The Marshall republican., 1906-08-17


but steadily he had won his place with
them till within the last few months
they had come TO count him ms OF
themselves. He had ridden the range
with them. he had slept IN their sbacks
and cooked his meals on their ttu
stoves. and. besides. he was Bilrs
chum. That alone was enough 10 give
him q right to all they owned. He was
theirs. aud they were only beginning TO
take full pride In him when he passed
out from them. leaving nm emptiness IN
their life new and unexplained.
No man In that country had evp-
shown concern for them. nor had II oc.
CURED TO them that any man could tin
the Pilot came. II took them lorp g
believe that the interest he showed in
them was genuine and not simply pro.
fcssional. Then. too. from q preacher
they had expected chiefly pity. warn.
Ing. rcbuke. The Pilot as;on'sh"d thcru
by giving them respect. admiration ard
open hearted affection. II was months
before they could get over their sus
sicion that he was i~umbuggins them.
When once they I'D they gave Tim
back without knowing IL all the trust
and love Of their big, generous hearts,
lie had made this world new to some
Of them. ana to all had given gl.lEpgCs
OF the next. IL was no wonder that
they stood ia dumb groups about the
house where the mai VII" had done
all this for them aud had been al ills
10 them lay dead.
There was no demonstration OF grief.
The Duke was In command. and his
quiet. ilrm voice. giving directions.
helped all to self control. The women
who were gathered IN the middle room
were weeping quietly. Bill was mo-
where TO be seen. but near the inner
cpor sat Gwen In her chair, with Lady
Charlotte beside her holding her hand.
l,cr face. worn with long suffering.
was pas. but serene as the morning
tky. aud with not n trace or tears. ~
my eye caught hers she DecLonId NE
60 Ter.
where's BmT' she said. "Brin: Lin
in."
found him az the back OF the houfe.
AREN'T you coming In. Blllf' ] said.
"No; I guess there's plenty without
me-" he said Ia his slow way.
You'd better come IN; the service IL
going to begin" ! urged.
Don't seem as II ! cared for 10 hear
anythin' much. | amt much used 10
prcachin'. anyway" said Blll. with
careful Indifference. but lie added to
himself. except his. OF course"
Come Ia, Bili." | urged. 1T will
look queer, you know" but BIN re-
piled:
II guess I'll not bother" adding after
q pause, You see, there's them vim
min turnln' on the water works, and
like as not they'd swamp me sure"
That's So" said III. who was stand
Ing near. In silent sympathy with his
friends grief.
! reported TO Gwen. who answered
IN her old imperlous wGy. 'Hrell him |
want him." | took Rill the message.
"Why didn't you say SO beforef' he
Pald. aud, starting up, he passed into
the house ana took up his position be-
hind Ovens chair, Opposite, and lean
ing against the door, stood the Duke,
with q look OF quiet earnestness on his
handsome face. At his side stood the
Hon. Fred Ashley aud behind him the
Old Timer, looking bewildered aud
woe stricken. The Pilot had filled q
large place In the old mans life. The
rest OF the men stood about the room
aud filled the kitchen beyond, all quiet
solemn, sad,
In Ovens room. the one farthcst In
lay the Pilot. stately and beautiful I'M
der the magic touch OF death. And a;
! stood aud looked down upon The
quiet face | saw why Gwen shed ne
tear. but carried a look OF serene trl
umph. She had read the face Alright
The lines Of WEAKNESS that had beer
growing so painfully clear the last few
months were smOothed out. the loo.
of care was gone and In place OF wea
riness and care was the proud smile o
victory and peace. He had met III
Zoe and wal surprised to lind his terro
gone.
The service was beautiful In its sim
plicity. The minister. the Pilots chief
he'd come out from town TO tax,
charge. re was rather a little man
but sturdy and we. set. His face wa
burned and scared with the suns ant
frosts he had brayed for years. Still
IN the prime OF his manhood. his hal
and beard were grlzzled and his fac
deep lined. for the tolls and cares OF
pioneer missiorary's life are nelthe
few nor light. But out of his kind,
blue eye Looked the heart Of a here
and as he spoke to us we felt til
. prophets touch and caught a CLEAN o
the prophets fire.
~ have fought the fight" he reat
The ring In his voice lifted up all on
nends. and as he pictured to ny the III
Of that battered hero who had write
these words | saw Bill's eyes begin I
CLEAN and his lank figure straighte
out its lazy angles. Then he turned til
leayes quickly and read again: LET nl