The Elbert County tribune., 1903-10-08
CHAPTER XVI.
aMan Propoaes; cod pIsposes., :,


Johnson did not die; that he lived
through the terrible strain upon his
vitality showed that he had an iron
constitution. the doctors said; but the
men at the tavern shook their heads
over II, and looked meaningly at each
other. They had their own opinion of
the matter: perhaps they knew more
than the doctors did; the wi~s men
might open their eyes in amazement
should they choose to tell their sus-
picIons. Johnson was kept under the
influence Of opiates for three days and
nights; he was not left alone one mo-
ment: they fed him on Mrs. Aliens
beef tea and drinks. and cared for him
as though he were baby, the men
said In half whispers-him. with mus
cles like iron and cords like an OK.
Lodie daily carried the news. brief
items briefly told in his measured
tones as they gathered In the outer
room OF the tavern of an evening. or
called now and then across the
drenched gardens to each other. or met
at the wells. And the women over
their tubs, as they washed the clothes
up and down. and soaped and rinsed
and wrung them in clear water. leay-
ing them to soak TIL the storm should
be over, gossiped about this thet hev
hap'd Johnslng," and his girl, and the
airs they put on since Lemuel John
son-he who was born in the settle
ment years ago-had come with his
girl and his gold TO see that his broth
er should live like other folks, and
was not so mo count an shef'less."
Dolores, knowing nothing Of these
gossipings, and caring nothing for
them, had she known. watched her
father untiringly. She never COM
plalned OF being tired: she seldom
spoke.
Young Green had gone home. but
he came over every day. bringing gen
Ito messages and delicacies.
For three days Johnson lay in this
stupor so like death, scarcely stir
ring. not opening his eyes; his face
was thin and drawn. his eyes sunken
and hollow; his hair. few days be
fore SO lightly sprinkled with gray.
had grown suddenly white. He had
aged so that his everyday compan-
ions would not know him.
Dolores saw this In silence; her
thoughts were busy. but her lips were
dumb. Young Green's eyes had grown
wonderfully keen to note the changes
of the sweet. pale face. and the sha-
dows of the dark. wondering eyes.
For he knew that he loved her. 1t had
come upon him the first night as he
stood behind her in the freight and
watched the pure face bent above the
book on her knees. 1t had come al
most like a blow at first, but full of n
sweetness that was full of pain also,
she was so high above him, she had
never thought of love. she had never
even known what love was as others
knew 1t in the home life. And there
was a tenderness in the thought of
how he-he, the first one in the world
TO show her what love might be-
would prove TO her the depth of its
tenderness and holiness.
At sunset the third day the rain
ceased. and the mist dragged itself
brokenly across the peaks of the
mountains; the hills were loud with
the cry of the swollen river in the
valley, and the cascades shouted aloud
as they leaped the riven sides of the
mountains to Join the river and eat at
the worn old bridge at the foot of the
roadway.
The rain had ceased at last. and DR..
Dunwiddie, who sat at the bedside.
his eyes intent on the face OF the girl,
SO grave and quiet in the light of the
sunset. had raised the tiny window to
let in the cool wind from the west.
The clouds just above the distant
peaks parted in sudden relenting after
three days and nights of interminable
raining, and through the rent the set