River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-11-11

rsnt, 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
candlelight Pickering on these house
hold gods as the neglected wick gets
longer.
Sometimes he starcs dreamily ON. for
getting all these and the diBgy printed
sheet before him. while he puffs away a;
bic pipe and makes pictures that have
little TO do, perchance. with mining
stocks or California politics. out of the
gray smoke wreaths.
And all OF a sudden ne starts up with
a keen, thoroughly awakened light IN
HE blue eyes-so curiorsly blue in the
sunburnt face, and, stepping to the
door, filings II wide open, letting in a
great sweep OF drenching rain. There
is another sound outside than the rivers
brawling with its powders, and the roar
of the wind with the pine trees.
Guy hears a horses hoofbeats clat
tering dol n the canyon, coming nearer
Bnd nearer; and as he strains his ears
TO listen, he catches a shout, a very
faint one, half drowned in the noise OF
the storm.
In another minute the horse and the
rider fash into sight in the bar of red
light that shines through the cabin win
dow, and Guy springs out just in time 10
help reeling, swaying figure down
from the saddle, and support il in hi,
strong arms inside the door.
Jack Dangerfeldl Good heaven! {,
il you. old fellow2"
Jack Dangerfield's face, in truth
ashy white. wet with the rain that ha,
drenched his bare head, hollow-eyed
haggard. touched with the finger OF
death.
When Guy half lifts. ha. drags him
TO the bunk i'm the corner and tears
open the coat buttoned tight across his
breast, he finds n dark red PAT III stain
ing the gray flannel shirt.
Drink this down, Jack Don't say
a word. old man." he orders, briefly md
business like-no wondering or ques-
tiOning for a minute.
He holds up the heavy head and puts
the brandy 10 tine stiff, white lips,
watching eagerly till he sees 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.
rve-l've come to-tell you something.
Oh. heaven. for half an hour longer!"
You'll he ali right in half an hour
There. lie down and let me get off these
vet things and tell me. old fellow, for
heavens sake, what brings you back
here, and what's happened?"
let 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, Me-
Leod. | was shot at dawn by Fire
Forks. 1--we been riding day and
night. | came back here to find you
and Give me your hand. can't see
YOU clear, Guy"
Guy kueels by the side of the bunk,
and, with such rude surgery as can be
improyised on the moment, he binds
the ragged bullet hole, from out whose
lips the soul OF Jack Dangerfield is
Navering already for its fight. Poor
old jack 4 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 i'm 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 bullet in his breast.
There" Guy says, bending down,
take one more swallow, Jack-there!
I'm close TO you, listening TO you, dear
boy"
"rve been home" the dying man sobs
out between the breaths that come so
hard-"home! And I've seen her-Iye
seen Ethel Mason"
Ethel Mason?"
There isn't but one, is there? Only
one for sou and inc, 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, hosrsely, the color
Uayeriug in his bronzed face. by
heaven. don't know what you
meant"
You don't" Jack lifts his head,
rises with a great struggle on his arm,
and starcs full into McLeod'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. II is woman's picture,
the edges redeemed with that spreading
stain, and Guy looks at il and mutters
great oath under his breath through
trembling lips.
You don't know il. Its she-your
Ethel-my cousin Ethel. For heavens
sake go back TO - Guy-go back and
tell her ! sent observation-disclosures
she was sorry"
Your cousin?" stammers Guy.
II knew YOU were the man." Jack
whispers, very weakly. Il saw your
face in her locket and your name, and
20 came to tell you. She said-wait,
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
you. Guy. She thought you'd never
know. but I've come to bring you the
message for her-just for her sake,
Observation-Disclosures you"
Jack, Jack. Dear old fellow!"
GUYS face hides itself in the blanket.
The rough couch shakes where hi.
strong arms rest upon il.
I've been in the saddle these three
days riding. with all the powers of evil
trying TO drag me back. ! though was
gone when that accursed gang stopped
me tonight. ] rode through them and
rode for my life. though. and-and-
and-you see, I've told you, Guy. But
I've got a bullet in here, and It's all up
with me-"
The words die on his lips.
The heavy eyelids droop and close,
a nd Jack lies breathing short and hard.
while the icy whiteness creeps and
creeps over his face, whose old cynical
fashion has gone forever.
No, no, Jack, dear old man, it can't
be. You shall not diet" staring up and
facing the grim fact in helpless protest.
\ dim, slow smile dawns on the chilly
mouth. and Jacks hands move little
/. worry little-toward his breast.