The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-10-14
CHAPTER IN.

cry save the song of a thrush in the
elm without.
Papa, papa," in a frenzy of fear.
Speak to me-speak to me! oh, my
darling-my own darling-just one
wordl Papa. papa!"
She dashed to the table and, selling
q carafe, drenched her handkerchief.
She bathed his forehead, his lips; she
rubbed his thin, stiff fingers with her
little, loving hands.
At last the fair head moved with a
restless gesture, the heavy lids lifted
themselves from dim, unseeing eyes.
Slowly the girl rose to her feet!
Slowly IN her face dawned pallid
horror Something in the countenance
before Ler had frozen the warm blood
In her veins.
He had been subject to attacks of
weakness Of late. but not like this
oh, not like this!
AS in a dream she heard the latch
of the garden gate click-heard some
one coming up the path.
She staggered to the easement Her
visitor, an intimate friend of theirs,
and a retired physician. caught sight
of the girls white face.
why, my dear Miss Laurie" he
cried In surprise, coming up to where
she stood, and then, catching a
glimpse OF the other occupant of the
room beyond, he sprang over the low
window SILL what does--it-mean?"
Laurie moaned, brokenly:
''He never looked like that before!
See his eyes! They are quite vacant.
quke sightless, oh, what can it
mean"
"Quick!" the doctor commanded;
-call the servant. We must get him
TO bed at once. for fear this means
ali, little one, be brave-I fear 1t
means-the endi"
Her lips twitched painfully, but no
sound came from between them.
I'VE have been trying to deceive
ourselves of late--we who loved him;
but we knew 1t was coming. Now,
Iaurie-Laurie, for his sake! Don't
give way. my dear-don't, for his
sake!'
They bore the stricken man up TO
his room and laid him on his bed.
They did all that loving hearts could
suggest and skillful hands could do,
and then they went away and left
them alone together-father and child.
The last ember OF sunset had died
grayly in the west, the first purple
shadows were dusking the quiet room,
when he moved and spoke.
LAUREL"
"My pet!"
And in the infection OF the young
voice there was something pathetic
something just little humorous, be.
cause Of It's implied protection.
II have been III? Since when? How
long?
"Ah! remember! had told you
had told you"
Yes soothingly, 81 know, dear.
You told me. Now drink this and 20
60 sleepi"
HE swallowed the cordial she Of
Tered him, and IL seemed to endow
him with new strength. He strove to
sit upright.
Put the pillows at my back. Lau.
RE. There; 1t is better So Now !
must finish the story / began. When
was ii, how long ago?"
This morning."
$50 lately? Only this morning?
Bring a light. can't see-I can't
see anything-not even you, dear.
Light light"
And when II was brought he clasped
his daughters hand and fell back on
his pillow.
How white you are!" And his voice
was very low and faint Were you
nervous about me7 Ali" with ten.
der concern, "how your hand is trem.
bling! Do not be afraid; | am not
dying-not just yet--not. till | finish
my story"
"oh. no, no, no! My dear, no! You
must not! You"
II must, LAUREL Listen!"
The new, imperious ring in his voice
awed her to silence. He began to
oiNdh, anu us WOIuS came between
the gasps Of his labored, painful
breathing, hoarse and broken.
When | left my prison, wreck of
the man had been--hope, energy.
ambition all dead and empty words
i came to England. And then II was
! met Margaret Anterior. How or
where" with a long drawn breath.
matters little now. II was the old
old story. We loved, and she was in a
rank above me; for what was at
my best2--a big.hearted, credulous Ro.
hemian, who had never learned the
trick of making money. And at INV
worst--ah, there I winced--a branded
thief! Well. loved her-that saws
all
"And one day, all unaware be.
trayed the passion honor babe mo
trample. And in that instant her
heart was revealed to me. What could
do? dared not speak the truth
convinced as I was Of my own intey'
rity--l dared mott But bsfora sba
promised to be my wife I said m her
in cowardly fashion, confess:
I will tell you my life up to three