The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-06-01
Moore read The letter.

Ing at the cattle or his poker partners,
and now and then, in the quietcr mo.
ments, he wns back in his old home,
a boy, with Il boys friends and sports.
Nothing could check the fever. 1t
batficd the doctor, who often during the
night declared there was no sense
In n wound like that working up
such n fever, adding curses upon the
folly of the Duke and his Company.
you don't think he will not get
better, doctor?" l asked, in answer to
one Of his outbreaks.
III ought to get over this" he
answered impatiently. But 1 believe"
he added deliberately, "he'll have to
co."
Everything stood still for q moment.
1t seemed impossible. Two days ago
full OF life, now on the way out.
There crowded in upon me thoughts OF
his home; his mother, whose letters he
used to show me full of anxious love;
his wild life here, with all its generous
impulses, it's mistakes, its folly.
How long will he Instr" I asked,
and my lips were dry and numb.
perhaps twenty-four hours, perhaps
longer. He can't throw off the poison"
The old doctor proved n true prophet.
After another day OF agonized delirium
he sank into Il stupor which lasted
through the night.
Then the change came. AS the light
began to grow at the eastern rim of
the prairie and tip the far mountains in
the west, Bruce opened his eyes and
looked about upon us. The doctor had
gone; the Duke had not come back;
Moore and 1 were alone. He gazcd at
lis steadily for some moments; read
our faces. A look of wonder came
into his eyes.
as 1T coming?" he asked i'm n faint,
awed voice. "Do you really think !
must go?"
The eager appeal in his voice and
the wistful longing in the wide open,
startled eyes were too much for
Moore. He backed behind me and 1
could hear him weeping like a baby.
Bruce heard him too.
as that the Pilot2" he asked. In.
Stantly Moore pulled himself up, wiped
his eyes and came round to the other
side of the bed and looked down, smil-
ing.
ID you say 1 am dyingY The
voice was strained In It's earnestness
I felt n thrill of admiration go through
me as the Pilot answered in n sweet,
clear voice: "Thcy say so, Bruce. But
you aro not afraid?"
Bruce kept his eyes on his face and
answered with grave hesitation:
"No-not-afraid-but I'd like to live
a little longer. I've made such q mess
Of it I'd like to try again" Then he
paused and his lips quivered a little,
There's my mother, you KNOW he
added apologetically, land jim" Jim
was his younger brother IA sworn
chum.
yes, 1 know, Bruce, but it won't be
very long for them, too, and it's n good
place."
yes, 1 believe 1t aii-always did
talked rot-you'll forgive ~" that?"
Don't, don't" said Moore quickly,
with sharp pain I'm his voice, and
Bruce smiled IL little and closed his
eyes, saying, I'm tired" But he i'm.
mediately opened them again and
looked up.
"What is it?' asked Moore, smiling
down into his eyes.
1.-THE Duke" the poo. lips whispered
"Hc is coming" said Moore conf.
IDENTITY, though how he knew / could
not tell. But v as he spoke, looking
out Of the window, | saw lingo come
swinging round the bluff. Bruce
heard the beat of his hoofs, smiled
opened his eyes and waited. The Leaf
OF JOY in his eyes as the Duke came I'm
clean, cool and fresh us the morning
went to my heart.
Neither man said q word, but Bruce
took hold of tho Dukes hand i'm boil
Of his. He was fast growing weaker
I CAV him brandy and lie recovered q
little strength.
II am dying, Duke" lie said quietly
Promise you won't blame Yourself"
IL can't, old man. said the Duke
with a shuddcr. would to heaven
could"
you were too strong for me and yot
didn't think, did youY" And the weak
voice had a caress in it.
"No, no! God knows" said tie Duke
hurrledly.
There was Il long silence, and agaii
Bruce opened his eyes and whispered
"The Pilot"
Moore came to Elm.
"Read The prodigal,'" lie said faint
ly, and i'm Moorc's clear, sweet voice
tho music of that m~atchless story fel
upon our ears.
Again Bruce's eyes summoned me.
bent over him.
MY letter" lie said family; Tn my
coat
i brought to him the last letter from
his mother. He held the envelope be
fore his eyes, then handed it to me
whispering:
"Read."
i opened the letter and looked at the
words "My darling Davie." My tongue
stuck and not a sound could I make
Moore put ont his hand and took Il
from mo. The DIXIE r0Se To oo ont