The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-07-03

the door. run for the horse doctor
quick, you galoots!" he cried as he
clattered down the stairs. -.
Tony followed him. 1T aln'l no use
he said. Rays horse did it-all you
can do IS to shoot EN-"
"shoot Gold Dust-I see YOU doing
that" Tom anarled, turning on him.
You scoot for that horse doctorF He
ran toward his home, Tony knew that
the veterinarian would be useless, so
he followed at safe distance.
Tom tore down the street, through the
yard and barn 20 the back pasture
where he kept his mare. Gold Dust
stood near the fence that had been her
undoing. When she saw her master
she hobbled toward him, her hoof hang
Ing by a shred and her head dropping
with pain, She whlned as ~ shc
thought help had come OF last,
Tom gave a sharp cry and started
forward. He put his arm around her
neck aud laid his face against the white
star In her forehead. Tony looked the
other wayne felt 4 queer delicaey
about spying, as " Gold Dust had been
dying woman, - E.f.,lg ~
Tom raised his head and stocked her
shoulder softly, then ltnelt. down ana
| examined the cut hoof7-shasNnA stand
ling on tho stump. lie muttered some
thing betweens n curse and a groan
about wire fence being an Invention
OF the devil. There's no cure for that
and must put her out OF her misery
he said, getting on his feet why;
Tony, she was good for ten years yet
He fumbled In his hip pocket.
"I'u do IT," Tony said, extending his
hand.
do It. Though It breaks my heart
Gold Dust neIghed again, and her
piteous eyes pleaded for aid.
Tom passed his hand across his eyes
and drew his revolver from his pocket;
ne laid the muzzle against the star In
her forehead-then he flung Il down.
and put his lips 20 the spot where the
muzEle had rested. "Good-by, dear Old
girl" he whispered. IT'S like treason
10 do 1t, when you've never played a
| trick on melt almost Kills me, too
Perhaps youth have another chance
somewhere-this can't be oil for u horse
like you."Hls arms closed tighter
"Good-by, Gold Dust"
He took up the revolver again. The
sorrel stood quite still. as " he were go
ing to saddle her for a ride In the corn
fields such as he had taken thousand
times before. There was a click, a re-
port and Gold Dust fell In n quiVerlng
hemp at the foot OF her master.
Tom threw the pistol on the grass and
went down on his knees; he took the
poor head on his lap and looked into
the eyes, but they were already glaz-
ing with n blush film, Am / an nw-
ful fool, Tony?' he asked. looking up
81 don't believe I'll ever feel ike q
boy again II can never rlde-"Hls
voice stuck in his throat and something
bright fell on the white star IN Gold
Dusts forehead He arose and looked
down at the stlTening form and the
almost severed hoOf. See that she's
buried decent under the walnut tree,
Tony" he said. as he turned away.
He went to his room: his head aehed
and he felt suddenly old and tired. How
| Gold Dust had loved hlml He thought
with shnme OF the tlm0 he had gone
hunting and left her nll day tied TO a
| fence, under an August sun. lie re-
membercd that he was Invited to n
| dance that evening. Well they would
have 10 get along without his company.
| lie paid no attention TO the dinner bell,
nor did he 70 down to supper. His mo-
ihcr went upstairs and knocked on his
| door. Tom" she called, tom"
what ~ ~" q hoitse voice growlcd
| from within.
Aren't you coming down TO suppor2"
she asked you'd better have some
| thlnu."
"Oh. blame II ALL beg your pardon,
mother--hut do leave me alone" tho
voice replled. ana Mis- Atmstrong wont