New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-19

Stanley Smith and Gentleman John rode IN
company next morning over the plains The seen
cry was monotonOus. the soil black and red and
parched- The timber. reserves for the cattle. the
brushwOOd. all told the same dreadful tale OF
drauJh.
The ruined squatter sat his horse with grip
year all this unfeuced country HIS
To-day the crow few overhead with shining black
wings and evil eyes. waiting devour his onetime
substance.
1t evening when they back the
homestead. They left their tired horses at the
stables. and went toward the house foot. Reach
ing the shrubbery, they paused and tried to talk
not Of what was VITAL but Of incidental things.
Neither was anxious to put the truth TO the test.
Each, unable to simulate a false interest IN the
other. smoked and lapsed into silence. unbToken
save for stirring leaf Their thoughts were all
about the woman whose voice suddenly startled
them.
He must know-he must. If loved
love him. I should know it,
The silence which followed was electric-sacred.
too. TO the womans confession and abandon. 1t
she loved
The sob which tore from her throat struck each
dropped surprised a tragedy. When they came to-
others measure The steadtasJ gaze one upon tie
other was an Involuntary admission OF tne run
that the revelation OF the woman love had dez
termined the man 70 whom II belonged to contend
Neither said word; they smoked and talked OF
other
''That nisht the drouth broke All day the burn
by a cloud-pall which deepened and walled In the
horizon The piteous bleating OF sleep and cry Of
birds spoke the impatient anguish OF the creatures
for the rain. which was heralded by the lsng roll
heavens opened. and a deuge fell First the drops
ratified the parched leaves like musSetry. and
choked air; then the gurglngs and cool splashings
of overflow, through which was heard the frantic,
delighted bark Of dogs and strange sounds Of cat
tie calling aloud IN their JOY
Stanley Smith stood on the drenched veranda
TOO later was expressed in every line Of the
set face. But he was man Of action. With the
ste had become a food The rush OF water was
loud in the gorges, and Stanley Smiths thought
was with the cattle which had broken boundary to
Every man at the homestead received his orders
mounted Gentleman John beside his host. turned
to hear Constan say:
"'Godspeed to you bothr Her white face smiled
at them through the surrounding darkness. she
leaned. unheeding Of the downpour. the veranGa
1T was a night Of wrestling to save the poor
hapIess creatures who. affrighted. seemed intent
on their own destruction. And the two men who
had dared fate and done evil to live befltted
their desire risked life to save dumb. despairing
When the gray morning broke a desolate watery
waste spread between them and the homestead
the hills had poured their streams into the valley
SHhthhetd was o otteq Guy, s"lIHHs "@'siS iiie'
Twilight came. and then the stars shons out.
The mn mans voice was low and husky: his eyes
were bent upon the fire. burned low n the crate
No one spoke but waited paSny' ybc5 ~ tass
two men was he OF whom he toldr ne mad stiTred f
been master OF himself throughout The two per-
sonalities seemed blended IL hiu n, ne WIS silent
long that the doctor reused him.
IT beg YOUR pardon The storm had passed
VIII the sec9nd Ie dawn s4S sun between earth and
heaven. But on the vivid. brilliant scene there