The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1904-06-10
CHAPTER XVI


Man PROPOSES God Disposes"
Johnson did not die; that he lived .
through the terrible strain upon his
vitality showed that he had an iron |
constitution. the doctors said: but the /
men at the tavern shook their heads |
over II. and looked mcaningly at each /
other They had their own opinion Of |
tho matter: perhaps they knew moro |
than the doctors did. the wise men |
might open their eyes in amazcment |
should they choose TO tell their sus-
picions. Johnson was kept under the
influence Of opiatcs for three days and
nights; he was not left alone one mo-
ment: they fed him on Mrs. Aliens
beef tea and drinks, and cared for him
as though he were baby. the men
said In half whispers-hlm. with mus.
Giles like iron and cords like an OK.
Lode daily carried the news. brief
items briefly told in his measured
tones as they gathered in the outer
room Of the tavern Of an evening. or
called now and then across the
drenchod gardens to each other. or met
at tho wells. And the women over
their tubs, as they washed the clothes
up and down, and soaped and rlnsed
and wrung them In clear water. leay-
ing them TO soak till the storm should
be over, gossiped about this thet hev
hAp'd Johnslng," and his girl. and tho
airs they put on since Lemuel john
Fon-he who was born In the settle
mont years ago-had come with his
girl and his gold to see that his broth
or should live like other folks, and
was not so mo count an shefless.'
Dolores. knowing nothing Of these
gosslpings, and caring nothing for
them. had she known, watched her
father untlringly. She never com
planned of being tired; she seldom
spoke.
Young Green had gone home. but
he came over every day, bringing gen
tlo messages and delicacles.
For three days Johnson lay in this
stupor 80 like death, scarcely stir
ring, not opening his eyes; his face
was thin and drawn. his eyes sunken
and hollow; his hair, few days be-
fore 30 lightly sprinkled with gray,
had grown suddenly white. He had
aged so that his everyday compan'
ions would not know him.
Dolores saw this in silence; her
thoughts we're busy. but her lips were
dumb. Young Green's eyes had grown
wonderfully keen TO note the changes
of tho sweet, pale face. and the sha
down of the dark, wondering eyes
For he knew that he loved her. II had
come upon him the first night as he
stood behind her In the freight and
watched the pure face bent above the
book on her knees. II had come al
most like a blow at first, but full OF q
aweetness that was full OF pain also
abe was so high above him. she had
never a thought Of love, she had never
even known what love was as Others
knew II in the home life. And there
was a tenderness in the thought oil
how he-he. the first one In tho world
70 show her what love might DO
would prove to her the depth OF iti
tenderness and holiness.
AT sunset the third day the rain
ceased, and the mist dragged Itself
brokenly across the peaks OF the
mountains; the hills we're loud with
the cry OF the swollen river in the
valley. and the cascades shouted aloud
as they leaped tho riven sides Of the
mountains to join the river and eat al
the worn old bridge at the foot OF the
roadway.
The rain had ceased at last, and DIR
Dunwiddle, who sat at the bedside
his eyes intent on tic face % the girl
so grave and quiet in the light OF th'
sunset, had raised the tiny window e
let In the cool wind from the west
The clouds Just above the distant
peaks parted in sudden relentlng aftel
three days and nights OF interminabl'
raining. and through the rent the set