Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-03-29

Bill" he added almost tenderly. Then
you wouldn't be such sour contem pit
bic, disagreeable chap" SO saying he
pressed his lips to the picture. Bill
started and stole a look at him. The
faco of the misanthrope became con-
vulsed.
"Who is she ?" he asked in hoarsc
tone of voice.
so you are interested. are you ?"
said the other laughingly. "Who is
she ? My wife, to he sure. We wouldn't
he separated now but for tho hard times.
And then there's the baby to think of.
Bill. But there's good time coming.
Bill, when the snow mets aud the flow
ers peep from beneath the covering of
ice (; when the hills are covered with
verdure and the world awakens to life
and love. Then shall once more be
with my darling Good-night, old chap.
| only wish you as pleasant dreams az
come to me"
With that he turned on his side and
slept with the picture pressed to his
heart. In the misanthope's mind
thousand conflicting thoughts ran riot.
for in the sweet face he had recognized
his former love, while lying by his side.
sleeping so calmly and restfully in the
Same berth was the man who had robbed
him of that which he held so dear, and
changed him into one of the most miser.
able creatures in the world. With
curse Bill opened his clasp knife aud his
arm hung suspended over the sleeping
man, the blade directed toward hs heart.
Then the thought came to Bill that to
kill him 1t would be necessary for the
knife to pass through the picture of his
old sweetheart.
Carefully he removed the picture, and.
holding it in his hand raised himself on
his elbow and gazed at it,
The tears came to bis eyes finally he
replaced the picture. and, shutting the
knife, laid down by the side Of the man
who had stolen his love. but not to sleep
The other never knew how noar the
gates of death were to him that night.
The next day Bill was cross as ever
lie ate his breakfast silently aud went
into tho woods without word to any
one, walking apart from the others All
day he worked with woman face ever
in his mind aud blind rage consuming
his heart. The day was a stormy one.
and the great flakes of snow spread
thick mantle on the deep, white cover
ing which already lay upon the earth
1t had turned bitter cold and the wind
swept mournfully through the tall trees,
making them emit the most melancholy
sound 10 the world, the requiem Of the
pines, when lost spirits seem rushing
madly by, But all day tempest, too,
had been raging in Bills heart. To-
ward nightfall he started to retrace his
steps toward the camp. He had been
working on the outskirts Of the forest,
and the foreman and the others were
well on ahead of him Suddenly Bill
came across PROSTATE figure of
his buoyant companion Lying senselcss
in the snow, having been struck by IA
falling tree Loss of consciousness had
been immediate, and in the binding
snow bis misfortune had not been OBJ
served. Bill stood there for some mo-
ments The battle he waged with him.
self was long one. Perhaps if he left
him there he might yet win the woman
he loved. His death would be attributed
to the blow from the falling tree and the
cold. He was not yet dead, but the ex-
posure in that cold would soon stiflin the
motionless form With anger ia his
bosom, Bill turned away and started to-
word the camp. He had gone some dis
lance when he paused and reflected
The pathetic face OF the wife arose be-
fore him the pale. appealing face Of
tho woman he loved.
It was late in the evening when Bill
staggered into camp with his heavy load.
A doctor was sent for and thun Bill
went TO bed, assured that the other was
out of danger When bis rival recov-
cred he thanked Bill very profusely and
slapped him on the shoulder. and with
a suspicious moisture in his eyes, told
him that he was the dearest old cross
grained fellow in the world and (briug-
ing down his huge iist) he would defy
any one to say otherwise. The two
shook hands and there was gadness in
the heart of Boom Log Bill.
II have only one regret. Bill" said
the other
What is that "igrowled Bill.
81 have lost the photograph of the
sweetest girl 10 the world
The misanthrope hung his head and
said nothing. The other had no suspi-
cions. After all he was most concerned
in looking forward to tho spring when
bo would once more hold the original to
his breast and the sad parting would be
a matter Of the past