The Holly chieftain., 1898-12-16

Did you ever read story called
Better DeadT don't know the name
Of the crank who wrote it," the doctor
added, modcstly-he was not literary in
his tastes-"but he hit on good phrnse
righf there. I've used it to my own sat
isfaction quite frequently since rend
the thing. There's friend of ours not
FAR from this who were better dead
he is dead. The vital spark has been out
OF him SO long it's indecent TO have
him around, and we may ns well be
frank about it I've lived long enough
IN the west not 10 have many preju.
dices, but there are one or two things
cannot stand. can't stand q coward.
and l can't stand man who doesn't
know how to take care Of his women
folks. To see girl like Miss Bingham
mixed up with such IN outfit us TINT!
Now. II she can't be taken out Of this
place any other way / will elope with her
myself. and that might make trouble
in the family. But there's no need Of
me when here are you two fellows, who
stood by her once before when the old
man went back on her. And she went
under fire for you just MS II she'd been
brought up TO it. Her conduct that
night shows what she can do If re.
quired. It's no slouch of trip I've laid
out for you, and I'm sorry, Darcie, you
had the bad taste 10 get shot, lust as
two arms would have been so mortally
convenient. I'm afraid the journey
will be rough on you"
IT'S no use. DOCTOR" said Dnrcie.
quietly, in the bitterness of despair
that was beyond words; "she will never
go in the world-not with me. They
have shown her that letter, and she
thinks I have lied 10 her; moreover,
accused her to her face of opening II
and reading It herself"
That was pleasant" snid the doctor,
dryly. "Any other little endearments
pass between your Is this your inter.
national style Of courtship? I've won.
dcred how You Englishmen manage TO
get on SO fast with our girls!
"Well, she is thinking about your
safety now. purely on account of the
reparation we owe you at the mine, II
is on her conscience that she wishes she
Knew where you are. haven't told her
yet; it's just as well to let you stay on
her conscience awhile longer; you'll
never stay in safer place, and she has
got to have something there. But don't
presume upon it. Has. it occurred by
this time to your Investigating mind
that there might be ways for a lady
to come by the contents Of letter be.
sides helping herself to it? Do YOU
know that the old mani won't call
him her father-confropted her will
that information you have been COL
lecting and accused her Of helping you
to get it, and of being your .wile nc.
complish' generally ?-on the word of
Ahby!"
Don't make it any worse, doctor!"
pleaded Darcie, humbly. 81 know she
can never forgive that shadow of o
thought in me. Yet it seemed, as she
put it. simple statement of fact"
"Of what fact?"
"That she had read my letter. I'm
not defending myself"
II should hope not" the doctor coin.
cided, while Darcie was realizing that
he had purchased great relief at the
expense Of deeper despair. "Suppose
she had read It? She was the Judge
whether she could read it or not; won.
en- seem to be able to do things that
men can't do, and vice versa, II you've
noticed. Anyhow. when fact about
girl you believe in is impossible on the
foce Of 1t, I wouldn't mcddle with It;
especially II she furnished the fact her.
self. Women and facts are the queerest
things when they get thorough,
mixed; you have simply to choose be-
tween your woman and your facts. In
your case, Darcie. I needn't say I'd take
the woman every time"
"fou would il it wasn't too late,"
said Darcie. ut all comes to the same
thing; she will never go with me. But
il she must go, perhaps she will 20 with
Mike. Tell her, doctor. that I'm not
going. I am not going. I'm going to
stay and finish my work. came here
to do it and shufIled out of it for a
selfish reason; now I intend to see II
through. / was spy; she believes that
am one still. If needful will meet the
AptC "a sPyS ~ SCcluS 10 De meant 1OI
me-"
"oh. come of the roof. and do as you
are told! The orders are, women and
wounded to the rear. You will meet
nll the fate you want between here
and the Old Mission tomorrow night.
Now you needn't stand there looking
as pale as Mikes new pipe disputine
what girl will do or what she won't
do. I'll answer for the girl; she will be
on hand, mind you, to start when you
start. You are to deliver her to my
wife, Mrs. William Simpson, at Spo-
kane. and telegraph me directly you ar.
rive. I'll be in to shake hands by and
by.
mike. see that you cover up all that
fresh enrth in the corner with ashes;
it's less conspicuous in case they get
on to your trail while it is hot"
fro Be coSrINuED.l
Tips to Noblemen's Servants.