thousand
times worse than my own.
Yet the letter was clear enough, said
the ghost of Doubt; it was in her own
characteristic handwriting, said Mem
ory, and there was no forging that, put
in Doubt again,
Then resolution came to me, and
walked out into the open air and breathed
it in with a long inhalation, as men do
at sudden relief or when stirred with
new purposes.
There were evil things in my heart,
but there was one little corner where
hope stirred, as if after long sleep. l
could feel it as looked up to the heav-
ems, where the stars were twinkling
down at me as if they knew a thing or
two, having seen Doris only few hours
agone.
Next morning started for New York,
and in four more days was on the Allan
tic gazing at the last point Of Sandy
Hook as it sank lower and lower, till the
horizon was an unbroken line and Amer
lea nowhere.
/ XII