Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-10-25
SOUTH PARIS. MAINE. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25 1898

lift with yorr good arm. will your
feel kinder sick. "
The Kid took his friends feet under
his arm, VIII 10 the stranger supported
the shoe Iders
So they staggered ON until they came
to the field hospital
There they laid the wounded man
down with all possible tenderness The
Kid went to hasten surgeon.
As Bill touched the earth his eyes
opened. vacantly ut first, but with grad.
ually increasing intelligence, fury gath
ering in item the while, until they
bent upon the stranger with absolute
ferocity
The other gazed steadily at him.
"Ycu here, you black hearted dog!"
at last said Bill between his teeth. IF
I could raise hand. I'd kill you!"
"Will you listen to me o minute?'
answered the other. II only ask you
for u little time, and every word shall
bs the Gods truth.
A weakness swept across the wounded
man. Life lost its intensity. He nodded
wearily
well, Bill. (" said the stranger In q
halting. abrupt fashion. II was bad
lot-there amt any douht Of it-and
that ny feelings toward Sally were
wrorg | ain I going to deny, but don't
be too hard on the girl. Ii was oil my
fault led her along so quiet and easy
that she didn't suspect ma. That she
didn't understand right away is true,
too: but. Bill. we're all human and
you know Lad the trick Of pleasing
women AS God is my witness, Bill. IL
didn't 20 rs flr as you think. Then.
aud when she understood fully. she
wouldn't let me so much as touch her
hand Still sho felt, poor little soul.
that she was 10 blame In the matter.
and she worked and talked TO me To
show mo what an awful thing we'd
done, She brought up how good you'd
been to both Of u until saw-I saw.
Then enlisted right away-that's
the reason came down hereto see IL
| couldn't get out Of il all in u decent
sort Of way, for am sick Of myself
dead sick. And. Bill. I'll never 60 back
Il feel il in my bones. but even il |
should couldn't trouble you any more,
for the girl gave it up Of her own free
will, which amt little thing ON this
earth, where none Of Us is angels ]
might change again-l know it-l new
or was either good or bad long at time
but sally is different kind. Yos'll
never have cause TO doubt her again.
that's sure "
The wounded man looked ut him with
sad eyes.
"You always were o liar" he said
simply.
That's so; that's 80" assented the
other eagerly. But not this time. Bill.
I wish l could tell with my dying
breath, then you couldn't help but be-
lieye me.
The words had hardly left his mouth
when there was a ripping sound in tho
bush, instantly followed by sharp
"thwuck a piece Of cloth leaped from
the strangers breast A fountain Of
blood spurted after IT,
His eyes were filled with wonder. He
stood erect-so-for fraction OF time;
then the muscles gave way, and he
came crashing to earth. A second later
he raised himsen upon his elbow, s,rug-
Cling with the hurry and confusion OF
his mind He fixed his dimming eyes
upon his enemy, gasping:
"I'm gone, Bill-all true-so help
me-God! Forgive
And he WAS dead.
Bill covered his eyes with his hands.
The vengeance which We gloat over
looks horrible when worked by other
hands The bitterness left his soul, and
a great pity took its place.
"Oh. Lord" he prayed. "send me
back to my little girlr'-Criterion.