Evening star., 1896-02-29

Poor mamma" he said, dear mamma !;
you got hurt, haven't you? Never mind
Bulbs here. I'll take care of you. Shall
get the quinine?' said Bub, gulplng down
the tears. Receiving no answer but the
groans of the dying woman, the child said:
Perhaps you'd rather have the mustard
plaster? :! think I know where the blue
pills are" added Bub, they're under the
seat in the wagon somewheres" But a
power greater than quinine and blue mass
Ghe main constituents of the boomers ma
terra medica) defed the little nurse. His
mothers gaunt, blue eyes regarded him
solemnly. Death looked out of them. A
woman's protest against the fate Of her
motherless babes gathered like an army in
her nature and fought for life.
Poor Bub," she moaned, "my little, lit
tie Bub! My sick boy! And oh. my baby!
Here she is, marm!'
A big, bass voice, shaken with emotion as
new to the desperate as the baby's delicate
kiss upon his coarse cheeks, Interrupted
the piteous scene Grizzly Jim stood there,
Jerry painting behind him; Wee, the baby,
cuddled trustfully against his blood-stained
heart
Your cried sharp, young voice sudden
ly. 1t was the girl with the yellow hair
the adventures, who had abandoned the
choicest claim in Oklahoma for another
womans sake. She glanced at Grizzly Jim
with scorn. II only went to get water for
her," said the girl in a matter-of-fact tone,
restraining herself powerfully; II only left
Her IOr d minute here, you poor lnlnS!
Drink, if you can. I'll hold you. Come.
my little lad gently to the crippled boy;
'let me help; I'm stronger than you.
won't hurt her She needs a woman-a
woman does, when it comes to DYING
At this juncture the baby girl began to
laugh and pat her pink hands, opening ard
shutting her little fingers rapidly with de-
light.
mummer!'
Lord have mercy on mer' walled the
dying woman, 1.-TWO of 'em babies-left in
this awful place. Why, I can't die. I
won't die!'
Grizzly Jim advanced suddenly; he re-
moved the soiled sombrero from his shaggy
head; he sank upon one muddy knee before
poor Caddy.
I own to t. I meant to hit another woman.
I missed my dog-goned aim for the fust
| time in twenty year."
slight smile crossed the lips Of the vel
| 1ow-haired girl, who held the dying wo-
mans head upon her broad, strong breast;
| but she didn't look up, nor answer Grizzly
| Jim. After an instant's silence she said in
a low voice:
you've got the floor, you, sir. Keep it.
Drive ahead. She won't hold out many
| minutes
"An I've got to say, marm, is this here. u
pursued Jim unsteadily. I've done the
mischief and I'll bide the consequence. Yer
horse an yer bebby got yer claim, an ]
staked it fur 'em, an by heaven above US
marin, I'll keep it-an' the young ones. too "
| The anguish Of the dying wOman's face
| wrenched this great resolve from the depth
of that new tumult in Jim's soul, which we
| call repentance.
"Goody man. gurgled Wee, going over
| to him with a lolling, curving motion like
kitten at play with light string "Goody
| man, div Wee drink-o'-watah. Mummer
| Dee, dee, mummer!
The woman's stiffening lips set them
| selves into one word only:
| "Pray-pray!'
| Grizzly Jim looked at the strong girl
The gil looked at Grizzly Jim.
II can't" she faltered; i've forgotten
how"
Il darsn't," he muttered. II dun know
| how
| II do" said Bub. mamma taught me-
| The boy folded his thin hands, grimy
| with tears, and in a shrilly quaverine
voice began:
Now 1 lay me down to Sleep
| At this moment the baby laughed out
| right, lurching over. In the ringing o1
! that little laugh, poor Caddy's soul passed
| on She smiled as she died-and SO dice
most quietly.
The adventures covered the dead ma
irons face; she did not speak. The baby
| girl curled against Jim's breast, and pu
up her fingers and began to play "Danbury
| Cross" on his cheek. Jim bowed his bare6
| head over Wee, SO low that 1t was impossi
| Bile to see his eyes. Only Bub cried, and he
made no noise about 1t, but walled i'll a
| low monotone, enough to break ones heart
II forgive you for drawing a bead on mt
| If you'll be daddy to the young ones. Yor
took it so powerful hard, I won't tell the
on r you meant said the vel
| pause. "My claim is staked here. Yor
keep your distance, and If you want the
| baby tended and the boy mended up, IL
do 1t for you.' Jim tried to smile ot tht
| rough, generous woman, who, after all
| was SO like himself in better impulses.
| do yer think the boy 'ud trust me, too?