The Red Cloud chief., 1901-11-22

little hatred, he seldom came down
from his suburban huff, indeed,
Bear Creek could boast Of anything so
~pretentious as suburbs. Naturally
enough the hatred for or Jim" him.
self fell also upon the innocent heads
OF the men who worked under him.
So that the village of Bear Greek and
CT Jim's Place." as 1t was called.
were as two hostile cities encamped
against each other.
But as Time rolled on Tobe johnson
failed to get his share of Bear Creeks
disapproval and dislike. He was re-
garded as a good-hearted fellow OF
friendly disposition, yet with as strong
q Will and as firm a courage rs was
to be found In the two camps. Furth-
ermore. he was a worker, and spent
most of his time away from the gamb-
ling dens and saloons-something
which the miners usually failed to do.
One day johnson was informed that
no was the proud possessor OF n o
and heir. But his boy came ut a dear,
dear price ; the father. The frail
ulOtutis WcdtiSu u WIN W inv hat
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 q 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 we'll again.
she can't die 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 n~eighboring miners did
al. they could to help the unfortunate
husband. The gentle der1eanor OF the
young wife had planted n touch OF ten
derness In their rough breasts.
But II o was seen that the strug-
gle would not last long. And one day,
just as the bright sunlight Of .4e att
ernoon began to fade into the deeper
shadows Of the evening. the mother
br,athed a soft sigh and passed to the
| realms eternal.
After the funeral was over and b
miners had returned to their work.
| lobe Johnson returned to his hut a
cad 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 80 great was his sorrow. He
left the lonely cottage apd walked
down into the village. The little
nalf-breed girl sat all night by the
| cradle waiting for his returning foot
steps; but no sound broke the still
no is 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 stumbling 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 q man came In. 1t was lobe
Johnson, his eyes bloodshot with
drink and dissipation. For a moment
he gazed e~xpectantly 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 da.k 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 and gaming
tables. For the moment he seemed
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.
mo, by lingo. / won't go!' he cried
nercely to the men. For the moment
they were stupefed. Then they bowet
,-eir heads and walked slowly from
the room.
WAS 1t the look In the soft blu'
eyes?" they unused. WAS 1t the smile
of his lost love he saw"