The San Francisco call., 1905-02-07

"a
day she had secured employment
in the blanket factory, and would
commence work the next morning.
Six months before she had come home
broken wreck-her husband recently
killed In a drunken brawl, her own life
spoiled, as she thought, by the man
against whom she had been warned.
But now, with renewed health and
resolution, she was about to commence
life again, to build up from the wreck.
Halstead listened quietly until she nm
ished, then broke out:
You know there amt no need for *.
Kitty. You know I've been waitin' for
you to get strong so 1 could say the
same thing / did before-before you
met him. 1t didn't seem right to per-
suade you when you first came, you
were so weak an tired. But now you're
strong again an know your own mind.
An. Kitty'-his voice trembling in
spite of his efforts at self-control-"I've
been waitin' good many years. I've
never felt to marry anybody else.'
Her hand rose impetuously to stop
him.
But you must think to marry some
body else, Halstead." she said earnest
ly You're too good a man to be vast
ed that way An you must stop think
in of me, for IL can't ever be, after
after what's gone by. 1 amt much.
but l couldn't be so mean as to harm
a man like that Now, Halstead.
please"-touching his arm as she saw
the grim amusement on his face
don't make me so on feelin' I've
ruined your life. There's Nelly Bocup.
She likes you. an"
Halstead laughed aloud.
mo use talkin' that way, Kitty" he
interrupted. II want you, an II l can't
have you now I'm willin' to wait a
while. When it gets too hard l shall
grab you up an run so fast an far you
won't be able to get breath to say no"
I'm sorry. Halstead." There were
tears in Kitty's eyes. but her voice was
firm. II shan't ever marry any man
to hamper him. II won't be no use for
you to wait and ask me again, ever"
There was much sickness In the town
that fall-a malignant spotted fever,
highly contagious-and one by one the
poorer portions of the town were put
under quarantine. Then one evening
Halstead helped what he thought to be
a drunken man TO his home. and the
next day the man came down with the
fever and within a week was dead.
Within an hour after Halstead heard
this he was on his way to the woods
for what he said was to be few days
hunting. In reality. II was to watch
himself.
One morning before people had be-
gun TO appear on the streets he stag
gered to the sidewalk outside the fence
Of his sisters home. where Kitty
boarded.
MARY, oh, Mary" he called. Then
when his sister appeared at the door.
Don't come any nearer. You know
that empty cabin UP by the big rock.
where we walk sometimes?"
Yes"
Well. / want you to send some food
and water there soon's you can. I've
got the fever. Wait" raising his voice
a little bitterly as she withdrew hur-
riedly into the house. There ain't a
mite OF danger this far. not for you
nor the children. / won't go near the
cabin till you get the things In. so it'll
be safe. I'll stay OF In the woods a
couple of hours. But please hurry, for
I'm beginnin' 10 lose sense of things"
"Halstead" II was quiet but per-
emptory voice from an upper window.
Halstead raised his eyes and tried to
fix his mind on what he saw there.
Kitty, Kitty" he said dreamily,
that you? Better so In an shut the
window. Maybe the winds blowin'
that way"
"Halstead." the voice said slowly
and distinctly. can you so straight to
the cabin by yourself?'
Course" Indignantly, "straights
an arrow. But I'll wait two hours
No." peremptorily. you must 50