Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1895-04-24

good glass Of grog helped to steady my
nerves But as soon as was able to
walk insisted OH going home, giving
as an excuse that wanted to turn in.
To remain under Meadows roof was in
tolerable.
well, if go you must, Z" Luke ex-
claimed, when he found would stay no
longer, 81 will see you to your door.
Don't cry, my girl. He will be all right
in the morning. Ben and l will look aft
er him.
Powell" Holding began as soon as
! had reached my room, "you and have
a little matter to settle, and the sooner
it is done the better. know what's
troubling you | knew it last night, and
| would have set you right then II you
would have listened to me. don't deny
was put out by what you said, but
well, l have been very near death to-
day, and such things seem Of no impor-
lance You think Lizzie and are low
ers, don t you? All the village thinks SO.
Because have taken little house of
my own, am going to take wife, they
say. And so am. Mary Blake and |
hope to come together at Christmas. She
lives at the place where I've been work
ing all summer. AS l haven't creature
belonging to me, I came to Lizzie for
help, for what do know of how things
ought to look or what girl likes to
have about her? But you've no call to
be jealous, my friend. Lizzie is yours
heart and soul. I've thought SO many
day, and now I'm sure Of it. confess
pretended to make love to her last
night. but it was only bit of fun Will
you forgive and forget?"
What relief those words were TO mel
I tried to tell him Of all the wicked
thoughts that had filled my brain and
to ask his pardon for them, but he would
not let me speak and presently went
away, leaving me alone with Luke
Meadows.
1 could do no less than confess the
state of my heart to the old man, though
was scarcely in a condition to talk CO.
herently. But Lizzie's grief and terror
during the storm had softened him, and
instead Of repelling me, as feared he
would do, he smiled as he said it was
true he had vowed never to part with
his little girl. but if liked to come and
live at the cottage l might marry her
whenever pleased, and the sooner the
better
But that happy day was not to dawn
yet awhile. The next morning found me
unable to rise from my bed, and many
weeks passed before l could leave it
again. Through the fever that followed,
Holding nursed me like brother, even
putting off his own wedding rather than
leave me in strange hands, and verify
believe it was owing to his watchful care
that recovered my health, as it was to
him owed the restoration Of my peace
Of mind.
Winter had passed away. and the
spring flowers were peeping from their
hiding place in the grass before Lizzie
Meadows and were man and wife, All
Lizzie's old playfellows came to the
church to see her married and wish her
happiness with the lad she had chosen,
but no ones word touched me SO nearly
as did those of Ben Holding:
"Ah, Ben," whispered as l wrung
his hand, II don't deserve my happi-
ness, and no one knows that better than
you do. F."
OF course he assured me it was all
nonsense, and / must not let such
thoughts trouble me, but l know we'll
that the recollection of that terrible day
will never fade from my memory
Chambers Journal