Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-01-22

| II ~ early In the afternoon. Gen
oral Crook is seated at the bedside OF
q very sick man In the main room oi
the Stone House. He il dellrIous foI
long periods and conscious for short
ones. His conscious moments arc
moments OF agony.
II iB the Lord Of the Desert. He
had remained sober during the Siege
OF the Stone House and had taken an
oath at the time that he would never
drink intoxicants again. AS soon az
the siege was over and the soldiers
and cowboys had gone and the excite.
ment died out, he had collapsed. For
more than a week he had neither eat
en- nor slept. The collapse OF his
years Of dissipation had come. His
bloated form was rapidly assuming
It's natural state. He was but q
sponge. dry decaying sponge with
all OF the substance gone. He was a
human wreck, made so by sin and al
cohol. His was not an isolated case:
II was the same old story. Written
and unwrltten history abound with
such stories.
II Is too late, general, II Is too
late said the unfortunate man in
a moment OF consciousness. II have
taken the oath. will never drink
again, but II was taken too late. Il
might stimulate me now for a few
hours, but 1t would make death the
more agonizing."
1T Is true. Mr.. Lyle" replied the
general, Its effects are always tenn.
porary, except the injury II gives.
This Is permanent. A man may feel
good for a moment; his life may even
be prolonged by It for a brief spell.
put ne must suffer the consequences
In the end"
After more exhausting delIrium.
the dying man spoke again.
1t Is here that | hurt worse, gen.
eral, IL Is here" he said. placing his
hand over his heart. "if you knew
what lies there. general, you would
pity me though I'm the most wicked
man living"
1T is not too late TO repent and
Go justice" suggested the warrior.
Not too late TO repent, | know for
| am doing that as fast as a guilty
soul can confess itself. but Il Is too
late 10 do justice: they are dead.
general, they are dead.-my brother
and his child are dead!"
This confession seemed TO ease the
man for a moment. Then he con-
tinued: "If | could give them back
their lives. general, and this mockery
called wealth-the half.breed only |
took small portion of what DOS. |
sess--death would lose many Of its |
terrors. do not fear II. general. but |
TO meet my God with this load here. |
General, for many years I have kent |
my heart, my conscience. my soul |
benumbed with strong drink: now.
1t all falls upon me like a
mountain. oh, that 1t would crush
me. dissolve me like vapor. extermi- !
nate me that l should not have to
meet my Maker"
Il am able to give you some relief"
said the veteran soldier, "you are not
rs guilty as you think"
"Oh. but they are dead, general. |
No power on earth can give me relief /
How-lt is too late. | will tell you /
how II happened" continued Lyle.
sasping. Il hired Follett to kill one
Ind old Egan to kill the other.."
Il know you think 1t happened" re-
,lied General Crook, but It Is not
hat bad. Suppose | should tell you
hat they both live?"
You would mock me, general, you
would mock me-"
mo, speak truthfully, when | tell
'ou that they still live, and are here
It this moment" said the general.
do not torture me, general, but II
hey are here let me see them. Let
hem tell me that they still live"
Jim Lyle was brought in In a chair
nd seated by the bedside. and Ber.
ha came and stood by her fathers
ide.
This is Jim. Brother Jim" said the |
ying man. Speak Jim, and tell me
hat you live and that this is your
hild by your side"
The cripple's spirit of revenge had {
aft him. With tears in his eyes he /