Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1903-10-02

that he had stumbled Ger a stone, sup-
posed TO have tumbled from a truck
afore him, and the truck 'ad broke his
back. | wor a bit sorry at first, and
then | began 10 be afraid they might
nobody, and the inquest said as how
'twere a accident. and | didna trouble
myself. Then LIZ and l wor spliced,
and though we quarreled yet would
a done anythin' for her Thee know'st
1t, dostna, LIZ"
The woman looked up. Her face
was pale In the extreme; her black
eyes blazed, and her fingers twitcbed
She rose and approached the bedside
Murderer she Kissed between her
clenched teeth.
All, Lizw the man replied calmly
enough, tbs no good a-callin me that
now; what Incest better do Is to fetch
preachin' chap to pray for mel
"A preachln' chap. Mol I did like
thee bit till now, but-A prea chin
chap" she broke of In a voice of su-
preme disdain and mockery. Nor
Liz! Liz" the mans voice broke In
imploring sobs. Forgive mel Forgive
mel Doctor" and he turned with a
piteous look to me, YAK her to forgive
me-"
The woman was standing with her
hands clenched, and her eyes cleaning
"a statue of Fury. | then noticed, for
the first time, that she was a remark
ably handsome woman, though rather
coarse l went round the bed to her.
Mrs. Grassland" l said quietly,
your husband may not live through
out the night. Do not let him go from
| this world to the next, whatever 1t
may have In store for him, without
your forgiveness. Dent you remem-
Der the old prayer, Father, forgive US
our trespasses, as we forgive those
who trespass against us'f'
The fury gradually died out of the
| woman's face, her hands unclenched,
and tears welled into her eyes. Her
bosom heaved as If suppressed sobs
were almost bursting It; then, as
though the effort were too much she
dropped on her knees beside the bed
and sobbed aloud
Grassland was fast sinking; his
breath came in difficult gasps, and his
dark visage grew almost ashy pale.
"Lizl Lizr' he murmured family,
do you forgive me?"
Still the woman sobbed on. Her
grief was poignant-was 1t for the sim
fulness of her husband or for the
memory of her past lover l asked my
self The old woman-Martha-
was evidently Roman Catholic, cross
ed herself and called upon the Virgin
Saint to have mercy on the unfortu-
nate mans soul, while he, In most en-
dearing tones, implored his wtfes for
| giveness.
AT last the paroxysm of tears spent
| Itself and bhe woman became calmer,
though she still knelt with her face
hidden in her hands. l bent over her
and whispered:
Mrs Grassland, one word to make
him happy. He's dying! Remember
the prayer, Forgive us our trespasses
l
| -'n
| She raised her head. There was q
new light shining on the tear-stained
| face,
Yes" she returned, I'VE should for
give. Years ago, when l went to
Sunday school, was told that! But
| It's hard, sir-so hard-'cause l loved
Jem so, and i'm didna care"
| "Hushw l raised a warning finger.
His lift is ebbing away. Come, Mrs.
| Grassland"
"Lizp'
The name came very family. Cross
lands hand strayed over the coverlet,
and | took hers and placed 1t within
his. She rose, and bending over the
murderer pressed long kiss upon his
forehead. He opened his eyes and met
| hers. and there he read his forgiveness.
A smile Of peace and contentment IL
| lumined his features; he slowly closed
his eyes and sighed, and on that sigh
the stained soul OF Darkie Grassland
tioated over the border TO that land
from which no traveller returns.-Wav-
erley.
-