Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1903-11-05

took hold OF the Dukes hand Id both
of his. He was fast growing weaker
4 gave him brandy and be recovered 4
little strength
Fl am dying. Duke. Z he said quietly.
promise you won't blame yourself
81 cant. old man, said the Duke,
with q shndder. Would I'd heaven
could.
You were too strong for me and you
didn't think, did your And the weak
voice had q caress In 1t.
mo. no! God knows said the Duke
hurriedly
There was long silence and again
Bruce opened his eyes and whispered:
THE PILOT
Moore came to him.
'sRead The Prodigai,'" be said faint
", and In Moore's clear. sweet voice
the music Of that matchless story fell
upon our ears.
Again Bruce's eyes summoned me. T
bent over him.
My letter. he said family; in my
coat
l brought to him the last letter from
his mother. He held the envelope be-
fore his eyes. then handed 1t to me.
whispering:
Bead
I opened the letter and looked at the
words M darling Dayie.' NY tongue
stuck and not sound could make.
Moore put out his hand and took 1t
from me, The Duke rose to 60 out.
calling me with his eyes, but Bruce
moHoned him to stay, and he sat down
and bowed his head while Moore read
the letter.
His tones were clear and steady till
he came to the last words, when his
voice broke and ended In sob:
And, oh, Dayie, laddie, III ever your
heart turns home again remember the
door is aye open, and It's joy you'll
bring with you to ms ALL.
Bruce lay quite still and from his
closed eyes big tears ran down hts
cheeks. 1t was bis last farewell to
her whose love had been to him the
anchor to all things pure here and to
heaven beyond
He took the letter from Moore's
hand. put 1t with difficulty to his lips,
and then. touching the open Bible, he
said between his breaths:
.'Kt's-very like-there's really--n0
fear, Is there r.
mo. NOR said Moore. with cheerful.
confident voice. though his tears were
flowing mo fear Of your welcome
His eyes met maine. bent over him.
"Tell her, and his voice faded away
what shall tell hery r J asked. try
Ing to recall him. But the message
was never given. He moved one hand
slowly toward the Duke till 1t touched
bis head. The Duke lifted his face and
looked down at him. and then he did
q beautiful thing for which forgave
him much. lie stopped over and kissed
the lips grown 50 white, and then the
brow. The light came back into the
eyes Of the dying man. he smiled once
more and smilingly faced toward the
great beyond. And the morning afr,
fresh from the sun tipped mountains
and sweet with the scent Of the June
roses, came blowing soft and cool
through the open window upon the
dead, smiling face. And 1t seemed at
ting 50. It came from the land OF the
morning
Again the Duke did q beautiful
thing: for. reaching across his dead
friend, he offered his hand to the Pilot.
ssMr. Moore be said with hne cour-
tesy. syou are brave man and q good
man. ask your forgiveness fer much
eudenesss
But Moore only shook his head while
he took the outstretched hand and said
brokenly, Don't; | can't stand it!''
THE Company OF the Noble Seven
Will meet no moras said the Duke with
d faint smile.
They did meet. however: but when
they did the Pilot was In the chair and
1t was not for poker.
The Pilot had got bis grip" as BIN
said.