Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-09-17

that Ne had stumbled DER a stone, sup.
posed to have tumbled from a truck
back. wor bit sorry at first, and
then l began to be afraid they might
trace 1t to me. But l said nowt to
nobody, and the inquest said as how
'twere accident, and l didna trouble
myself Then Liz and l wor spliced
and though we quarreled yet would
a done anythin' for herl Thee know'st
1t, dostna, Liz"
| The woman looked up. Her face
was pale in the extreme; her black
eyes blazed, and her fingers twitched.
She rose and approached the bedside.
Murderer she Kissed between her
clenched teeth.
"Ah, LII" the man replied calmly
enough, "'tis no good a-callin' me that
now; what Incest better do is to fetch
preachln' chap to pray for me!'
"A preachin' chap! MOI did like
thee a bit till now, but-A preachin'
chap" she broke off in voice Of su-
preme disdain and mockery. "Noy
"Liz! LII" the mans voice broke in
imploring sobs. Forgive me! Forgive
me! Doctor" and he turned with a
piteous Look to me, TAX 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. 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. Don't you remem-
Der the old prayer, Gather, forgive us
our trespasses, as we forgive those
who trespass against us'?"
| The fury gradually died out Of the
woman's face, her hands unclenched,
and tears welled into her eyes. Her
bosom heaved as II 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.
Liz! Liz" he murmured family,
do you forgive me?'
| Still the woman sobbed on. Her
grief was polgnant-was 1t for the sin
fulness Of her husband or for the
memory Of her past lover l asked my
SELF The old woman-Martha-w
was evidently Roman Catholic, cross
ed herself and called upon the Virgin
Saint to have mercy on tho unfortu-
| nate mans soul, while he, In most en-
dearing tones, implored his w1fe's for.
giveness.
At last the paroxysm Of tears spent
itself and the woman became calmer,
hidden in her hands. I bent over her
and whispered:
Mrs. Grassland, one word to mako
him happy. He's dying! Remember
the prayer, Forgive us our trespasses
-"
She raised her head. There was a
| new light shining on the tear-stained
face.
"Yes," she returned, I'VE should for
give. Years ago, when 1 went to a
Sunday school, was told that! But
It's hard, sir-so hard-'cause l loved
Jem so, and i'm didna care"
"Hush!" l raised a warning finger
His lift is ebbing away. Come, Mrs.
Grassland"
"Liz"
The name came very family. Cross
| lands hand strayed over the coverlet
and l took hers and placed 1t within
| his. She rose, and bending over the
murderer, pressed a long kiss upon his
forehead. He opened his eyes and met
| hers, and there he read his forgiveness.
A smile Of peace and contentment H.
! lumined his features; he slowly closed
his eyes and sighed, and on that sigh
| the stained soul Of Darkie Grassland
| foated over the border to that land
| from which no traveller returns.-Wav-
prlev