The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-12-01


She made no reply. After awhile
he looked up again and said softly:
"Mirey, before they-before l GO
will you forgive me?"
She turned away her head to hida
the tears of wounded pride that
would not be repressed.
1T was mean, cruel, despicable. I"
he continued, but we have to do
such things they're a
part of our orders. l wish you could
understand and forgive me, Mirey."
"Fergive vel" she burst out. Fer
give We! You lied to me, made love
to me, learned me to love--yes, to
love-sich a snake as you. You'd
have sent poor old pap to prison, an
made me an outcast-a convict's dar-
ter. Forgive We? Neyer-you hound"
"Mirey, it wasn't all lie. / did.
admire you'll do yet. And in
tended to arrange that your father
might escape if"
Then ye wouldn't have done yer
duty. You'd have played traitor to
both sides. Don't talk to me. don't
never want to hear yer voice"
There was a long silence-then the
man Remarked:
y suppose Jake has gone after the
gang"
Don't mention Jake's name. You
amt fit to. He's a man."
Look here, Mirey. Do you realize
what you are doing? You are help
ing murder me, as surely as though
you had shot me through the head
with that revolver. Do you under
stand what that means-to take hui
man life-in cold blood? Bad as 1
am / never did what you are doing
now. You are helping murder me,
Mirey."
The girl shuddered again, then
steeled herself.
How do l know what they'll do
with We? That's their bizness-not
mine. You an them fer that"
"Mirey, you know as well as that
I'll never see another sunrise if you
keep me here 80 minutes longer. You
loved me once, Mirey. An hour ago
you would have gone with me to the
ends of the earth. Do you hate me
SO now that you will stain your soul
with my blood?"
She gave great sob.
What kin l do? / dasen't let We
go. Let me alone. Fer Gods sake
don't tempt me-"
He strained his strong wrists, the
handkerchief fell over the supple,
plant hands, and he sprang to his
feet, defying the deadly weapon
upraised in the shaking hands.
stop I'll have to shoot! l prom
ised Jake-ye're spy"
Shoot, then, Mirey. I'd better die
that way than by torture. Shoot
right here-between the eyes-be
sure"
The dark eyes looked into his, filled
with tears, and the grim muzzle
dropped.
20, Rob- kain't-I'm coward"
He sprang forward, seized the
weapon, and fired every chamber in
the air
Now, you've done your duty" he
breathlessly. you've fred
every bullet at me and only wounded
me as l ran. I've a boat concealed at
the river. Goodby, Mirey."
She grasped his arm and clung to
him desperately.
Not till | know We won't inform
on pap and-Jake. 1 must know
hat. er I'll hdd We till they come
IN they've heered tn shots"
Gould 1 betray you-after you've
saved me? Mirey- girl-look in my
eyes-they shall never know"
She looked, knew, and released
him. He stopped to kiss her, but she /
-hrust him back fiercely. He seized
he brown right hand, pressed it to
lis lips, and bounded away. The girl
ell on her knees.
20, Lord, forgive me fer what I've
lone. Forgive me fer the lie I'm
bout to tell. An, o, God, help me
o fergit him."
Then she pressed her burning lips
o the brown right hand. rubbed the
pot madly with the crushed letter,
nd, with little moan. cast the pa
'er away, as she cast him from her
Ieart, and rose to face the hurrying
men.
Late that night when Jake re-
urned, weary and desperate, from
he fruitless search, Mirey, from the
Id mans side, stepped forward in
he moonlight to meet him.
Jake" she said, softly, don't
yorry. He'll never tell. 1 know"
Jake looked down, sternly, into the
ark eyes.
'Mirey-you let him GO"
She laid both brown hands on his
RIM and looked up, pleadingly, into
he grave, rugged face.
"Yes-it was better. I've been a
pol, Jake. But it's all past now. An
-Jake-ye needn't wait till fall-ef
ell have me yit."
Jake stopped. kissed the quivering
ps, put his strong arm about her,
nd led her to the smiling old man.
Vanity.
Mr. Potts Ito his wife)-My dear. ]
lie air is chilly. Fermez la fenetre.
The Visitor (sotto voce)-Why do {