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.
/ gave him brandy and be recovered .
little strength.
II am dying, Duke be said quietly.
Promise you won't blame yourself Z
II can't. old man said the Duke,
with q shudder Would TO heaven I
could.
4You were too strong for me and you
didn't think, did your And the weak
voice had caress In it.
mo. no! God knows" said the Duke
hurriedly.
There was long silence, and again
Bruce opened his eyes and whispered:
sThe Pilot
Moore came to him.
''Read The Prodigal,'n he said faint
IT., and In Moore's clear, sweet voice
the music Of that matchless story fell
upon our ears.
Again Bruce's eyes summoned me. I
bent over him.
NY letter. he said family; in my
coat
brought to him the last letter from
his mother. He held the envelope be-
fore his eyes, then handed it to me,
whispering:
Read
opened the letter and looked at the
words MY darling Dayie.' NY tongue
stuck and not sound could make.
Moore put out his hand and took 1t
from me. The Duke rose to 20 out,
calling me with His eyes, but Bruce
motioned him to stay, and he sat down
and bowed bis head while Moore read
the letter.
Els tones were clear and steady till
he came to the last words, when his
voice broke and ended In sob:
And, oh, Dayie, iaddie, IL ever your
heart turns home again remember the
door Is aye open, and it's joy you'll
bring with you to us ALL
| Bruce lay quite still and from his
closed eyes big tears ran down his
cheeks. 1t was his 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 dificulty to his Hips,
and then, touching the open Bible. be
| said between his breaths:
sTt's-very like-there's really-no
fear IL therey
mo, nor said Moore, with cheerful.
confident voice. though his tears were
flowing. mo fear Of your welcome"
His eyes met mine. bent over him.
s'Tell her. and his voice faded away.
what shall tell herr ] asked, try
| Ing to recall him. But the message
wAs never given. He moved one hand
slowly toward the Duke till it touched
his head. The Duke lifted his face and
! looked down at him, and then be did
| beautiful thing for which forgave
him much. He 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 air,
| fresh from the sun tipped mountains
ard sweet with the scent of the June
roses, came blowing soft and cool
through the open window upon the
dead, smiling face And it seemed 1T
ting 60 1t 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
mir. Moore" he said with fine cour'
tesy. .syou are brave man and good
man. ask your forgiveness fer much
fudenessa
l 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
VIII meet no mora.A said the Duke with
. faint smile.
They did meet. however; but when
they did the Pilot was in the chair and
II was not for poker.
The Pilot had .sgot his grip" a. Bill
said.