Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-02-22


infancy. AS he grew into young man
hood the first girl who caught his at
tention received from him a wealth of
silent, all-absorbing devotion which
she was not capable of understanding.
A few years of welded bliss and she
wrecked his life by running away with
an artist who could sing sentimental
songs and make pretty speeches. Guth-
RE heard of her death, but it could not
add one throb to the already bleeding
heart that would not break.
AS the years passed over him he i'm
perceptibly grew into the calm induced
by the wide western plains, and not till
Genie Lyman crossed his path did he
arouse himself to any interest beyond
his ponies. Gradually she awakened
all his old love of loving. She came to
be necessary part of his existence. He
knew that his whole life now depend
ed on her. Should she got out of it
she should not go out of it, With
clenched teeth he swore it, and had
Genie seen the look on his face she
would have tremblea.
But he had won her, even as she had
won him. To her it was Heaven to be
by his side; to him it was He'll, in the
fear something would take her from
him.
When they reached home that even
ing. as he lifted her from the pony, he
held her closely, almost fiercely, to
him.
Tell me, Genie.'' he whispered. is
there any one in the east for whom
you once cared-who might ever come
between us? Be honest, little girl
Yes, Guthrie, there was some one L
thought 1 loved with my whole heart.
1 didn't think any one could ever be
dearer to me or make me lose sight of
my duty to him. But you have, Guth-
rie; you have almost made me forget
him"
He turned as white as the pale moon
light that enveloped them. That al
most cut him to the quick; and if she
had forgotten one man for him
wouldn't she forget him for another?
At that moment Bob opened the door.
Hello he called. Come in, Guth-
rie. A lot of mail-letters from home
came down for you, Genie"
At the magic word mail she hur-
ried inside leaving the two men talk
ing together.
Soon Bob went on to the stables and
Guthrie entered the house. She did
not see him enter nor feel his presence
as he crossed over and stood behind
her.
She sat gazing at the photograph of
| a handsome boyish young face. The
tears were streaming down her cheeks.
| and from time to time she bent for
ward and kissed the picture. ''Mer-
ton." she murmured. Merton, 1 had
almost forgotten you, dear"
Guthrie bent over her. rs this the
81
he whispered. hoarsely.
Eyes, Guthrie, l had forgotten how
much he was to me. l have been self
ish. His dear face seems to reproach
me- Guthrie, it is my
A quick backward movement, a
sharp Click" and Guthrie BIclock
sank Imply into a chair. letting his
pistol fall to the floor. He had for
gotten that the last charge had been
spent on the rattlesnake; that only
saved him from self murder.
Guthrie, Guthrie cried Genie,
springing to his side '-Oh. tell me what
is the trouble At that moment Bob
entered Guthrie rose to leave, white
and terrible to see.
sit down man." commanded Bob,
seeing that something had gone wrong
and unwilling for him to leave in such
a state. He thought Genie had refused
him. To divert attention he picked
up the photograph lying on the table
"Ah. a new picture of the kid We
can't call him little brother any long
er, can we. Gene?"
Slowly a light began to dawn in
| Guthrie's set sunken eyes
| lis he your brother?" he demanded.
Yes. dear: the only man who could
| share my love with you"