The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-14


suit you! Well, then, it may suit
you better to stay at home altogeth-
er. Come to the Office and get your
money"
But the mans dull eyes only stared
at him moment before he hurried
away without word.
They wondered at his absence the
day following, and thought it must
be Comma. Could the end have
come? And what would it mean to
Burke?
On the hill above the shaft house,
amidst grove of cedars and the
white and red oak, was the dwelling
house inhabited by the captains
family. His wife grew roses round
the galleries, and blond daughter
rode pet pony over the fields.
One day the young animal tried to
shake his saddle and roll in the creek,
and the girl was thrown into the
bushes, where Burke Matson, on his
way to the mines, found her badly
stunned.
There was great excitement when
Burke came up with the captains
daughter in his sturdy arms, and
they could gather little from the
mans wild looks and excited speech.
He handled her like baby, and, as
they babe him carry her to the cap
tain, called her Comma thousand
times.
The girl was only stunned from
her fall; but for while it was feared
Burke had lost his reason. He
moaned and cried over the captains
daughter, and, looking piteously
about him, said:
"She's like her as she was; don't
you see it, boys? My Comma was
just as purity, with that hair like sun
shine and a skin all clouds-so white
and soft. You cam come and see
her for yourself, Captain; but oh, no,
my Cod Commas not like that
now"
''It is the girl, Captain, as has set
him off" said the man. Ellis Gem
ma is cripple-in the worst way"
They left the house and went
their several ways, while Captain
McCurb struck out after Burke, who
retraced his steps to his cabin behind
the woods.
| A few yards behind Burke the SUI
perintendent softly opened the cabin
door and silently took in the signif-
canoe of Burke's home. There was
but one room in the cabin, and in the
center, where the roof did not leak,
was a bed which was occupied by the
crippled girl.
A pallet in one corner was Burke's
bed when he used one. A small
patch of straw filled broken win
dow pane, and rags stuffed the logs
where the mortar had fallen out.
The girl started with wonder in
the pain-colored eyes. She was very
thin and wasted, weary and wretched;
but nothing like sour or rebellious
heart showed in her face. She had
acquired that strange patience which
those who have suffered long gain
through mysterious victory known
only to themselves and God.
Both men stood before Comma in
silence, and then their eyes met; and,
turning away, Captain McCurb held
out his hand to Burke and said: 81
did not understand you, Burke; 1 ask
your pardon"
Burke did not take the captains
hand, but beckoned him to the door
way, where they shut Comma in; and
he replied:
II knowed you did not know about
her, but you must hear it all. done
it myself, and Gods punishment is
on me. OF course l was drunk, and
belonged to the devil. 1t killed my
ole women, and since-Ive had
Comma alone. After that happened,
Captain McCurb. took new look at
temperance. 1 saw what meant a
beast, and l wanted to be man."
sand you have suffered and become
one, thank Godw said Captain Nc
Curb, cordially grasping Burke's
hand, whether he would or not; and
Burke's eloquent looks met his.
"Now, Burke, I'm your friend-I
want you to understand that-and it
may not be too late for your girl yet.
We will give surgery chance at her,
and will engineer the doctors"
Burke's face rained tears like a
cnild's; but his voice kept as steadily
as his purpose,
HVou,ra warn lind Canfa;Y, Oh -