Idaho Springs siftings., 1903-10-10
CHAPTER XVI.
aman Proposes; God Disposes."

man ffOESaEbs ooo oispcScs-
johnson did not die: that he lived
through the terrible strain upon his
vitality showed that he had an iron
constitution. the doctors said; but the
men at the tavern shook their heads
over il. and looked meaningly at each
other. They had their own opinion OF
the matter. perhaps they knew more
than the doctors did. the wiz men
might open their ey~s in amazement
should they choose 10 tell their sus-
piclons. johnson was kept under the
influence OF oplates for three days and
nights: he was not left alone one mo-
meut. they fed him ON Mrs. Aliens
beef tea ana drinks. and cared for him
as though he were baby. the men
said In half whispers-him. with mus
cles like iron and cords ike an OK
Lode daily carried the news, brief
items briefly told In his measured
tones as they gathered in the outer
room OF the tavern OF an evening or
called nov and then across the
drenched gardens 10 each other. OF met
at the wells And the women over
their tubs. as they washed the clothes
up and down. and soaped and riused
and wrune Them in clear water. leay-
Ing them 20 soak Till the storm should
be over. Eosslped about this thet hey
hap'd JohHsing. aud his girl. and the
airs they put on since LemueI John
sou--he Nha was born in the settle
ment year agu-had come with his
girl and his gold to see that his broth
..HH
was not 70 no count an shef less
Dolores. knowing nothing OF these
Eossipiues. and caring nothing for
them. had she known. watched her
father untifinriy She never com
plalned Of being tired. she seldom
spoke.
Young Green had gone home. but
he came over every day. bringing gen
tie messages and delieacies-
For three days johnson lay in this
stupor 50 Ike death, scarcely stir
ring. not opening bis eyes; his face
was thin and drawn. his eyes sunken
and hollow: his hair. few days be
fore SO lightly sprinklsd with gray.
had grown suddenly white. lie mad
aged so that his everyday eompan-
ions would not know him.
Dolores saw this In silence, her
thoughts were busy. but her lips were
dumb. Young Green's eyes had grown
wonderfully keen to note the changes
of the sweet. pale face, and the sha'
dows OF the dark. wondering eyes.
Fer he knew that he loved her. II had
come upon him the first night as he
stood behind her Ia the freight and
watched the pure face bent above the
book on her knees. II had come al
most like a blow at first. but full of
sweetness that vaz full OF pain also,
she vas 40 high above him. she had
never a thought of love. she had never
even known what love vas as others
knew IL in the home life. And there
was a tenderness Ia the thought Of
how he-he. the first one In the world
10 show her what love might be-
would prove 20 her the depth Of It's
tenderness and holiness.
At sunset the third day the rain
ceased. and the mist dragged Itself
brokenly across the peaks Of the
mountains. the hills were loud with
the cry OF the swollen river IN the
valley. and the cascades shouted aloud
as they ieaped the riveu sides OF the
mountains 90 ia.a the river and eat at
the worn old bridge at the foot OF the
roadway.
The rain had ceased at last. and DR.
Dunwiddie. Who sat at the bedside
his eyes iutent on the faco of the girl
80 grave and quiet ia the light OF the
sunset had raised the tiny window 20
Jet la the COOL wind from The vest
The clouds Just above the distant
peaks parted ia sudden reienting after
three days and nights OF interminahle
raining. and throRah the rent the set