The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-06-26

uOl, SUN
Il Y ened to sultry, MINDLESS
o 8 night when young couple
II Il X drew rein before the Half
ICN way House. There was n
sound of revelry within when Norris
drew back the door and led the way
through the long hall. obsuucted by
kegs and chairs, to the little back par
Tor where occasional lady travellers
were served with such fare as the place
afforded. The cloth on the table was
dipgy and creased; a fiy-fan creaked
rustly in its slow revolutions, and n
Tat pink moth beat against the chimney
of the oil lamp and finally dropped into
the flame with sizzle OF burning
grease that took away the remnant OF
Elenor's waning appetite. She leaned
back in her chair TO listen TO the music
of piano and violin, which kept well
ahead Of the shuflilng feet scraping to
and fro in the dance hall
Sounds oddly familiar" she muir
INJURED.
Eastern airs usually circle out here
in the course OF two or three years"
Norris remarked, uncorking the fizzing
soda.
They sound wonderfully sweet way
out here. even the dullest Of them" the
girl answered, with n hint OF longing.
"Oh. come, Elenor, you're never get
ting homesick at this late hourr' Nor
ris laughed. But something in his voice
made her look searchingly at his stu
diously averted face.
You have something TO tell me, Nor.
rls," she said, suddenly leaning forward
and touching his hand.
why, as n matter Of fact have"
ne answered placidly But first drink
your coffee. You look tired out"
Something that will hurt me-" she
persisted.
''Well, not personally, hope Drink
your coffee, please, then III tell you"
She drained the bitter, lukewarm
draught submissively, then pushed
aside her plate, and folding both hands
over the edge Of the table. leaned to-
ward him expectantly
We'll" he began. there was an ac-
cident here last night. A man got in
a row with Mexican puncher, who
knitted him pretty badly. Seems that
the wounded man is from the East.
fclnd that he knew some people we
know, among them Jack Grandis."
"Ies. Go on. Something about Jack,
isn't it?'
well, yes. He did speak of Jacks
hard luck. Elenor, does that man still
stand in my light?"
\ curious change came over her face.
a look which Norris, who thought he
knew her every emotion had never
seen there before.
Does he, Elenor?" he persisted, qui-
city, but doggedly.
mo, Norris, thank God, no!' she an
swered in voice that hurt him cruelty.
HE is only the shadow OF the man that
once stood in your light"
Yet you once loved him more than
you care for me-"
"Yes-I loved him even more than |
love you, and he sighted and wounded
my love- She paused and searched
his eyes. which were very gentle and
also very grave.
Norris. you know n lot about life,
but you'll never in the world believe
what that awakening cost mew There
were tears in her voice, but her eyes
were hard and bright as polished stone.
But that is all past and done with
now?'
Forever. What have you to tell me
about Jack?"
He is here in this house, hurt.
Strange 10 say. he recognized me at
once last night He asked for you.
and that is why ! brought you here.
because it seemed heartless to deny q
dying man"
For the space Of ten long heart-beats
she looked speechlessly into his eyes.
her face paling and reddening in wave.
like succession.
''He is not dying surelyw She whis-
pered so low that il was impossible To
hear her voice. but the thought was
clearly written in her eyes.
"They are afraid so. in any other
case i should not have brought you
here. ! think had better prepare him
for your presence while you wait
here"
But she would not be left alone
They met the surgeon at the door oi
the sick-room. "IIe is still under tn,
influence Of morphia" he informed
them briefly. "lll leave his door ajar
When he wakes you can 90 in"
Norris stepped softly within the bar,
little lean-to where the yellow candl,
flame diffused pallid glow on the fac,
OF the man who had once stood In hi
light. 1t was n very young face an,
siIgularly handsome in spite of ID
deathly pallor and its deep shadows o
Eain and WEAKNESS. Norris knew h'
rivai's history in;imately-hls rockies
Good- fellowship the in;emJesGnce az,