The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-02-15

one VI tho outlaws fell dead.
Larkins and hurried forward TO pro-
vent the riders escape, but as we lifted
the saddle, by which the rider had been
pinioned TO tho ground. the long cloak
and broad sombrero fell back. disclosing
the fact that our captive was woman.
At this moment one of the men came
galloping back with the news that Buck
had been shot. This of course put IN
end to the pursuit. and we hurried baci.
10 the ranch with the wounded man.
O'Flaherty aud took charge of him,
while Harper was left In the outer room
10 guard the prisoner. From the first IT
was evident TINT Bucks wounds were
fatal He was conscious. however, though
his mind seemed to wonder ut times
81 reckon I'm goin shore" he said
feebly. II never was half decent; |
never knowcd how; but, Jim" with
pitiful, pleading look, 'if you see Mrs.
Buck Upper, wisht you'd tell her
that tried"
thought that the experience of these
months had elTectually hardened me, but
this was too much, and on the pretenso
Of wishing 10 relieve Harper ! left the
room
II was not until | was alone with the
woman that | looked Mt her Then was
transiixed with astonishment AS she
sat there, the lamplight falling on her
cold. rigid face, IL needed no second
glance to convince me that she was the
original Of Bucks picture.
This then was the angel Of purity at
whose shrine the poor fellow had been
worshipingl
My first thought was he must never
know And yet reflected how much it
would mean to him to but see her face
Going over to where she sat I hurriedly
told her the whole story.
"And you want me TO go 60 himy" Her
face was cold and unfeeling, but there
was singular sweetness in her voice
ayes, only that ho thinks you are"--
al understand" with u faint smile
After explaining matters TO OFlahcrty
| led her to the bedside of the dying man
and left them alone together
When | returned some minutes later
she sat beside him, and he was holding
her hand
A change that could not describe had
come over her countenance. There was
a subdued light that only tears can give
to womans face.
you'll make little prar for me" he
was saying pleadingly.
"I-I can'tr'
Eyes, little one" very tenderly ii
1low you do feel broke up, but | never
jest knowed how. an the angels'd hear
such as you"
The woman turned u hunted look upon
the rest of us, and then slipping from
her chair dropped upon her knees
"Now lay mo down TO sleep;
Ipray the Lord my soul TO keep.
II should die before wake,
Ipray the Lord my soul 10 take"
At first the words seem TO choke her,
but there was something SO solemn about
IL all that do not think it occurred to
one of MS that there was anything incon-
gruous in the repetition of the childish
prayer MT this moment.
Buck repeated tho last words over after
her;
II pray tho Lord my soul to take.
yes. ! 'llow he will" and he was
gone.
OF course we could not think now of
dealing with our prisoner. so. after
hurried consultation. we put her on
Bucks pony, and Harper and rode out
to the trail with her, and the last we saw
of Mrs. Buck Tupper she was vanishing
down the gorge in the gray morning
mist.
Tho following summer | returned to
Boston, and as the years slipped away
my western experience became gradual
ly an uncertain memory.
One evening late in December as
was walking up Duane street my atten-
ton was arrested by the sound Of music
that came from the Salvation Army bar
racks across the street.
have a friend In Jesus;
He's everything to me:
He's the fairest OF ten thousand to my SOUL
crossed over and stood for q moment
in the crowd that surged about the door
The singing had ceased, and woman
was speaking. | could not see her face,
but her voice was singularly musical
falsetto.
Though your sins be as scarlet-do
you near ludl. Hlio Ntto Sty iib. tDcstiltt
that means blood-an the Bible says
no murderer can enter the kingdom. But
he can wash the murder out of your
heart, bless his name! He says, I will
make them white as snow"
Seized with sudden curiosity,
mounted one of the benches TO get a
glimpse of the speakers face. A pale
face. with clear, gray eyes and waving,
brown hair--where had seen it beforei
What was the vague memory that for a
moment seemed only to tantalize me?
had gone back through the years and
the same face-only younger and fuller
was looking at me from the smoked
wall above the chimney piece.
MRS. Buck Tupper!" Involuntarily
the words came to my lips. At this mo-
ment the woman's eyes met my own. A
confused look overspread her face, and
she faltered in her speech. Could it be