Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-11-22


little was said by any Of them through-
out the long two miles Of the journey.
save only by Chalse, who never ceased
to mutter dark sayings to himself.
whereof the chief were praises to God
for delivering them without loss OF life
or limb or hand or even out of a den of
lions, for, thanks be 70 the Lord! He
had drawn their teeth.
Now though the world is hard enough
on good man in the hour Of his trQu-
| BILE, there are ever more tender hearts
to compassionate his distresses than
bitter ones to triumph over his ad-
versity. and when Adam Fairbrother
came to Ramsey many door was
thrown open to him by such as TAre
mindful Of his former state and found
| nothing in his present fall to merit
their resentment. No hospitality would
he accept, however, but took up his
abode with Greeba in a little lodging in
| the market place, with its. face to the
cross and its back toward the sea. And
being safely housed there, he thanked
1
strong arm, and bade him come again
i at 10 O'Clock that night, If so be that
he was in the way of doing last
service for poor soul who might never
again have 1t in his power to repay.
| ''Pu come back at ten," said Jason,
simply, and so he left them for the
present.
| And when he was gone Adam said to
Greeba as he turned indoors, "a fine
lad that, and as simple as child, but
woe 60 the man who deceives him. Ay,
or to the woman either. But you'll new
err do it, girl? Eth? Never? Never?"
"Why, father, what can you mean?
Are we not going away together" said
Greeba-
True, child, true said Adam; and
so without further answer to her ques-
ton, twice repeated, he passed with her
| into the house, E2F
| But Adam had his meaning as we'll rs
his reason for hiding 1t. Through the
silent walk from Lague he had re-
volved their position and come to
fixed resolution concerning it. In the
| heat of his emotion it had lifted NJ
his heart that Greeba had chosen pow
erty with him before plenty with her
mother and her brothers, but when his
| passion had cooled he rebuked himself
for permitting her to do SO. What right
| had he to drag her through the slough
Of his own necessities! He was for 60
| ing away, not knowing the fate that
was before him, but On what plea made
to his conscience dare he take her with
him? He was old. his life was behind
| him, and. save herself. ne had no ties.
| What did it matter 10 him how his
struggles should end? But she was
young, she was beautiful, she might
form new friendships. the world was
| before her, the world might yet be Al
| her feet, and life, so sweet and so sac
! and yet SO good thing withal W
ready and waiting for her.
Once he thought Of Michael Suniocks
and that the arms that would be open
to himself IN that distant land would
not be closed TO Greeba. And once he
thought OF Jason, and that to leave her
| behind was to help the schemes tha:
! would bring them together. But put
as he would, no farther could ne get
| than this. that she must stay. and H.
must iyo alone.
| Yet. knowing the strength OF her
purpose, he concealed his intention, and
1 L. h1,t
work OF preparation very artfully- II
was Friday. and still not far past noon,
when they reached their lodging by
the cross After hasty meal he set
| out into the town, leaving Greeba to
rest. for she had walked far since
early morning. At the quay he in
quired the date of vessel that called
| there on it's passage from Ireland to
| Iceland and to his surprise he found
| that she was even then III the harhor,
and would go out with the first t.de
of the next day. which would flow at
o'clock In the morning. 4,
| Thereupon ne engaged his berth. and
paid for his passage. It cost Eix posu1s
|
| for rations. The trip was calculated
| to last one month with fair wind and
weat ther, such as then promised. Adam
counted the cost, and saw that with
| all present debts discharged and future
ones considered. he might have some
| thing between six and seven pounds In
! his pocket when he set foot IN Reyk-
| javik. Being satisfied with this pros
pect, he went to the High Bailiff for his
| license TO leave the island.
| Greeba had heard nothing of this.
| and as soon as night fell in she went up
| to bed at her fathers entreaty. Her
room was at the back Of the house aud
| looked out over the sea. and there she
saw the moon rise over the waters as
| she undressed and laid down to steep.
Prompt u. his hour Jason came. ana
then Adam told him all.
"I am going far away" he said. ''fsr
away, indeed into your own country.
go tonight, though my daughter, who
| is asleep, knows nothing of my inteti-
| ton. VIII you do me service?'