The Forrest City times., 1904-01-01
In the Dawn of inc Day <
By THOMAS P. MONTFORT.
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 Copyright. 1908. by Daily Story Pub. Co.,,

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 a table counting heap of gold. After long years of struggling in the mines of California he had at last struck a 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 10 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 violin which fioatei up from the camp down in the gulch.
 Upon a small cabin just below him Ransom fixed his gaze. It 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 10 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 cultivating a resolution never to see her again But in an instant his resolu- tion was gone, and the next minute he was by her side. She was standing with her arms folded against 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 Clem. Please don't. It 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 tC him, and kiss away her tears and troubles. But he did not forget himself so far.
 What is it, Clem?" he spoke again presently Has your father been cruel to you again to-night?'
 She shook her head, but remained si- lent He aited moment, stroking her hair softly, then went on, more gently still:
 Poor girl, I wish I 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, and when you are cruelty treated it is all I 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 looked at her in astonishment.
 "Clem!" he said. What do you mean? I cruel to you, Why do you say such thing as that?"
 "It is true" she answered. You are the only friend l 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 Clem for God knows l would not injure you by so much as the weight of finger or one harsh word.
 Il 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.
 'I do not understand" he said. If I have ever been cruel to you did not know it. I want you to tell me what 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"
 "I 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 l have been cruel"
 'I can't"
 But you must. l will not let you go until you do"
 "You'-she hesitated a moment nave 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.
 "I thought you didn't love me she