The San Francisco call., 1906-05-20

Them are good for FIVE dollars. and
Three, and one" said Lou when Vaughan
would have pushed aside the discs.
Don't ye know poker chips2'' He smiled
comnlisersu ungly. The innocence Of the
youth touched him. IF you'd like to sleep
here -Onight-'' he began Hospitality
"a hr. yes. thank you." said Vaughan.
He Nad an idea poor fellow, that he
could keep these Wild beasts on the
lecs,l. curb. control them. They would
not resume thei- orgies. hc thought while
lie. TIE 1aTso,i, Was 50 near lie told
Henley. and Henley told the Judge, and
the tu-o left not seeing their way clear
10 undeceivisg him
Lou led the way upstairs. Here, as be-
low. there was one huge room II was
divided by muslin curtains strung on
wires Into one Of the compartments
Vaughan followed his guide II con-
raine6 three beds. In one of them a
drunken miner snored loudly. on the out
side OF the second g cowboy was sleeping
with his boots on Vaughan sat down
on the edge Of the third and waited till
he should be alone.
Before the saIoon-keeper had descended
the stairs Bedlam again broke loose. ten
times as violent ten times as reckless
OF consequences as before. The fiddle
soueaked. the dancers shufied and
stamped dice ratified. cards clicked. the
rouiette-wheel whirled its ball. Oaths
foul talk. the calls OF the gamblers, shriIl
laughter more horrible than cries of pain
Teuetrated the floor. There was an angry
ia ~ularion answered savagely. A gam
l1er had been caught cheating. Some one
-le6 sharply. Look OUT" There was
e 'ong. sobbing sigh and something fell
heavily.
Then there were hurried directions
lay him down." go. fetch DR.. Addi-
SON. Take him Up stairs" And many
feet climbed Up stunbingly.
Vaughan net them. Take him in
here" he directed Put him on my bed"
Il was the cowboy with the kindly
ewes. He had a knife wound in his side
The doctor came running.
Bring 2 basin Of water. and cloths,
he ordered. HIS quick glance Travelled
over the blosted faces and bleared eyes
GROUND him ssh he came to Vaughan.
''Tou'u have 10 help aTne'' he said briefly.
Vaughan caught al the bed post The
room was growing dark. He snatched at
one q the towels the barkeeper was
fetching. dipped Il IN the pitcher Of iced
water and wrapped u about his neck.
Ills hand was steadier than the sur
reon's now. Between them they ban
5ase5 TIE wound and stopQcd the Tow of
blood.
WHAT'S your nsme7" inquired the
doctor.
Vaughan And yours?"
Addison I hope We shall meet again. ="
I hope So"
they shook hands and parted. Vaughan
drew the ore chair 70 the window and
looked down into the street. A bonfire
had been kindied. The flames cracked
and rosred and danced with the shadows.
IN the glare VaUghan saw miner asleep
i'm a chair Ia tae door OF the saloon.
some cne else had seen him. another
miner chucil5nS ike a fiend over what
De was about TO do. IN his hand he held
q short round stick. 10 the end OF which
81 ---5nc --as att2ched- lie laid IL under
tr- .'---~ ~~1 set q match 70 It The
tc ~ -alcl dOvnwards with
fsrE fc.o.f. The sleeping man awoke
,...l gen unhurt but terrified The
,-e-rers IAN out and screamed with him,
thcn yen back 10 drink and dance once
more
Ana t-ese were the men and women
Tor vvlo-a Christ died thought the
--afr1le- bv the window Hell seemed 10
r--- ~ vaun before their wiilful feet. as
r~-i as die bonire in the street Who
you'd save them2 Who would save this
wounded boy sobbing and signing in his
sleep2
TO Clement Vaughan there was but one
answer. The cry Of the young Isaiah
rose 10 his lips. Here an J. seno me
Touch my lips with a live coal from
OF thine altar" he prayed
Dawn was beginning. the clear, cool.
bright Nevada dawn. II bzthed him
u--ere he stood. anointing him with its
u.iue fre- brow. lips and pleading hands.
and a great peace filed him, the peace
Of one whose prayer is heard, whose
sacrifice Is accepted.
Il was still early when Henley brought
the horses around 70 the door OF the sa-
loon. They walked away into the fresh
ness Of the morning. lifting their heads
as they drank i in No questions were
asked no condolences were vouchsafed
until tie little Gslena settlement came in
view Then Vaughan said briefly, Frank.
I feel that I have been called 20 90
work here. among these people"
Better write 70 Della before you de-
eide that matter" Frank replied
Mary was standing IN the doorway
watching for them. They drew UP their
brides TO the Indian who helped Frank
in his stable and went on Up the steps.
Mary hardly saw her husband She
vas studying Clements face Il was the
face of an old man, lined and scanned
He stretched out his hands 20 her with
a pathetic gesture. She caught them
and clzsped them 70 her. you have
deciGed-
TO do the work. Mary" he said simply
and she calculated:
Thank COD"
Better write TO Della nrst," said
Frank. passing on into the house
I'm going 10 write 10 her tonight
said Vaughan.
Della was his wife.