The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-02-25
In The Dawn
OF the Day x
By THOMAS P. MohTFoRT.
Copyright. 1905. by Daily Story Pub. Col

side he Sat at a table counting a 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 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 soughinS
of the winds among the pines, and the
subdued strains of a violin which flOated
up from the camp down in the gulch.
Upon a small cabin just below him
Ransom fixed his gaze. 1t was mean,
unpretentious place, but for him it held
a treasure greater than all the gold in
the world.
Presently there floated up to him the
faint whisper of weary sigh, and look
ing more closely, he saw woman stand
ing near the cabin. He saw her indis-
tinctly. but to him it was enough. He
needed but glance to recognize her
That woman was the cause, innocent
and unconscious, of all his bitter dis
appointment, and all day he had been
cultivating 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
To CT ar
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 it, Glenn" he spoke again
presently. Has your father been cruel
TO you again tonight"
She shook her head, but remained 81
lent He waited moment, stroling her
hair softly, then went on, more gently
still:
Poor girl! l wish l could do some
thing to make your life happier, for you
deserve it. There is nothing | would
not do for you even to giving you my
own life to shield you from hardship and
sorrows. 1t kills me to see you suffer,
and when you are cruelty treated it is all
1 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
else has ever been"
He looked at her in establishment.
Glenn" he said. What do you
mean? l cruel to you! Why do you
say such a thing as that?"
at is true" 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 a mo-
ment, then slowly shook his head. In
low, hurt tones he said:
you have no right to say that, Glen.
for God knows l would not injure you
by so much as the weight of finger or
one harsh word"
81 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 do not understand" he said. eff
I have ever been cruel to you l did not
know it. l want you to tell me what l
have done"
She shook her head, and again at
tempted to draw away her hands.
NO" 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, Glen, wherein l have been
cruel"
81 can't"
'But you must will not let you go
until you do"
"You"-she hesitated a moment
have broken my heart. You are going
away"
Her voice was scarcely more than
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,
and, turning radiant face up to him,
she placed her arms about his neck and
drew his head down and returned his
kiss.
81 thought you didn't love me-" she
whispered; land l love you so much"
Love you!" he repeated. ooh, Glen,
God alone knows how love you. There
is no language to describe it. worship
you, and everything you touch is sacred
TO me-"
She drew closer to him, and laid her
head on his breast. At that moment she
tasted the sweetest bliss the human
IN, !, t.