The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-10-14

100 early seen ulhHo"n, anu hHV"h
too late,' Shakespeare.
But no answer came to the terrified
cry save the song of thrush in the
elm without.
Papa, papai" in a frenzy OF fear.
Speak to me-speak to me! oh, my
darling-my own darling-just one
word! Papa, papa!"
She dashed to the table and, selling
q carafe, drenched her handkerchief.
She bathed his forehead, his lips; she
rubbed his thin, stiff fingers with her
little, loving hands.
At last the fair head moved with
restless gesture, the heavy lids lifted
themselves from dim, unseeing eyes.
Slowly the girl rose to her feet!
Slowly ia her face dawned pallid
horror. Something in the countenance
before Ler had frozen the warm blood
IN her veins
He had been subject to attacks Of
weakness of late. but not like this
oh, not like this!
AS in a dream she heard the latch
of the garden gate click-heard some
one coming up the path.
She staggered to the easement Her
visitor, an intimate friend of theirs.
and retired physician, caught sight
of the girls white face.
"Why, my dear Miss Laurie" he
cried, In surprise, coming UP to where
she stood and then, catching
glimpse of the other occupant of the
room beyond, he sprang over the low
window sill. what does-it--mean"
Laurie moaned, brokenly:
"He never looked like that before!
See bis eyes! They are quite vacant,
quHe sightless. oh, what can it
mean?"
"Quick!" the doctor commanded:
call the servant We must get him
TO bed at once, for fear this means
nh, little one. be brave--I fear it
means--the end!"
Her lips twitched painfully, but no
sound came from between them.
we nave been trying to deceive
ourselves Of late--we who loved him;
but we knew 1t was coming. Now,
Laurie-Laurie, for his sakei Don't
give way, my dear--don't, for his
nake!"
They bore the stricken man up to
his room and laid him on his bed.
They did all that loving hearts could
suggest and skillful hands could do.
and then they went away and left
them alone together-father and child.
The last ember of sunset had died
grayly In the west, the first purple
shadows We're dusking the quiet room.
when he moved and spoke.
"Laurie!"
my pet!"
And in the infection OF the young
voice there was something pathetic
something just little humorous, be-
cause of its implied protection
II have been i'll? Since when? How
long?
"Ah! remember! / had told you
had told you"
yes soothingly, IT know, dear.
You told me. Now drink this and go
20 sleep!"
HE swallowed; the cordial she Of
fered him, and 1t seemed to endow
Elm with new strength. He strove to
sit upright.
Put the pillows at my back, Lau-
rie. There; it is better so. Now
must finish the story began. When
was it, how long ago."
This morning"
$50 lately? ,only this, morning?
Bring light. / can't see-I can't
see anything-hRt even you. dear.
Light light"
And when it wis brought he clasped
his daughters hand and fell. back on
his pillow.
"How white you are!" And his voice
was very low and faint. Were you
nervous about me? Ali" with ten
der concern. show your hand is trem-
blingl Do not be afraid; am not
dying-n0t just yet-not till I finish
my story"
"Oh, no. no, no! My dear, mol You
must not! YOU"
II must, Laurie! Listen!"
The new. imperious ring in his voice
awed her to silence. He began to
speak, and his words came between
the gasps of his labored, painful
breathing, hoarse and broken
when left my prison, wreck OF
the man I had bebn-hope, energy,
ambition all dead and empty words
I came to England. And then II was
met Margaret sAtherton. How or
where" with long drawn breath,
matters little now. 1t was the old,
old story. We loved, and she was In a
rank above me. for I--what was l al
my best?--a big-hearted, credulous 30.
hemian, who had never learned the
trick Of making money. And at my
worst--ah. there winced--a branded
thief! Well. | loved her-that says
al.
V Wand one day. all unaware, be
trayed the passion honor babe me
trample. And IN that instant her
heart was revealed to me. What could
! do? dared not speak the truth
convinced as was Of my own integ
rity--I dared mott But before she
) promised to be MY wife l said to her
A cOWardIv faShiuf, .ssnS,foae.