Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-06-06

much hurt, for crack went the whip-shs
was going to ride again.
Suddenly she fell. and a manly voice
called out: "Shame! shame" The house
took up the call. and "Shame!' came
laundering from all parts Of the tent, fol-
lowed by a volley of Kisses. The child
rider did not open her eyes. She lay in
the ring, half supported by her trainer,
and then was carried out.
Abed in her lodging an hour later poor
Ruby had not opened her eyes. She lay
with her head of curls resting upon one
thin white hand. She did not know that
her beloved father kept watch by her
to her, and had identified her as his lost
child.
Now and then she moaned as If in pain,
and one hand that rested on the coverlid
moved convulsively. Then her father
would stoop and kiss the fevered lips and
stroke-oh, so gently!-her tumbled gold
en- hair, after which she would be more
peaceful.
During those moments of rest he would,
with all the passion of a grief-stricken
soul, call upon God for help. A silent
prayer fed from the fathers heart up
to the great. glistening throne in Para
disc. Its cry was exceeding bitter; its
utterance was, ooh. God! spare my child,
my only treasure; be mercifulv
The father waited. He could do no
more. He moaned in the bitterness of his
heart, 'She shall not die! cannot give
her up---I cannot
She moved again restlessy: he spoke to
her-"Ruby! dear Ruby! don't you know
me? You will get well for my sake.
Ruby, look at met
She moaned and drew heavy sigh: but
she uttered not the loving word, "Father."
To her his presence was as nothing.
Suddenly a distressed voice broke the
stiffness of the sick room: "Vic! Vic!
Where is Vic! Fetch Wet"
Here l am, Ruby, DEAR" was the re-
Spouse, don't you know me, my darling?
See, Vic has brought you flowers" She
took one or two Of the blossoms. and put
them into the childs parched hand; then
she kissed her gently.
Vic had just come from the perform
ance. and with no delay had sought the
bedside of her pet.
John Hayward recognized her instant
ly. A moment later her eyes fell on him.
Their hands clasped. But there was
something more momentous to them on
this occasion than greetings-the child
moved again uneasily. and moaned: "Vic!
Vic! Fetch me Vic: Why doesn't she
come: Oh. do bring her."
''Vic's here, my pet" But he could say
no more. He put his hands over his eyes,
and tears trickled through his slender
fingers. Then he murmured, MY God!
my God! help me to bear it,
There was a pause for second. 1t
seemed like weeks to the anxious watch
ers. Then she moved uneasily: the flow
ers dropped from her hand, and lay with.
cred by the cruel heat Of fever. She
grew restless; her cheeks flushed brilliant
", and she spoke in strained, frightened
way that thrilled through her hearers and
drove them almost to despair.
"Hark at the, applause, Vic: am
giddy! l am falling! Do save me! The
place swims; cannot see Vitter's head.
Round again! I'm off couldn't help it.
indeed I couldn't Her voice sank al
most to a whisper. The father took her
hand in his, but she shrank from his
touch and moaned: ''vic, save me! Don't
let him thrash mc--don't! Mercy!-not
this time, please!" Again she sat up in
bed and raised her hands imploringly.
Vic, with soft words. placed her gently
back, and her head sank on the pillow.
One faint streak of the dawn; one trace
of the gilded morning breaking over the
dusky houses, making mute shadows here
and there over the filthy streets and dingy
courts, and then little Ruby sank to rest.
Her death was SO peaceful, so tranquil,
that they watched some time after the
pure young soul had winged its fight to
where the flowers forever bloom, where
there is neither change of calm or storm,
and where the happy, holy morning never
dies, for there is no night.
During the month after Ruby's death
Vic Melton's life seemed all dark to her.
She forgot that heavy clouds sometimes
come before the brilliance of the dawn.
One day John Hayward went to call on