The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1904-01-02
! In the Dawn
! of the Day *
BY THOMAS P. MonTFoRT.
Copyright, 1900. by Daily Story Pub. Col

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Copyright. 100. by Daily Story Pub. Col
John RANSOM was experiencing the
bitter disappointment that too
often comes with the realization of a
ong-cherished hope.
In his little cabin, far up the mountain
side. he sat at table counting heap
of gold. After long years of struggling
in the mines of California he had at
last struck a rich lead, and in one hour
had bounded from poverty to wealth..
During all the years Of his striving his
dreams had been of this hour, and now
that it had come he was not happy
Presently he pushed the gold from him
and walked 20 the door, where he stood
looking out into the night. over the
valleys and mountains the moonlight
lay soft and warm, while all around
there was silence, save for the soughlnS
of tie winds among the pines, and the
subtued strains of violin which fioated
up from the camp down in the gulch'
Upon a small cabin Just below him
Ransom fixed his gaze. 1t was mean,
unprtentious place, but for him it held
a trasure greater than all the gold in
the World.
Presently there floated up to him the
faintwhisper of weary sigh, and look
ing more closely, he saw woman stand
ing iear the cabin. He saw her indls-
tinctf, but to him it was enough. He
ne.dd but a glance to recognize her.
Tha woman was the cause, innocent
and Unconscious, of all his bitter dis
appointment, and all day he had been
cultiating a resolution never to see
her aain But in an instant his resolu-
ton vas gone, and the next minute he
was lg her side She was standing with
her ANS folded against a tree and her
head tllowed on them, weeping bitterly.
For little while he gently stroked her
hair IL silence. then, bending his head
close + hers, he said, in tender, plead
ing tors: Don't, Glen. Please don't.
1t hurt me for you to weep like this"
She rade no reply, nor did she look up,
but shecontinIed to weep. He longed
to takeher in his arms and hold her to
him, an kiss away her tears and
troubles But he did not forget himself
SO far.
"Wha is it, Glenn" he spoke again
present.. Has your father been cruel
to you gain tonight"
She sbok her head, but remained ST.
lent. II,W aited a moment, stroking her
hair sofy, then went on, more gently
still:
"Poorgirl! | wish | could do some
thing tonake your life happier, for you
deserve t. There is nothing | would
not do f. you, even to giving you my
own life shield you from hardship and
sorrows. 1t kills me to see you suffer,
and whenyou are cruelty treated 1t is all
| can doto refrain from interfering
where | hive no right"
She raid her head and looked into
his eyes, q d in a broken voice said:
"You dot know what you are say
ing. You ,e crueler to me than anyone
else has epr been"
He lookl at her in establishment.
Glenn" he said. What do you
mean? Iruel to you Why do you
say such sthing as that?"
at is tre," she answered. "You are
the only fnnd | have on earth, yet you
have beencrueler to me than all the
world"
He locke at her intently for mo-
ment, thenilowly shook his head. In
low, hurt ties he said:
you hay no right to say that, Glenn.
for God knws would not injure you
by SO muchs the weight Of finger or
one harsh prd,"
I know, she replied, "but there are
things thahurt more than blows and
words"
He came oser, and took her hands in
his. She trd to draw them away, but
he held therfast.
IL do notnderstand," he said, III
have evercen cruel to you did not
know t. | ant you to tell me what
have done"
She shooker head, and again at
tempted to ,aw away her hands,
"No." he sl. you shall not go, Nott
until you ha told me-" A
Il oannotell you" she answered,
with her heabent low. "You haveno
right to ask.
II have ery right" he asserted
"Tell me, Gu, wherein have been
cruel"
Il can't"
But you mt. will not letyou 30
until you do.
"You"-she esltated moment
"aavo brokeny heart You are gong
away"
Her voice " scarcely more than a
whisper bat hoard and slowly the
truth dawnedn him, For one mo.
mont no forg' himself, and, throwinV
hIa arms abouler, drew her to him and
l,lssed her, TIE was love, ovcrpower-
ing love, in hhctlons, and she under.
stood.
Her tears ga place to happy smile,
and, turning radiant face up to him,
shO placed her'ms about HIS neck and
drew his headown and returned his
kIss,
II thought y didn't love me- she
whispered; "a | love you so much"
Love you'll repeated, "Oh, Glenn
God nlnnn hnnihnm lnun unm trLnrn