Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-10-15
CHAPTER III.

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too late.' Shakespeare.
But no answer came to the terrified
cry save the song OF a thrush In the
elm without.
Papa, papai" in a frenzy of fear.
Speak to me-speak to me! oh, my
darling-my own darling-iust one
world Papa, papa"
She dashed t o 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 a
restless gesture, the heavy lids lifted
themselves from dim, ~unseeing eyes.
Slowly the girI rose to her feet
Slowly in her face dawned a 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
n coming up the path.
She staggered to the easement. Her
visitor, an intimate friend of theirs,
and a retired physician. caught sight
Of the girls white face.
why, my dear Miss Laurie he
cried, In surprise, coming up I o where
she stood, and then, catching a
glimpse OF the other occupant of the
0 beyond, he sprang over the low
window sill. what does-it-mean?"
Laurie moaned, brokenly:
HE never looked like that before.
See his eyes. They are quite vacant,
quite sightless. On, what can 1t
mean?"
Quick" the doctor commanded;
-call the servant. We must get him
to bed at once, for / fear this means
an, little one. be brave--T fear it
meaDs-the ends"
Her lips twitched painfully. but no
sound came from between them.
We have been trying to deceive
ourselves OF late-we who loved him:
hut we knew IL was coming. Now.
Laurie-Laurie, for his sake! Don't
give way, my dear-dont. for his
xake!"
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 were dusking the quiet room,
when he moved and spoke.
LAUREL"
"My pet!"
And In the infection OF the young
voice there was something pathetic
something Just a little humorous, be-
of Its implied protection.
Il have been LII? Since when2 How
long?
"Ahi 7 rememberi l had told you
I had told you"
"yes.' so~othingly. Il know, dear.
You told me. Now drink this and go
70 sleep!"
.He swallowed the cordial she or
fered him. and 1t seemed to endow
him with new strength. He strove to
sit upright.
PUT the pillows at my back. Lau-
RE, There; 1t Is better so. Now I
must finish the story I began. When
was II, how long ago?"
This morning"
$50 lately? Only this morning?
Bring a light. 1 can't see--I can't
see anything-not even you. dear.
Light a light"
And when 1t was 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. how your hand is trem-
bling! Do not be afraid: / am not
dying-not just yet-not till / finish
my story"
"oh, no, no., no! My dear, mol You
must not! YOU"
Il must, LAUREL Listenl"
The new. imperious ring In his voice
RWed her to silence. He began to
slcak, and his words came between
the gasps Of his labored, painful
breathing, hoarse and broken.
When | left my prison, a wreck of
the man ! had been-hope, energy,
ambition all dead and empty words
I came to England. And then II was
! met Margaret Atherton. How or
where" with a 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 / at
my best?--a ~big-hearted, credulous Bo-
hemian, who had never learned the
trick OF making money, And at my
worst-ah, there I winced-a branded
thief! Well. ] loved her-that says
all.
And . day, all unaware, \ be-
trayed the passion honor babe me
trample. And In that inatant her
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