The Coconino weekly sun., 1893-09-28

I crucified to these men. What was his poor, miserable gift of dying life, compared with these lost souls? Be, sides--then he coughcd terribly, closed his eyes, and wiped the cold sweat of mortal illness from his face. An, spacious human nature! Sophistries that keep it from the debasement of overrighteousness! It was of ono precious sin-siclI soul he was thinking, and that hc hoped to reach through this zeal for tho brotherhood.
 Poor scared Emma! She had given her intluence-and have shown thatit was great--she had gwen her saloon, which was also her throne, and now she was shut up in n miserable, tawdry room, partitioned off from the rest, dressed in her Sunday finery, waiting until all the gang had assembled, when | she would walk in boldly and take her | seat with the rest. Well she knew that no woman would be there. No other woman would sit under the same roof with her, and then she looked down on her diamond bedeclIed hands. "I can buy and sell them all. am no mans slave and my word is law, but" And then whole flood of tears came. But soon she dashed them away and dried her eyes. Another touch of rouge to repair the ravage, and she was ready ito go to church." as she phrased it to herself. A determined, aggressive fig ure, dressed in smart black satin, wearing bow of pink ribbon at the throat. It seemed as if the incongruity of her attire struck her at the last moment, for on the threshold of her room she stopped, went back, and threw a lace shawl around her shoul- dcrs. T1cn shc made her way to the front room, just as the noise of clatter- ing boots and grating chairs was hushcd, and the minister bowed his head in prayer.
 A dozen men made room for her. Their faces frightened as she entered, but she did not look at one of them. Like one walking in sleep she moved, and never took her eyes from the thin, meager form of the man who stood in the impromptu pulpit, pouring out his soul in prayer.
 It was not until the petition was ended, and the oppressed listeners had relaxed with sigh, that she sat down among the men, where she could see without being seen.
 The minister thcn chose hymn and lined it out:
 II heard the voice of Jesus say"
 He was interrupted by Deputy Bill.
 We can't sing that, pard-I mean parson. Give us mething we know"
 They compromised on "A land that is faircr than day" The parson heard the sweet treble of woman's voice, and wondered much whence it came. He looked troubled, and the cough that shook him with it's paroxysm brought out bottles and glasses, but he put aside all offers with a shaking hand.
 "Hearlien to me, my friends" he be- gan, solcmnly, and know that you are listening to dying man."
 He had not time to announce the text, the words of life were lowering upon his lips, when there rang through the room q woman's frenzied cry:
 "Oh. Jimmy, Jimmyw
 " llp SibDht. W Alp N1iINtA inhth the parson, with white lips, clinging to the table before him.
 "Oh! Jimmy, you're too latc-and you're killing yourself, and it's for me, and I'm not worth it-lm-not-worth- it.'
 She was making her way to him now, and as his eyes lit up his dcath-pale features he prayed:
 At last" he murmurcd, lat last, and now I'm willing to die! Lord, l. thank-Thce."
 His head fell forward. 4 dozen stall wart men jumped to his side, but when hr vas laid on the nearest bench it ". Scared Emma" who held his dy- in head on her arm, and it was into E.g face he locke d when he opened his eyes for brief coming back to life.
 Don't cry" he said, tenderly, don't cry, Molly--at least not for me-but promise me-quick, I'm going soon promise me to quit thIs place-now- forever"
 "Oh, Jimmy, I can't. You've seen them an--tell me, Jimmie, are they well-do they ever speak of me?'
 "They- well-dcar, and safe over there! The dear old mother and the little sister. And promised them I'd bring-you and--now I'm going without your
 Don't go, Jimmy, I'll do anything if you'll only live. I'll change my ways, and do just as you bid me, even to turning my back on friends that have been good to me. But oh, Jimmy, I1n not worth dying for-it's too late for that"
 Not to meet the dear mother and little sister! I tell you it is not too late. Oh, cannot die in peace if you do not promise. You have no right to lose your soul, chiId-it is not yours to do with as you please, but is bought with price. Take those off" lock- ing with wide strange eyes at the gems on her hands.
 She obeyed him. Tn q moment she had stripped every ring from her fingers and then he gathered the two poor scared hands in his cold ones, and held them to his pale lips.