The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-01-18
W.
A Christmas in


Glands of, she promised the first
waltz to me"
The two men hurried toward the
/ group. The woman looked frightened
and cried; "I'll dance with both. 4"
'No you won'tn' exclaimed the dark
man and drew her up from the
chair.
In an instant the hand of Henry
Ford sought his belt. Something
glistened in the light. Quicker than
thought Handsome illnashed pistol
in the air, and there was quick,
sharp report.
The Canadian police were there i'm
second; for no mining camp has ever
had such an efficient police force as
Dawson City. Henry Ford lay
stretched on the floor. The fair
woman called Lily leaned over him,
calling his name piteously. Hand
some Bill realized what he had done.
and a look of regret passed over his
dark face. 81 could nothelp it, boys.
he was going to shoot me. " he said,
then turned to the officer and gave
himself up. The woman, Babe. kept
near to him, saying over and over,
1T was not his fault"
Some of the players rushed to the
scene, others went quietly on with the
game. The sound of poker chips
mingled with the low means of the
wounded man.
The old man bent over him. II was
afraid of this-poor boy" he MUIR
INJURED and brushed the fair hair back
from the boyish face.
George Hardin's eyes were moist,
go for a DOCTOR" he said, then add
ed regretfully, 81 cannot take him
home. Tomorrow is Christmas and |
cannot spoil Maggie's day. She
must not know of this until after to-
morrow"
"You are right, replied old Sludge,
Father Mcneil will take good care
of him. They are good friends"
Meanwhile the woman Lily never let
go her clasp of the unconscious mans
hand.
When the doctor came he said the
wound was dangerous, but hecould not
tell the results. Then they tenderly
carried him through the bitter cold to
the hospital near by. The moon was
just rising. Against the inky black
ness flashed the northern lights like a
bright fan in the hands of coquettish
woman. One moment pink, then a
purple shade, then crimson until
every color had flashed forth. finally
settling into soft, mellow violet. The
moon rose higher and higher, and
cast halo over the little group, max
ing them look like an old Norwegian
picture with its background of blue
atmosphere.
At the door of the hospital Father
Mcneil met them. He wa, always
there in the evening, aIwuy, waiting
10 welcome anyunfortunatewh should
come or be brought.
The lamps and fires were kept bright,
and lmiments and food were kept
ready. Many had come and money were
ever known who had been turned
away.
Sometimes, II man who had been lost
ON the trail, reached the settlement at
last with limbs frozen and healthgone
forever. Father Mcneil cared for him
until he could go forth on crutches,
and then managed to raise money to
send him home, If he died, it was the
Old priest who listened to his last mes
Sages, and iprayed earnestly for his
souls salvation. And often, very
often, in Dawson City, Il lonely corpse
was followed to the grave, by no one,
save the pail bearers and Father Nc
Neil.
Sometimes, it was an erring woman,
east out by everyone-even in "a min
ing camp-and coming to Father Nc
Neil, she was taken in until she lcould
battle with the world once more.
The priest was an old man now.
Years ago he had come into Alaska to
convert the natives and Indians. The
Indians were still dear to him. The
natives we're as his children: and when
the Americans and British came, his
heart was large enough for them too.
His face was but reflection, as all
faces are, of the life he led. 1t was
sweet and gentle, with sad, yet merry
eyes. Tonight when he saw the man
who claimed his care, the sadness
deepened and he murmured $50 this
is the end" The doctor ordered that
he be kept quiet, SO the men went away,
but the woman, Lily stayed and wait
ed throughout the night.
Christmas morning came, but all was
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