Arizona republican., 1901-01-14

Sitt oNtNh upVi iihpoisC. sihc was CH- cited. l have tried to make her happy in our isolation. l think I have sue ceeded. But we are very much alone. We seldom have a visitor except now and then a cowboy by the name of Jack Harper. He is a fine man, and he ard Vahatha are happy together
 The mans head was bowed and turn ed slightly to one side. otherwise he might have observed the shadows of passion. unrest, eagerness, fear and ma lightly tha's chased each other across the woman's face. When he finally looked up and resumed ngurr in bronze could not havs been more ex. pressionless.
 T have taught her much. She is very bright and absorbs knowledge. She approaches book wistfully: she leaves it lingerinsly. We have been happy together How much she Is 10 me words cannot tell. Only the an- guage of love, which is dum5-it alone could tell. To give her up would be to give all. Years ago it is said Patrl- arch laid his only son on burning pile. Duty required living sacrifice. It is so today. l give Vahatha up be- cause I love. You have money. You can rear her in comfort. You can send her to school, to college. Your monry will irrigate the desert rose, and it will bloom radiantly, gloriously."
 "Pity you wasn't preacher, said the Queen" contemptuously. "Or at least Sunday school teacher. You talk like a book Nevur heard sich stuff since Hec was pup. Why don't you stamp around and swear? Mebby somebody d pay some attention to your chin mu- sic them
 If there was the least bit of contrition in her heart it did not shcw in the glint of her eyes or the snarlng Of her nose.
 What do you want for tne gal?"
 "Want-want for hero "Yes, want for her. l suppose you'll want to be set up in business in ex- ! change for your generosity. What are the conditions?"
 "There are no conditions, Sarah. I ! would keep her if I could. ] cannot. | Therefore I give her to you. You cal care for hcr-educate her Her pros- | perity her happiness, will be sufficient reward
 He was aging rapidly. His Shrink | ing was almost visible. Pain petrifies amazingly fast. .-. Well, we'll call in the gal. If she wants to stay I guess shn kin There was very earnest motherly yearning in her heart. Her hope that ] Vahatha would elect to remain with her was the most fervent prayer she had ever given birth.
 "Vahatha. dear" began MT. Graham, | when the girl entered. ''I-'we-that ! .s--" He could not go on. Sobs from the deercst depths of his being con- vulsed his frame. Tre mbllngly he turned away.
 We've been talking about you.' said Mrs. Graham, stepping he. lcfo.e she | could reach hrr father,
 "How would you like to go to ! school?'
 Very, very much" replied Vaha- tha. Hope gleamed between the rifts of | grief.
 That is if--if everything is all right again" She looked eagerly, anxious ] ly from one to the other. 'Is every thing well with you two? Tell me, dad. Quick, tell me- | When he turned away she turned to her mother.
 "Tell me what you have done. Have you and father settled all-all differpn- ccs? Are you to be united again? C., if that is true. l would be so happy ! Then could go to school T."
 If you wait till then, my gal, I'm l afraid you'll never see the inside Of a school house. This is what wr'Vc agreed to. If you come to me I'll send you to school, though don't believe in schoolin much. But I'll do it. But you are to leave him, understand, leave him entirely"
 Leave father! Leave dear old dad' Never. What do I care for schools or | learning or the knowledge of books when dad and his happiness is concern ed? Come away. daddi, Let's go back 10 our little shack. Let's go where love is, and-and peace. Let's leave this ! loveless place. t1is--this-" l She could say no more, She was choking. As she talked she had been ! leading her father to the door, and when it was reached she turned to fl,e woman standing immovable in the mid | dle of the room. The white Of insult and rage had banished the red of hap- piness in her checks. Her eyes alter nately blazed and beloved. Three times she opened her lips to speak. ere she discovered that she was voicsless. Then she turned, and taking her father 1 by the arm, led him away.
 As neither of them looked back they did not see a white face perrlng after them from between the calico curtains that covered the window. Nor could they kn5w that hard, cruel woman stretched forth her arms appealingly while great hungsr gnawed her heart | Nor could they know that this woman sat down on the floor and rocked tn anguish, that much resembled remors', far Into the night.
 Somehow the two starved creatures found the way 10 the tco of the canyon on their return home. Somehow they
 stumbled down the narrow trail, but when they stopped to drink of the wa
 ter there they were too weak to get ur again. so they cuddled in each othrrs arms and knew no more.
 It was thus that Jack found them ar
 hou, later, and 1t was long before he could rouse them to partake of juicy
 venlson steaks and the hot coffee he