Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-07-16
III.

The Man had not heard from the
Girl for a week or two. Then he re-
ceiyed a scrawled note telling him she
was Ill. He felt sorry, and sent her a
pile OF books and magazines to read.
Then he dispatched a huge box of cam
dy and some roses, and felt that he
had done all that the situation could
demand of him.
No letter came from her. TWO weeks
rolled by, and he received a few lines
from her mother, telling him that the
Girl was critically ILL., -Four days later
a telegram from the same source babe
him come at once. Upon arriving he
found that she had typhoid fever. and
In her dellrium called for him con-
stantly. and could not be quieted. So
the physicians decided he must be sent
for.
He was taken into the room where
she was. She was dalirious and his
name was on her lips frequently. He
sat down by the bedside and took her
hand. She looked at him in a dazed
sort Of way. and then CLEAN OF in
telligence fitted across her wan face,
as she smiled family.
She was taken with wild fear tina.
he would not marry her. Perhaps the
subtle seventh sense of woman, her in
tuition. had told her that his love for
her had waned-at any rate, she SEEM
ed possessed of the idea that she would
lose him. Nothing would calm her.
not even his presence. The doctors
shook their heads grayely as they con-
suited together. The crisis had come
At last II was over. She slept, but
life hung by a slender thread. She
awakened weak and dazed and again
called for the Man. and when he came
TO the bedside she seemed seized with
dread that he would leave her. Ar
gument did no good; she became more
excited, and the fever began to rise.
She wanted him TO marry her upon the
spot. The physicians consulted again.
1T must be done-she must be quiet
ed" they declared.
The Man forced down a great lump
in his throat He was as white as the
sheets upon the bed. His senses swan.
| He would not let himself think-he
dared not. Her parents looked at him
inquiringiy, and he bowed his head in
| silent acuuiescence.
The minister came, and every word
of the short and simple service was
| burned into the brain of the Man as
\ though with white-hot iron. He
went through with it as though in
| trance. and at iast he looked into her
eyes. bright with feverish light. Then
/ ne bent over and kissed her gently up
/ on her forehead and she fell asleep
/ holding his hand tightly. and on her
lips there was peaceful smile
In the dark watches Of the night the
Man stole silently from the house and
down the lawn. Under a great oak
tree be fell PROSTATE upon the dank
| grass and groaned aloud in his misery.
sealding. bitter tears. wrung from the
| bottom Of his soul. weiled into his
eyes as the realization of his loss
dawned upon him. The stars above
seemed plying eyes TO him-but they
were as the eyes of the Woman.
He saw the Woman again. soon after
his wife was sufficiently recovered for
him TO leave her. He told the Woman
| all. And the wondrous shadows in her
eyes deepened. and the tears welled ST.
lently up and dropped softly upon their
| tightly clasped hands. lie told her the
| things he had never said 20 her-and
she listened. And then she put her
arms about his neck and whispered:
You did right"
God helping me-" he said. solemnly,
Il viii try to make her happy, and
bear my cross like a man. And she
never shall know
The Woman looked at him proudly.
and then kissed him almost reverently
| upon the ips.-Exchange.