Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-06-04


81 have tried very hard" he replied,
''but I have not succeeded as I wished
I might. I am only poor man, with
nv future all uncarved before me-"
81 know" she said, "but you will
succeed, for you are courageous"
She plucked blossom out Of the
yrass and fastened it in her belt.
"Do you know" the man said sud
lenly. glancing at her half shyly'
that 1 used to have dreams-when
{ was a boy?"
"Yes?" she said.
81 used to dream about working
hard and some day gaining wealth
and power and building a big house
like your fathers" he continued.
"And I used to dream that when |
had done these things, that would
come to you and thatyou-"
All the ambition; all the smothered
hope of years were in his words, but
he hesitated. The girl had grown
strangely sober and her face was
pale.
He glanced at her half inquiring-
". Her face was tense with pain,
and her eyes were dim with tears.
But she did not speak.
In the light of the moon the face
of the man on the bridge looked
ghastly pale. His dark eyes gilt
tered like diamonds as he glanced
over the railing at the rushing tide
below. Anguish-deep, devourinG
anguish, was stamped upon his fea-
lures.
Another mana large man, with
bushy, untlimmed beard and broad
shoulders, came out of the shadows
and touched his arm.
"You are in ;roubIe?" the large
man said; you have been thinking
of ending it all-there?"
"Wen?" the other asked.
"Only this" the large man an
swcred, 81 know you are the cashier
in the bank back yonder in the town,
and I have followed you here, be-
| cause"
Il am short in my accOunts-short
more than l can ever hope to earn
;he cashier replied. "The examiner
arrived this evening. Tomorrow he
will go over the books, and"
"And you are coward enough TO
leave your wife to suffer the disgrace
alone?"
The other quailed before the in
dignation in his eyes and the two
TODD in silence gazing at the misty
moonlight. Then the large man
spoke.
"In my boyhood," he said, 81 was
known only as Bill Gordon's jim
I ny mother and my father lie yondcr
IA the churchyard. 1t was IS years
ago-15 years ago to-day-that
mother died. The sunshine was drip
ing through the trees along the
&c al and the birds were singing in
he hedges. But I saw only the
.hadows upon the highway and heard
nothing bu; the croaking of the frog
along the river, and, God! how lone.
iy they sounded But a little girl
rave me some violets and told me SIZE
vas sorry.
That was the beginning Of my life.
could feel my heart beat after that
and | knew l had a soul.
CAS- the years went by, l had
strange dreams. l used to plan
but no matter. 1t couldn't be.
81 went away then-went away,
burning with a desire to conquer in
,pite of all; to gain power and wealth
and honor and come back--to her
Tar up the frozen Yukon / found
that for which I sought-gold. Ma
lure opened to me the storehouse
where she had been hiding wealth
.or ages, and riches poured into my
lap. And them came back here
and found-but should have known
it could never be-"
lie paused to gaze dreamily at the
rpples dancing in The moonlight.
Then he thrust his hand in his pocket
and drew forth large roll of bank
notes.
you must never tell her that ]
came back" he said, "for her heart is
tender and her sympathy is great"
His voice softened and he pressed
he banknotes into the others hands.
81 shall be penniless, but I shall be
qlad that was able to save her the
oain and the heartache your sin
would have caused her"
He turned away, but the cashier
caught him by the arm.
"But your" he asked, solicitously.
The calm light of courage crept
into the large mans eyes.
'T?" he replied, gazing at the mist
upon the river. ooh, shall go back
10 the Yukon and dream-dream that
she loves me because I am lonely"
A SLIP OF THE TONGUE.
1t Sounded Strange, But Considering