The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-08-19

his work at the foundry, Peter
W Gurney wearily plodded his way
home. A great longing for the rest ana
comfort of his lodgings came over him,
and braced his tired muscles into ac-
tiyity again, as he turned down the
dingy street In which he lived. There
was only one redeeming feature III
Worship lane, and that was NO. ~
and before its gate Gurney stood Win
admiring eyes. Bright green paint
shone on door and railing-a row or
sickly flowers struggled to show their
bloom in a box on the front WINDOW,
and neat window curtains hid the room
within.
at do look wonderful smart, but not
half smart enough for her., he NUT
tered as he pushed open the gate ana
opened the door.
Carefully wiping his boots on the
tiny mat, he went straight to the
kitchen.
"Where's Dickr' said voice from
the scullery beyond.
Hes got some errands-hell be back
In a Bit" he answered, as he sat In an
arm chair before the fire and gaZed
approvingly around. Bright oleographs
were neatly fastened to the paper; the
wooden chairs and table were spotless-
" clean and the CRATE was as bright
as labor could make it.
"Well, Peter, how do you like my
pictures?' said a pleasant voice; and
Mrs Dart, drying her hands, came Into
the kitchen. Her trim, neat figure, her
hnr fQnQ
all proclaimed her foreign descent, and,
together with her tidy house and smart
dress, brought down upon her the scorn
and hatred Of her neighbors.
The big man looked at her with a
wistful look, which she seemed to find
embarrassing, for she began getting
ready the supper.
LASS" he said, turning his back to
her and leaning over the fire, "1'n not
be saying as how I haven't been well
cared for here, or that my lodge amt
comfortable, but-Fm going to find an
other, lass, If 1 can."
The girls face grew paler yet, and
her eyes contracted and dilated in her
agitation.
"Going to leave us, Peter2 When
we've been such good friends. Why,
what have Dick or I done that you
should go awayf A little catch in her
voice and the tremble of her chin
warned him that tears were near at
hand, and he sprang up and turned
toward her.
"Ah, lass, you don't understand.
Can't you see I mustn't stop here no
longerY'
''Pve offended you, Peter" she said,
wilfully, not seeing his meaning.
''No, lass, you amt offended me, nor
couldn't if you tried; but it's-well-1
must tell it. The first day come here
loved you, lass, and as it was. so it is,
and 1 can't stay here; don't you see
can'tY' His voice rose and trembled
kssion. |, lass, you can't tell
Ye longed4or you, how I've hum
gered FOR you, night and day. Your
face comes in front of my work-your
face is with me always-for I love
you"
Maddened by his grief, he threw his
scruples to the winds, and strained her
to his breast with n force that fright
ened her; she tore herself away and
stood painting In front of him. A heavy
footstep sounded on. the flagstones out
side, and a loud, CHEEKY voice called
out, SIS Peter in, MissisP
The pair stood looking at each other,
and, with heartbroken sigh, Gurney
turned away and went silently to his
room.
At half-past the two men left the
house for their days work In gloomy
silence fierce hatred for his chum,
nursed by the evil thought of sleep
less night, filed Peters mind, leaving
no time for idle talk. Come what
might he had resolved In some way to
thrust his chum out Of the way. Sup
pose he tripped when carrying a
bucket of molten iron?" whispered the
tempter; at wouldn't be your fault.
Supposing you pushed him into the pit
of molten steel, who would suspect
you, his chumr'
With these thoughts racing through
his mind, Peter began the afternoons s
work Of shell casting. Groups of men,
each carrying a long iron pole sheathed
at the end with wood, approached a
large furnace; a hole was knocked in
the end, and a small stream Of molten
. kissing steel flowed out, sending show
ers Of sparks in the air. With long
hook the foreman pushed iron buckets
rrpdnr tho flowing riyuIet of metal