Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1894-02-02

NN>S2S&A ~ AM like tu1b, WIFI tuG
SsgNfszWsS ground as soft as
NssSsaNNaSSS a sponge and the
lW7SG7lMWX&SSN wind still blow
" " o0'0 w y ing straight from
the south. Why, the road takes you
directly under the bluff?"
eyes, yes, l know" the girl answered
impatiently. 81 know the ground is
bad, but the road is safe enough The
last wolf was killed three winters ago.
And, in any case, it does not matter,
father, for Jack has come for me and
his mother is dying. Think of it,
father, not woman to speak last
word of love or comfort, only the
doctor and perhaps, the Bishop. She
needs me this very moment, and with
Jack how could | be afraid?"
Nancy's voice was brave enough,
but her eyes were moist as the color
deepened in her cheeks. Jacks heart
beat quickly with love, the love of a
brave man for the woman who trusts
him.
james Hardwick was genuine
ranchman. He loved the life well. 1t
had brought him health and home,
and besides, was not Nancy's mother
buried at the foot of the knoll Just
back of the ranch? True, there was
no white stone to tell her name and
age to curious strangers, only clump
of red cedars with rustic bench
circling their roots, and in the summer
roses and wild camellias in profusion,
transforming the grave into q flower
bed. Here Nancy had grown from a
grave, pretty child to gentle, beauti-
full woman, the morning star of her
fathers life, and until the past six
months had thought her life, with its
monotonous routine, perfect.
Early in the past summer Jack Du
Bois had come from the East with his
invalid mother, whose physicians had
ordered ranch life in the Far West as
the only remedy for weak lungs and
failing strength. Jack was to gradu-
ate in the spring, but his ambitious
We're put resolutely aside, and his
mothers remonstrances met with a
tender, reassuring smile.
And now she was dying, his efforts
had all been vain. The heavy sacri-
fee had only been the preliminary to
heavier sorrow. When, in the morn
ing, the doctor had rendered his final
verdict, Jacks first impulse was for
Nancy; he would start ut once and
bring her back before sunset. But
Nancy was away when he reached the
ranch, and did not return until the
prairies were gray and the last ray of
orange light had trailed down the ho-
riZon.
Now Nancy was begging earnestly
to go with her lover, who was blind to
any possibility of danger, knowing so
we'll his own strength and courage.
And, above all, far away in the cabin
was the loved ''Iittle mater" dying
The time seemed very precious, and,
in spite of himself, he shuddered visi-
bly,. Nancy read his heart as quickly
as though his lips were voicing every
change and pleaded with her father
until his reluctant consent was won.
"You were always too much for me,
little girl" he said, sit has always
been, yea, yea, where it should have
been may, nay. You are all / have,
Nancy child, and tonight my heart is
on the ground ian Indian expression
for 'the blues1. All day the wind
has moaned in the clump of cedsrs
] can't shake off the feeling of fore
boding it brings me. There, there,
no tears. | know you would be
wretched not to go. God keep you
safe"
Then he turned abruptly, and, fac
ing the man who had taken SO much
out of his life, said curtly:
eff aught happen her tonight, Jack
Du Bois, remember my life ends with
hers, and both are in your keeping" I"
''Fatherl Father! - Nancy cried,
throwing her arms about his neck.
"You are breaking my heart. You
shall not speak so to Jack. He would
give his life for mine"
The frown that had deepened in
Jacks forehead disappeared at Nan
cy's words.
''Nancy has spoken the truth, he
answered quietly, speaking her name
slowly caressingly, as though each
syllable were a mystic rite.
In few minutes the horses were Mt
the door, Hardwick helping Nancy to
mount. AS she watched him examine
every strap and buckle, solicitous as n
lover for every tri1le, she began, for
the first time, to compr ehend little
OF the pain her new happiness had
brought him. Regardless of prsncing
horse and impatient lover, she again
threw her arms about her father 5
neck Neither of them spoke, but
when Hardwick rc-entered the ranch
bis face wns wet with tears.
Jack had come over the mountain
road IN the morning, when much of
the moisture had drained off. and bad
not ikouohl the tnwpr road couid be