Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1903-03-26
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!, ACROSS the
, DIVIDE
BY MARION BENTLEY
Copyright. 1902, by the
5. :. Mcclure Company
Copyright. 1902, by the

had been terrific Trip on man ana
beast. The man lay. bright eyed. dry
Tipped and silent, on She shakedown in
the wagon bed.
AS the horses stopped instinctiyely
amid the willows beside the stream
the girl turned to her father with an
encouraging smile. But at sight of
him the smile changed to tense lines
of horror On the mans chin trickled
a vivid crimson stain.
An hour later Anita Murdock walked
away from the hastily improvised
camp with young Dr. Byrne. He
glanced down at her pityingly. She
was so delicate, so quiet and so pret-
ty. What was her father thinking of?
She was no more fit to take up claim
and manage a ranch on little or no
capital than
She looked at him in mute inquiry.
Il thought best not to say this be-
fore your father, but you must not
think of resuming your journey. He
would never survive the rough roads,
and the rare air on top of the Divide
would certainly bring on another hem
orrhage."
"Then you mean that we can never
go into La Junta valleyT
There was anguish in the question,
and the doctor hesitated.
Il believe the disappointment would
kill him." she continued. Ever since
we got that first railroad circular he
has been counting on going there, get
ting well and strong and working
again. We've taken the La Junta Ban
ner for six months, and we know just
where we want to live and how to file
our claim Oh, we must go on!
well, for the present you had better
stop here and let your father recuper-
ate. Perhaps when it is cooler At
any rate, there is n tidy two room
shack right back of my office. The
rent Is cheap, and | can keep an eye
on him until he is in shape to travel.
1t won't do for him to sleep here on
the river edge even one night. we
must pull him together, you know"
And the doctor nodded encouragingly
to the girl. who stood watching him
with wide open, frightened eyes.
So, all unwillingly, did the Murdocks
take up their residence in Fort Simp-
son. The hot blasts of July merged
into the sullen humidity of August,
and one day in the freshening breath
Of September Henry Murdoch tottered
TO the postolfice for the La Junta
Banner. They read it together, he and
Anita, read of the mountain locked
valley where the sun never shone too
fiereely nor yet the blasts blew cruel
ly; where crops rose like air castles III
the night; where the sick We're made
we'll; where-and this was the best or
all-starved, weak lungs were fed and
strengthened. The Murdocks knew all
the prominent La Junta citizens by
name, rejoicing with them in success,
sympathizing with them in adversely.
They lived in Fort Simpson, but their
hearts were in La Junta. And now
only the Divide, with its pitiless alti-
tude, stood between them and this
promised land, to reach which they
had sold their little Iowa home.
That night after her father had
fallen into a troubled sleep she footed
up their account book. They had lived
so simply, yet little remained. If they
sold the horses, they might reach the
valley by rail, but mountain railroad
fares are high, and without horses
how could they farm?
She rose impulsively and hurried to
DIR. Byrne's office. He received her
with undisguised pleasure. OF late he
had felt that his calls had been un-
welcome Very delicately they had
hinted that professionally he was not
needed, and he feared that they might
view his obvious attempts to drop
In" socially as professional calls char
itably paid.
"Father seems stronger today. Don't
you think he can stand the journey
very soon|
Dr. Byrne shook his head.
"The nights are cold There Is al
ways frost In the mountains"
"But you said when 1t was cooler"
she persisted.
He led her to the window and point
ed silently to the distant mountain,
where even in the moonlight she could
catch the CLINT of snow patches. She
clasped her hands in despair.
"Why-why did you tell me he could
go later? You knew all the time that
he could not take the trip, and yet
She turned upon him fiercely and
read that in his eyes which made her
wrath burst into a flame. In her un-
reasoning love for her father she read
In this other mans love for herself
only selfishness. He had thought that
If she stayed she might learn to love
him. And now she hated him.
"Oh, If l had never listened to you!
Now he will stay here to die"
DIR. Byrne tried to take her hot hands
In his, but she drew away from him.
"My dear girl, you are well and
strong. For you the overland journey
has no horrors; for your father it
means-death."
"Then," exclaimed Anita bitterly, 81
must get something to do, so that we
can go by rail. l thought it my duty
TO care for him, and now our money is
nearly gone"
He gained possession Of her hands
this time.
"Anita, it is your duty to care for
him until the end. Won't you let me
help you? Marry me tomorrow, and
will care for you both"
NO. nor she exclaimed passionate
ly. 1T has been his dream to go there.
DR.. Byrne. if you love me as you say
you do help me to get work anything
that Is honest"
The man sighed and turned away.
He realized that he had no place in her
heart or thoughts When he faced her
again, his voice was calm and even.
II think it can be arranged. Mrs.
Gallagher needs some one to help her
with the girls. You know her husband
holds an. interest in the Ten Strike,
and she wants to take the girls east,
then abroad They are wild as In
dians, and she has the sense to know
they need training down. DO you
think"-
Jim Gallagher owned the largest sa-
loon and dance hall in Fort Simpson.
Anita's face flushed, then paled.
"Thank you. / will try it,,
Two days later she was installed as
governess in the noisy Gallagher house
hold, with the privilege of going home
at night. She was to teach the girls
how to walk and talk and dress. Mrs.
Gallagher considered the last accom-
plishment most important She soon
became extrayagantly fond Of Anita