Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-02-26
your heads level"


rage. Leave that for the heather. It's
will walk his way where his light falls,
and, by all that's holy, should hate
to see him fail, for if he weakens like
the rest of us my North star will have
dropped from my sky
Mice selfish spirit | muttered.
Entirely so. I'm not a saint, but l
feel like steering by one when l see
him."
When, after week had gone, Craig
rode up one early morning to his shack
door, his face told me that he had
fought his fight and had not been beat
en-. He had ridden all night and was
ready to drop with WEAKNESS.
"Connor, old boy" he said, putting
out his hand. I'm rather played. There
was bad row at the Landing. l have
just closed poor Colley's eyes. 1t was
awful. | must get sleep. Look after
Dandy will you, like good chap"
"Oh, Dandy be hangedv l said, for
knew it was not the fight nor the
watching nor the long ride that had
shaken his iron nerve and given him
that face. Go In and lie down. I'll
bring you something"
Wake me in the afternoon" he said.
"She is waiting. Perhaps you will go
to her. His lips quivered. MY nerve
is rather gone" Then, with very
wan smile, he added, II am giving you
lot of trouble"
''1ou go to thunder!' burst out, for
my throat was hot and sore with grief
for him.
81 think I'd rather go to Sleep" he re-
piled, still smiling.
could not speak and was glad of the
chance of being alone with Dandy.
When l came in, 1 found him sitting
with his head in his arms upon the ia
BILE fast asleep. 1 made him tea, forced
him to take warm bath and sent him
to bed, while went to Mrs. Mavor l
went with fearful heart, but that was
because l had forgotten the kind of
woman she was.
She was standing in the light of the
window waiting for me. Her face was
pale, but steady; there was proud
light in her fathomless eyes, slight
smile parted her lips, and she carried
her head like queen
Come ill.," she said. "You need not
fear to tell me. l saw him ride home
He has not failed, thank God! l am
proud of him. L knew he would be
true. He loves me"-she drew in her
breath sharply. and faint color tinged
her cLeek-"but he knows love is not
allah, love is not ALL Oh, am glad
and proudv'
"Glad!' gasped, amazed.
"1ou would not have him prove
faithlessv' she said, with proud de-
fance.
ooh, it is high sentimental non
sense" l could not help saying.
You should not say so" she replied,
and her voice rang clear. Honor,
faith and duty are sentiments, but
they are not nonsense"
In spite of my rage 1 was lost in
amazed admiration of the high spirit
of the woman who stood up SO straight
before me, but as l told how worn
and broken he was she listened with
changing color and swelling bosom,
her proud courage all gone and only
love, anxious and plying, in her eyes
Shall l go to him." she asked, with
timid eagerness and deepening color
''He is sleeping. He said he would
come to you replied
Il shall wait for him. she said soft
ly, and the tenderness in her tone went
eft iobt 10 hn,
me man might suffer much to be
loved with love such as this.
In the early afternoon Graeme came
to her. She met him with both hands
outstretched, saying in low voice:
Il am very happy"
Are you sure?' he asked anxiously.
"Oh, yes" she said, but her voice
was like sob, quite, quite surev
They talked long together till 1 saw
that Craig must soon be coming, and l
called Graeme away. He held her
hands, looking steadily into her eyes,
and said:
you are better even than l thought.
I'm going to be better man."
Her eyes filled with tears, but her
oIll1lS ultt uOl lduc dis she dllSWGreu.
YES you will be good man, and
God will give you work to do''
He bent his head over her hands and
stepped back from her as from a
queen, but he spoke no word till we
came to Craig's door. Then he said
with humility that seemed strange in
him:
''Connor. that is great-to conquer
oneself. 1t is worth while. I am GO
Ing to try"
I would not have missed his meeting
with Craig. Nelson was busy with tea.
Craig was writing near the window.
He looked up as Greene came in and
nodded an easy good evening, but
Graeme strobe to him and, putting one
hand on his shoulder, held out his 9th
er for Craig to take.
After moments surprise Craig rose
to his feet and, facing him squarely,
took the offered hand in both of his
and held it fast without word
Graeme was the first to speak, and his