Arizona republican., 1901-03-04

{" ANstASi oiNsiSs OhNc OCAoit NiidN iib iit he had grappled with Dcath. and had not been thrown. and so he rushed to the fray with renewed courage
 O. it was grand! his valiant, un- daunted duel with Death.
 Not once did he retrea, not once did he lose faith; not once did he slacken his efforts. All night long he struggled and fought. and just as the morning light streaked the eastern sky he sighed prayer of thanks--for he knew he had won the fight.
 There was feeble gasp for breath. and a tiny quiver about the heart; a weak tremor of the flesh, a spasm of the pulse. and a small, pink spot flush ing each pallid cheek
 He had some gruel ready, and some tea, so when the eye-lids weakly lifted. showing the dull light beneath, he poured a few sroonfuls into his mouth and they were eagerly swallowed Soon the eye-lids slowly closed again, n,opened, languidly dropped. and sleep settled OCT him like dove.
 Then Jack wer'. about his task calm ly and msthodically. for his mind was made up. The dishes were ceansed and the room tldied. Meat beans and potatoes we're prepared and pu. in sight and the table neatly spread, for the man would be hungry when he awoke.
 Then he wrote a short note, gathered up a few trinkeis of his own that he greatly cherished, packed his valise and went out. His feet had scarcely left the threshold till he was back again He halted in the doorway, advanced. T-theated. declared he wouldn't. that had done enough. that he would die frat backed to the door again. drew his hand nervously across his wet face, and then tottered uo to the bedside.
 He stopped and kissed the pallid cheek and brow. Then he placed his right hand on the iong silky hair that streaked the white pillow, and knelt by the bed in silent prayer Then, without looking back he closed the door and walked toward the corral where his pet mare greeted him with joyful whinnie
 He quickly saddled her and rode swift!y away gripping his teeth to keep back the sobs. and holding his neck muscles rigid that he could not look back.
 And so he left the Harper ranch for ever.
 ss .
 Jim awoke shortly afternoon. After a period of dazed wonder he slipped his f@et to the f5or and sat upright, star ing about him in bewilderment. Soon memory flashed The events of the past tweenty-four hours upon his brain and he looked fearfully. yet hopefully. around. He stood up. scarcely n1tc- ing the stiffness of his limbs. and made a hurried search through the rooms. hut came back and sat on the bed again. Was 1t dream?
 'The flood might he dream" he muttered weakly. but my being sick and Tn bed at noon is no dream and the fact that someone has been here is patent enough. Was ft-was it--but, rshaw! 1t couldn't be. He Is one hund- red miles away and in--p'-where ought to ne. Then wro was ; Let me see. Let-me-sec. visited her yesterday. There was storm, yes, how vividly 1t all comes back again. God. how it thundered and roarcd. Then I was fleeing for my life and o.1 Barlcycorn ran the fastest race of the period, I'll bet. But what was I fleeing from? An, remember now! and trere yves a man clinging to the wall! Yes. yes. I remember now! It was Jack! And 1t must have been he who rescued me and brought me here. though how he ever did it is a profund mystery. Then 't must-it must have been he o-who-kissed-me, for I am sure l felt a kiss. Dear old fellow; you noble old Jack. you did not know what perffdious wretch you were saluting. If you had known-if you had, you would have thrown rocks at me as hurtled by In that awful torrent. and you would have been justified. too. Yes. justified"
 He paused to wipe his face, and look out toward the corral.
 But where can he be now I must see him, and at once. Better late thln r"ver. they say. and I'll tell him all, yes, all. I'll tell him what wretch I've been; how I took advantage of her ig- norance; how fc-go. him. and thought only of my owr black desires. I'll -I'll-but let me get drink first-it'n be easier then"
 He took long. black bottle from the crnboard and drank long and deeply
 "Ah, that's better, Now I can talk and confess-all--every Pshaw. what am I making such fuss about' What is there to confess after all? His girl loves me and I am going to marry her-the sweetest lass in these United States. An! but whiskey unravels the tanglcs of the brain. I must try an- other swig Good, Good. Confess? We'll, hardly. .T'll see him in hell first. She's mine. I tell you. and I'll have her or de. Put he Is sne1king around here somewhere. I'll just fix for him. Ono or the other II have to die. and I'll be hanged if want to-
 He got his rifle from a corner and walked cautiously to each window in turn and HesrSd slyly out, He could See no one. He waited in silence for a con- siderable time. opposite the door, with the cooked gun in his hands ready to fire as soon as it opened. Then he rose and stepped cautiously out: seeing no one he accommodated the corrals and woods close by, but returned '7ithout spyirg any one.
 As he entered the door his eye caught the sheen from the paper stuck in the cun on tho tahle Ha Snatchod if mt