The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1904-04-22

bravcly. for that was what brought me
10 you. | saw en item In n paper stat
Ing that several men had been hurt In
a stage coach hold-up. aud your name
was among thom. My people objected,
but | had the money you sent. and I came
straight here. Now you will get well.
and we viii go away somewhere and
commence again and be so happy. But
there Is the whistle" with sudden dis
tress In her voice a. the discordant
shrek again came through the window.
and you haven't eaten a Bit"
You can leave It on the bed. grlmiy.
Il Can cat slowly. and II will help to Kill
time. But you have not eaten anything
yourself"
II will take some along. resssuringly.
"Goud-by. dear" She stopped and
kissed him. then hurried through the
kitchen. snatchlng IN a piece of bread as
she ran. Fortunately the button factory
was only a few rods away, and she could
reach Il before the whistle stopped blow
ing. She must not risk losing her Job
now. for everything depended on the few
dollars she could earn.
After she left the man continued gag.
Ing for some moments toward the door
through which she had disappeared, hls
face still grim. hard, d,spalring. Then
a c%onvulslyc tromor ran through his
features. through his frame. aud sud-
denly he turned his face to the pillow and
sobbed as only n strong man who has
given up wholly can sob.
Il wish Molly could know my real part
In that hold-up." he choked. though I
couldn't tell her myself. II wasn't much.
but II was about the only white spot
she could put her Anger on and look Glad.
I'D Ike FOR her To think well OF mo
when its over. for. Of course. I've got 10
change the doctors word some way.
She must go home to her people"
After a time the hoaylng OF the weak
eucd frame grew quiet. aud the stead
fast. burning gaze returned 10 the cell
ing The breakfast remained unnotlccd.
Tho forenoon passed. and half Of tho
afternoon. and tltl he stared at the
ceiling Then suddenly the outer door
was ilung open. there was n swift rush
Of Joyous feet across the floor. his wife
was by the bedside. knelins. her face
pressed against his. her arms around his
neck. her eyes wet. her lips trembling
her voice full Of JOY. and rcproaoh.
oh. Harold she cried. why didn't
you tell mc YOU got hurt In saving the
stage coach7 A passenger who was In
the hospital has got well. and Il Gt the
factory. lie Il. the owners brother. aud
Is very rich. they say. lie seemed to
have heard your name. and waH inquir.
Ing about you. Some Of them sent him
10 me. lie asked II I had any relatives
10y the name OF Harold. and | told him
about you being sick. and that you had
been n miner and prospector. lie has n
mine somewhere nm tho country and
wants you 30 take charge Of II. lie viii
be- hero soon. lie says you saved his
life, and got hurt doing Il. oh. Harold
Tho slcL man stared at her with burn.
iug eyes.
Wants me 10 take charge Of his
mlr"?' he asked, hoarscly. Are you
sure? VIII he trust NEE"
"Trus, sou" happily. "Oh. Harold. he
VIZ W. aug '"l"- ~ WV N'i" i"i 9"'
! know from tho way bespoke
The inyalld'g features began 10 work.
You may sling that little song. Molly. !"
he whispered. "thc one I stopped you at
this morning, II would like 10 hear
II now. Thank God for this. and-anl
tor something else that I caunot tel
you"
She stcadiod hcr lrcmulous lips for q
moment, then snng tho lIttlcsongshcha had
loved IN her school girl days. when they
had first met. aud only q short half
dp2or year before. when she finished
his face was ag1in turned 10 the pillow
and lac was sobblng convulslScly.