Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1901-11-30

little hatred, he ee1docn zane down
from his suburban huff, indeed
Bear Creek could boast of anything sc
pretentious ~ suburbs. Naturally
enough the hatred for "Ols Jim, him.
self fell also upon the innocent heads
Of the men who worked under him,
So that the village of Bear Creek and
"OP Jim's Place." as 1t was called.
were as two hostile cities encamped
against each other
But as Time rolled on lobe johnson
failed to get his share of Bear Creeks
disapproval and dislike He was re-
garded as good-hearted fellow of
friendly disposition. yet with as strong
will and as firm a courage as was
to be found in the two camps. F'urth-
ermore, he was worker, and spent
most of his time away from the gamb-
ling dens and misunderstanding
which the miners usually failed to do.
One day Johnson was informed that
he was the proud possessor of q SON
and heir. But his boy came at dear,
dear price the father. The frail
mother. wearied and worn by the hard
life to which she had not been accus-
toned, and without the proper medical
attention to uphold her declining
strength was in imminent danger of
death. For days she lay IN a half
stupor, moaning piteously the while.
Johnsan staid faithfully at her side.
He tried to argue himself into the be-
lief that she would soon be well again.
"She can't de-" he would say hope
fully. I'VE will nurse her back to
health and strength. No, no-sne will
not leave me-" But within the inner
depths of his consciousness he was
afraid. The neighboring miners did
all they could to help the unfortunate
husband. The gentle demeanor of the
young wife had planted touch of ten
derness in their rough breasts.
But it soon was seen that the strug-
gle would not last long. And one day,
just as the bright sunlight of .Ae aft
ernoon began to fade into the deeper
shadows of the evening, the mother
br eathed a soft sigh and passed to the
realms eternal.
After the funeral was over and the
miners had returned to their work,
lobe Johnson returned to his hut
sad and broken-hearted man. The
baby who had caused his grief he
swore he could never love. He never
wished to see the innocent little thing
again SO great was his sorrow. He
down into the village. The little
half-breed girl sat all night by the
cradle waiting for his returning foot
steps; but no sound broke the still
ness of the night save the howl of
some lonely dog outside, or the occa-
sional waking wall of the infant in
her charge. Finally, at day-break.
the shambling footsteps came up the
beaten path. Then a heavy boot beat
roughly at the door for admittance.
Hurriedly opening the door she re-
turned to the cradle. The staggering
figure of a man came in. 1t was lobe
Johnson, his eyes bloodshot with
drink and dissipation. For a moment
he gazed expectantly around the
room "Millie," he called Then see
ing the frightened half-breed beside
the swaying cradle he seemed to re-
ell the incidents of the past few days.
With a dark frown on his brow, he
stumbled over to the lar corner of the
room and fell heavily on the bed
lobe johnson slept long and sound
ly. He was awakened late in the aft
ernoon by the rough voices of the
men with whom he had spent the pre-
vious night. Hardened wretches that
they were, they wished him to return
to tie village-to the bar ana gaming
tables. For the moment he aeemed
ready to yield. Then suddenly from
the cradle came a faint GOO" He
turned quickly to meet the laughing
blue eyes of his baby. He looked
steadily at the little fac twas the
first time since that fatal night Then
he walked quickly to the cradle and
lifted the little thing in his arms.
h fc6
fercely to the men. For the moment
they were stupefed. Then they bowed
l-eir heads and walked slowly from
the room.
WAS 1t the look in the soft blue
eyes?" they unused. WAS it the smile
Of his lost love he saw"