The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-24
Our Daily Sport Story

locked the door behind him. In a few minutes he returned and found the wo- man still in the cringing position in which he left her. Taking a cup of water he again went to the bed.
 ''Kittie. you're to take this medi- 1 cife," he said, holding a tablet be. tween his fingers.
 But the woman only stared Dent waited a moment; then, setting down the cup of water, he reached over and took the woman In his arms. Then, sitting on the edge of the bed, he held her in his lap and, forcing the tablet between her teeth. after a mixture of PTorce and persuasion, succeeded in get ting her to swallow 1t. Then, placing her upon the bed again he drew the covering carefully about her and sat down near by, still holding one of her small hands which he began stroking tepderly.
 Under this rhythmic rubbing and the influence of the narcotic Dent had given, Kittie soon fell asleep and was breathing regularly and even peace fully. For four hours the man sat there at the edge of the bed. rubbing the small, thin hand. of the woman, while the rain poured upon the roof. humming a dismal strain. For awhile | he had watched the young but wan | face on the pillow grow pale and pink l by turns. Then he had made a survey 1 of the room with his eyes. "D-n" he muttered. There's nev- CT any telling about how things will come out"
 He glanced at the candle. which was now almost exhausted. Then he drew l lighted 1t and set 1t beside the expir- ing one.
 "Tallow candles" he grunted, "an' | gas goin' to waste in this town" Another hour passed in silence. ex- cept for the rumble of .the rain on tho roof not ten feet overhead. Then the woman opened her eyes and looked up "Is 1t you, John?" she asked quietly, l searching his face with her eyes. Yes, Kittie; the child came for me Did you send?"
 "Yes. l remember that sent There Is note for you. I was to give 1t to you sometime. But got so i'll, knew should have to get 1t to you pretty soon"
 Where's Joe?' asked Dent. He is dead" she said. killed in q riot in Daggerty's saloon. It was Joe
 who left the note for you.' '"rhe dew"
 Yes. They brought him here; and
 he made me leave the room, while Dag
 gerty wrote the note for him. It's
 sealed"
 Kittie's thin hand wandered under
 the pillow and presently came out
 again with an envelope in 1t. John took 1t and broke it open.
 Dear John." he read by the dim 1 candle light, 'It's all on account of a | lie l told Kittie about you. And now
 that I've got big hole in my side, and
 they say I've got to die. don't mind
 telling you straight, so you can come
 on and marry Jettie if you want to, and make her somehow comfortable
 for God knows she has had a rough and | tumble time of 1t since she married
 me. I've been a devil and treated Kit
 tie like a dog sometimes. But I'm sorry for 1t now, and 1t won't do, you any good to stamp around on my grave and kick over the head board, if there Is any; so I don't mind telling you this, | too. Hope you'll take pity on the
 poor little soul I'm leaving behind. I am yours, Joe Lineman." What Is 1t. John?" asked Kittie,
 when he had finished. John hesitated a moment. Said 1t
 was all on account of lie he told ye about me. little one" he answered;
 ''an'-an' said I could marry ye, if ye'd
 have me. What about 1t, Kittie, are ye willln' to go back with me five years an begin where we left off when 1 Joe happened alongT' He had caught
 both of Hitties hands and was lifting
 her slowly toward him. 'Tf get well, John" A beautiful wan smile for a moment | played about her lips, then she allowed her tired head to drop over upon I TOh af