Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-11-25
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sue, or MS eyes roam round the small
SPACE and the rough furnishings, the
empty chair, waiting for another occu-
pant; the bearskins on the floor; the
bunk in the corner, and the French
Autograph nailed above it-kept for
some fancied likeness, maybe; the
swinging shelf with its few books, and
the rifle against the wall-the dim
candlelght Pickering on these house
hold gods as the neglected wick gets
longer.
Sometimes he stares dreamily on, for
getting all these and the dingy printed
sheet before him. while he puffs away at
his pipe and makes pictures that have
little TO do, perchance, with mining
stocks or California politics, cut OF the
gray smoke wreaths.
And all of a sudden he starts up with
keen, thoroughly awakened light in
his blue eyes-so curiously blue in the
sunburnt face, and, stepping to the
door, filings it wide open, letting in q
great sweep of drenching rain. There
isarother sound outside than the rivers
brawlingwith its powders, and the roar
of .he wind with the pine trees.
Guy hears horses hoofbeats clat-
ter:ng down the canyon, coming nearer
ard nearer; and as he strains his ears
TO listen. he catches n shout, very
faint one, half drowned in the noise OF
the storm.
In another minute the horse and the
rider flash into sight in the bar of red
light that shines through the cabin win
dow, and Guy springs out just in time to
help a reeling, swaying figure down
from the saddle, and support it in his
strong arms inside the door.
Jack Dangerfeld! Good heaven! is
, 1t you, old fellow?"
Jack Dangerfeld's face, in truth
ashy white, wet with the rain that has
tlrenched bis bare head, hollow-eyed,
haggard, touched with the finger of
death.
When Guy half lifts, half drags him
10 the bunk in the corner and tears
open the coat buttoned tight across his
breast, he finds a dark red patch stain
ing the gray flannel shirt.
Drink this down, Jack. Don't say
a word, old man." he orders, briefly and
business like-no wondering or ques-
+ioDipr fo,. n minnie
He holds up the heavy head and puts
the brandy to the stiff, white lips,
watching eagerly till he sees a shade of
color creep into them.
"Give me more" Jack whispers,
hoarsely, closing his hand over Guys
wrist. keep me as long as you can.
Tyc-I've come to-tell you something.
Oh, heaven, for half an hour longer!"
You'll be all right in half an hour.
There, lie down and let me get off these
wet things and tell me, old fellow, for
heavens sake, what brings you back
here, and what's happened?"
"Let me alone" mutters Jack, turn
ing his haggard face and wild eyes upon
the kindly, troubled face above him.
Don't bother with me. Only stop this
COMPOUNDED bleeding just till I've told
you, and then it's all up with me, Nc
Leod was shot at dawn by Fire
Forks. 1--we been riding day and
night. l came back here to find you
and Give me your hand. cant see
you clear, Guy"
Guy kneels by the side of the bunk,
and, with such rude surgery as can be
improvised on the moment, lie binds
the ragged bullet hole, from out whose
lips the soul of Jack Dangerfield is
wavering already for its flight. Poor
old jack A kind-hearted, gone-to-the-
dogs fellow, who stood by his side in
many a rough place through their camp
life-who never left him in trouble. but
turned his back at the first streak OF
luck, and set his face homeward again
four months ago-who comes back now,
riding through the night and the storm.
with the death damps thick upon his
wan face and q bullet in his breast.
There" Guy says, bending down.
"tal,e one more swallow, Jact-there!
I'm close to you, listening to you, dem
boy"
I've been home" the dying man sobs
out between the breaths that come so
hard-"homel And I've seen her-lve
seen Ethel Mason"
ethel Mason?"
There isn't but enc, is there? Only
one for you and me, too, Mcleod.
found her in my mothers house, and
YOU know the old story. She was sorry,
and she would be my friend and help
me. And she loved another man."
"Why are you telling me this, Danger
field?" Guy asks, hoarsely, the color
wavering in his bronzed face. by
heaven! 1 don't know what you
meanl"
you don't?" Jack lifts his head,
rises with great struggle on his arm
and stares full into Mcl.eod's blue eyes.
you don't know that face? Tell me
the truth, as you hope for Gods mercy
Guy Mcleod"
His weak hand has CROPPED and found
something in his breast-inside the
gray shirt. 1t is a woman's picture.
the edges Redeemed with that spreading
stain, and Guy looks at it and mutters
a great oath under his breath through
trembling lips.
You don't know it. It's she-your
Etbel-my cousin Ethel. For heavens
sake go back to her, Guy-go back and
tell her l sent OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
she was sorry
your cousin?" stammars Guy.
81 knew you were the man," Jack
whispers, very weakly. 81 saw your
face in her locket and your name, and
so l came to tell you. She said-wait'
1 remember every word-'she never
could give another man what she had
given him-the only man she ever cared
for or ever could And she meant