Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-12-14
A WOMAN'S SAYING HAND.
By EMILY BARTON.

He was ruined. AS he left the gam
bling house on Kearney street, San
Francisco, and wandered out into Gold
en- Gate park he had absolutely not q
dollar in his pockets wherewith to pur-
chase lodging or meal. The down
cast profile was clear-cut and firm, ar
guing powerful individuality in its
owner, and yet mania had seized him
as it had seized many a weaker man,
and he had staked his all and lost.
The moonlight touched his bowed
head softly, silvered the outlines of his
figure and revealed his haggard whire-
ness.
1t fell on something else-something
that glittered in his hands like steel.
''Stop Don't do that!"
1t was a woman's voice that spoke, a
woman's touch that rested lightly on
his sleeve, woman's great dusky eyes,
set in face such as one sees but sell
dom in lifetime, which were raised to
his She had strolled out to enjoy the
beauty of the evening, and, absorbed in
meditation, had wandered farther than
she knew.
The mans arm dropped to his side.
He looked at her in silence, wondering,
admiring, perhaps little ashamed.
"Why did you want to do it?" pur-
sued the gentle voice. "Does life seem
so evil a thing to your"
81 have been a fool-a madmanI L
am ruined!"
'But you are man. You can work.
You can regain all that you have lost"
He shook his head
81 cannot find employment here, and
q haven't the means to return to my
home, in Chicago"
Her hand slipped into her pocket and
out again. Adroitly she drew the pistol
away from him and pressed something
into his hand in it's place.
''See, / have bought this thing of
.you," she said, hurriedly. you need
not feel too grateful. Christians should
help each other. If you want to repay
me, swear to yourself that you will
never do-what you attempted just
now. must leave you now. Good-by."
And she was gone before he could
stay or thank her-swallowed up and
lost in the shadow of the trees.
miss Ferris, allow me to introduce
you to Mr.. Fergus Landeck."
The first time they had met alone un-
der the stars, in San Francisco; now
they were amid fashionable gathering
in the home of one of the railroad mag
mates in New York She was in evening
dress, with diamonds sparkling on her
throat and in her hair.
For an instant she returned his gaze,
questioning, perpiexed; then there was
a flash of recognition, and he saw she
knew.
"Will you take me into the conserva-
tory, Mr.. Landeck? 1t is so warm
here"
They left the ballroom and strolled
under the domed glasshouse where the
palms and lilies grew.
'You have not forgotten, then?"
It was his voice, low and tremulous,
which broke the silence.
''No; nor you, it seems"
'There are moments in mans life
which he never forgets. That was one
of them. Do you know 1 have often
wondered whether we should ever meet
again, and / dared not indulge a hope
until this evening, when for the first
time / learned your name. Miss Fer
ris, shall we sit down for awhile? am
very grateful for this opportunity of
speaking to you alone. WANT want
&c return to you, with many thanks, the
the gift you gave me five years ago.
All, don't say no. The obligation I'M
der which you placed me will none the
less exist, and-and / shall always keep
the little purse, always-in remem-
brance of that highland you"
Fortune has evidently favored you
since,'' she said, after pause.
"Yes, fortune has indeed favored me,
Miss Ferris. Your gift was like the en-
chanted purses in the childrens fairy
tales-bottomless. 1t enabled me to
reach the home of my parents in Chi
cago. became reformed man, and
soon secured employment as secretary
to tkN manager of car construction
company in Detroit. By industry and
thrift saved little money. With it
bought land in a rising town of North
Dakota. The starting of a big factory
there gave the town boom, and the
land / had bought for few hundred
dollars was able TO dispose of for $685.
Do0 / engaged in other speculations.
exercising nay best judgment, and ev-
erything l touched seemed to turn to
gold; whatever did was right. Money
came to me in tens of thousands. am
to-day worth $2OO. 900. and if it had not
been for you should be lying in a sui
cide's grave"
Something glistened on her lashes.
She dropped her eyes and toyed with
fhe feathers of her fan.
Il aIn glad, very glad, you have sue
seeded