The daily morning Alaskan. (Skagway, Alaska) 1899-1904, 1902-08-05

TIE world, mother" Jim eontendod
III there hadn't " been, what do you
s'pose the Lord put me here forr
She looked him over as he stood IN
the doorway tho very picture Of care.
less indifference and shiftless good ma.
turo.
Well" she replied. hes tho only
one that knows, and he amt told yet"
When Mary Candy discovered that
Jim was beginning TO "act foolish, Z"
she promptly but kindly told him OF
tho utter uselessness Of his suit.
"Nyhy don't you want TO marry me,
Nary he asked In a dull. dazed way,
az n not eomprehending the full pur-
port OF her decision. "We've always
been friends, and you know you like
me-"
Il know, Jlm,' she said gently, 'but
nike Is not love. and one cannot marry
without love"
EDO you love anybody elser' he ask
"a, quickening a little. Eve heard
that you thought good deal Of Jack
Murfn and him OF you"
Mary Candy was not eoQuettng with
Jim Doty.
-YeS Jim, do" sho answered
frankly, "and Jack and are to be
married as soon as school closes for
the summer"
Jim choked, and the tears came to
his eyes
mother said I wasn't any use in the
world and guess I amt" he said
bitterly. hopelessly.
'Oh, yes, you are, JIM" she encour-
aged him. ''Your chance hasn't come
yet. but II will"
Il dunno" no sighed despoiringly,
and turning away. be walked slowly
homeward alone.
The village knew what was the mat
ter with Jim for the next month or
more. but II was eonsiderate Of his sui
fering, and be heard no Jeering word
nor the laugh that hurts.
Two weeks before the school closed
Jim was down az the railroad shops
where Jack Murln was foreman. Hewas
there chiefly because be did not hap
pen 70 be elsewhere at the moment, and
be was sitting In tho shade whiting
Possibly he was somewhat more ac'
tive than usual and was thinking, for
be had Just seen Jack Murhn walking
across the yards toward a gap in the
fence, and be knew the date Of Jacks
wedding Day, They were net friends
IN the sense OF associates. but Jack did
not care how much Jim enjoyed him.
sclf about the place 20 long as he did
not interfere with business. and jim
had never been given 20 interfering
with business II II did not interfere
with him
Intent upon bis thoughts, Jim con
tlRued whiting until presently he was
recalled 70 his surroundings by shout
Of alarm. Il was Jacks voice, and
looking through the gap IN the fence
he saw Jack lying across the rails, with
his leg twisted under him aud his foot
fast IN a frog. He had passed out 70
the main trucks. and Jim heard train
coming. Quicker than be had ever
moved before IN nll his stngnant life
he cleared the space between them and
stood IN the track over his rivals body
The heavy engine coming down had
been reversed, but too late. and no pow
er on earth could stop II. But Jim new.
er faltered. Lifting the PROSTATE man
to q sitting position. he wrenched his
foot from the fatal clutch. and, with q
giants strength, he flung him outside
the rails.
When Jim's body was picked up q
few minutes later. little life remain.
ed-just a autterlng spark, but enough
to give the light that never fades.
"Jim. JimF cried Murfn. taking him
IN his arms
"Its all right now. Jack" whispered
Jim, opening his eyes and smiling
"Mary said I was some use In the
world and my chance would come some
Tina Tell her.
His words had come painfully and In
gaapS. and they stopped with the sen.
tenco unfinished But Jack knew what
to tell Mary.