The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-01-28
In the Dawn
Of the Day y
By THOMAS r. MohTFoRT.

& VI IHG Ddy ~ &
s BY THOMAS r. MohTFoRT. s
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Copyright, 100. By Daily Story Psb cel
John RANSOM was experiencing the
bitter disappointment that too
often comes with the realization of
long-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 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 70 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 soughing
of the winds among the pines, and the
subdued strains of violin which lOatei
up from the camp down in the gulch.
Upon small cabin just below him
Ransom fixed his gaze. It was mean,
unpretentious place, but for him it held
q treasure greater than all the gold in
the world.
Presently there fioated up to him the
faint whisper of a weary sigh, and look
ing more closely, he saw a woman stand
Ing near the cabin. He saw her indis-
tinctly, but to him it was enough. He
needed but a glance to recognize her.
That woman was the cause, innocent
and unconscious, Of all his bitter dis
appointment, and all day he had been
cultiyating a resolution never to see
her again But in an instant his resOlu-
ton was gone, and the next minute he
was by her side. She was standing with
her arms folded against a tree, and her
head pillowed on them, weeping bitterly.
For little while he gently stroked her
hair in silence, then, bending his head
close to hers, he said, in tender, plead
ing tones: Don't, Glen. Please don't.
1t hurts me for you to weep like this"
She made no reply, nor did she look up,
but she continued to weep. He longed
to take her in his arms and hold her to
him, and kiss away her tears and
troubles. But he did not forget himself
so far. ,,-. -
What, is 1t. Glenn" he spoke again
presently: Has your father been cruel
to youaagain' to-night?P p
She shook her head, but remained ST.
lent He waited moment, stroking her
: hair softly. then went on, more gently
still:
Poor girl! l wish could do some
thing to make your life happier, for you
deserve it. There is nothing I would
not do for you, even to giving you my
own life to shield you from hardship and
sorrows. It kills me to see you suffer,
ard when you are cruelty treated 1t is all
can do to refrain from interfering
where have no right.
She raised her head and looked into
his eyes, and in broken voice said:
"You don't know what you are say
ing. You are crueler to me than anyone
else has ever been."
He locked at her in astonishment.
"Clem!"., hes said. What do you
mean? cruel TO you! Why do you
say such 4 thing as that?"
at is true,r she answered. "YOu are
the only friend have on earth. yet you
have been crueler to me than all the
world"
He looked at her intently for mo-
ment, then slowly shook his head. In
low, hurt tones he said:
"You have no right to say that, Glenn.
for God knows would not injure you
by so much as the weight Of finger or
one harsh word"
4 know" she replied. "but there are
things that hurt more than blows and
words"
He came closer, and took her hands in
his. She tried to draw them away, but
he held them fast.
81 Go not understand" he said. "If
I'have ever been cruel to you l did not
know it. l want you to tell me what |
have done"
She shook her head, and again at
tempted to draw away her hands.
mo-" he said. You shall not go. Not
until you have told me-"
81 cannot tell YOU" she answered,
with her head bent low. "You have no
right to ask"
Il have every right" he asserted.
Tell me, Glenn. wherein have been
cruel.'
Il can't"
But you must. will not let you go
until you do"
"You'-she hesitated q moment
have broken my heart. You are going
away"
Her voice was scarcely more than a
whisper. but he heard and slowly the
truth dawned on him. For one mo-
ment he forgot himself, and, throwing
his arms about her, drew her to him and
kissed her. There was love. overpower-
ing love, in his actions, and she under
stood.
Her tears gave place to happy smile,
ands turning a radiant face up to him,