Omaha daily bee., 1895-08-11

kicked by mules, and played with by grlz-
lilies. We've had head o. fun, boys. for
our money, but | reckon the picnic ls about
over. SO well shake hands tomorrow all
around and call 1t square, and 60 on our ways
separately"
And what do you think youll do. Uncle
Dick7" said his close-shaven companion list
lessly
"Ill make tracks for a square meal. bed
that man could comfortably take Off his
boots and die In. and some vlolet-scented soap.
Civilizations good enough for mel even
reckon | wouldn't mind the sound OF the
hurch-going belr ef there was a theater
handy as there likely would be. But the
wilderness Is played out"
You'll be back to 1t again in six months.
Uncle Dick" retorted the other quickly
Uncle Dick did not reply. 1t was pecul-
iarlty of the party that in their isolated com
panionship they had already exhausted dis
cussion and argument A silence followed, IN
which they all looked at the fire as If 1T was
It's turn to make suggestion.
"Collinson," said the pleasant voice, alb.
ruptly, who lives in the hollow this side of
the Divide, about two miles from the frst
spur above the big canyon
Mary soul!'
Are you su.e?"
"Sartin! Thar amt no one but me betwixt
Bald Top and Skinner's-twenty-hve miles"
"Of course. you'd know IL any one had come
there lately?" persisted the pleasant voice.
Il reckon. 1t amt week ago that
tramped the whole distance that you fellers
just rode over"
There amt" said ithe leader deliberately,
"any enchanted castle or cabin that goes
watzing round the road with revolving win
dows and fairy princesses looking out of
'em?"
But Collnson, recognizing this as purely
irrelevant humor, with possibly a trap or
pitfall in it, moved away from the fireplace
without a word and retired TO the adjoin-
ing kitchen to prepare supper. Presently he
reappeared.
"The pork barls empty. boys, so I'll hev to
fix ye up with jerled beef, potatoes and flap
jacks. Ye see thar amt anybody been over
from SINNERS store for week"
"All right; only hurry up" said Uncle
Dick cheerfully, settling himself back in his
chair; Il reckon to turn IN as soon as I've
rastled with your hash, for I've got to turn
out again and be off at sun-up."
They were all very quiet again, so quiet
that they could not help noticing that the
sound of Collnson's preparations for their
supper had ceased, too. Uncle Dick arose
softly and walked to the kitchen door. Col
linson was sitting before small kitchen
stove. with fork in his hand, gazing alb
stractedly before him. At the sound of his
guests footsteps he started. and the noise of
preparation recommended. Uncle Dick re-
turned to his chair by the fire. Leaning
toward the chair of the close shaven man, he
said in lower voice:
"He was Off agin!'
"What?"
"Thnkin' of that wife of his"
"What about his wife," asked Key, lower
ing his voice also.
The three mems heads were close to-
gether
when Coinson fixed up this mill he
sent for his wife in the states" said Uncle
Dick. in half whisper, waited a year for
her. hanging around and boarding every
emigrant wagon that came through the
Pass She didn't come-only the news that
she was dead" He paused and nudged
his chair still closer-the heads were almost
touching. They say-over in the bar
his voice had sunk to a complete whisper
"that 1t was lie, That she ran away with
the man that was fetchin' her OUT three
thousand miles and three weeks with an
other man upsets some women. But he
knows nothing about it. only he sometimes
kinder goes off looneylike. thinking of her."
He stopped; the heads separated. Coinson
had appeared at the doorway, his melancholy
patience apparently unchanged.
"Grub's on. gentlemen; sit by and eat"
The humble meal was dispatched with
zest and silence A few interjected remarks
about the uncertainties OF prospecting only
accented the other pauseo In ten minutes
they were out again by the fireplace with
their lit pipes. AS there were only three
, chairs Colnson stood beside the chimney.
"Collnson,' said Uncle Dick, after the
usual pause. taking HIS pipe from his lips,
| las we've got to get up and get at sun-up
we might as well tell you now that we're
! dead broke. We've been living for the last
few weeks on Prcble Keys loose change
and that's gone. You'll have to let this
| little account and damage stand over
| Collinson's brow slightly contracted, with
| out, however, altering his general express
sion Of resigned patience.
''I'm sorry for ynu BOYS" he said slowly