The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-19

Your rights" began Jere Harnar
| in his harsh stern voice. l saw that
Nellie Hartman had slipped out TO he'
fathers side and laid her hand plead
| inglv on his shoulder. She did not fear
| the angry men, for willingly not one OF
them would have harmed i hair of hel
dainty head. l saw that she would have
pleaded with her father to be gentle
with them.
Yes, our rights" yelled voice IN
the crowd, with an awful oath. bic
was drunken or blind with re ge-surely
he did not see the girl at her father
side. 4 stone whizzed through the air.
1t might have been Jere Hartman, 5
death blow; instead. it struck her. It
cut great, cruel cash just above the
temple.
They sprang toward her-her friends
her lover-but Nellie Hartman put hel
two hands out to me with il sharp gasp
ing cry.
Jack, Jack." she said, and I caught
her in my arms.
have lived over the agony, the JOY
of that moment. all through the long
lonely hours of this night.
1t was Big John himself who brought
the doctor and cried like child wher
they told him she was dying His little
crinpled child she had loved and cared
for, and it had died in her arms. Aye
and that harm should have come to her
who was more good and innocent OF
wrong than the angels!'' muttered Big
John, brolzenly, as he went away soften
ed ard sOrrowful.
Jere Hartman sent me out to tell the
men that he had yielded, and in the
silence of death they went away.
The strike is over.
As I sit here in the gray dawn, wait
ing, fearing, dreading the coming OF
the morning and the news it may bring
| hear the chatter OF horses hoofs. It IS
a servant from the Hall riding to the
village on some errand.
What news?" cali out hoarsely, and
learn that the worst is over and that
she will live.
Nellie Hartman lowered between life
and death for long weeks, and worked
as ! had never worked before. Jere
Hartman left much of the management
of the mill in my hands, and | put
heart and brain in the work or | should
have gone mad in those weeks with the
longing to see her face. When she was
well again ! spent many evenings at
the Hall. talking business with her
father, who came seldom to the office
in those days. He had broken in health
with the recent troubles and had lost
energy, but he was gentler and kinder
than Of old.
Harry Desmond was always there. |
was but dull guest. | could not en-
dure his observation-disclosures. the triumph
in his eyes, the happiness in his laugh.
l could not endure that he should call
her by name or smile on her.
was mad fool.
I told Jere Hartman that I must go
away; that must have rest, change-a
vacation. Gordon, the young foreman,
could take my place, | urged, and he
consented, though grudgingly.
The last evening promised him to
spend at the hall and go over the ac-
counts with him.
Never had Nellie been brighter or
gayer. l felt vague pang that my
going was so little u her.
1t was carly when Desmond left. and
l Immediately rose to 60. Jere Har-
man grasped my hand cordially in fare
well. and Nellie said simply Good
by." and | went down the path slowly
and sadly.
Suddenly 1 heard light, flying step
behind me as reached the shadow Of
the trees.
II was Nellie.
Istepped back in the darkness. She
stopped, as if listening, and then came
toward me.
Il thought / should overtske you, 3"
she whispered, slipping her arm through
mine Did you think l could let you
90 away tonight without a last
word?" There was something in her
voice tenderness, that explained all.
She had come out 20 meet her lover,
Desmond, and mistaken me for him in
the darkness But 70 have her so near
was very sweet. She seemed not 70
care TOT speech. one " Fti DILL
just clasPing my arm and leaning ever
50 gently against my shoulder The
temptation was great was going
avav-just to take away with me the
memory of moments heaveni
kissed her.
Forgive me" pleaded, desperately
''You thought me your lover, Desmond,
and was cruel. mad, TO take that kiss
Nellie, forgive me.
Blu. ! kissed you, Jack, she wills
pcred- And you won't go--9h, JACK.
you went 20 when love you So"
Jack spencer, gray-haired and forty,
commonplace and poor-shc loved him.
That Is my romance NJ a Wors-
wick, in Frank Le>iic's Weekly
just She Words for It
3 4. =