Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-20
TIE SAGE BRUSH PARSON
BY A. B. w ARD.

/ Just one more chance given him to make
good" to recognize justice. to surrender the
due, to pay the penalty. Better that better
thousand times the swift. sharp stroke.
Siienced. the voice would have given no un-
certain soundi Suffered through, the life
would leave a meaning
Here would be an appeal for justice. for
right living. stronger than any plea his lips
could frame
And to her. the woman who had been
heart of his heart. life of his life. in that
brief moment of their mutual recognition,
to her also in no other way could ne make
good. In no other way could he insure to
her the preservation of what was pure and
true and good in their love. To stay. to live,
to yield as would be NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
With every pulse in him he responded TO the
thought of possessing her. of being pos
sessed by her.
But she would always feel that he had
sinned. in thought. that day-that she had
sinned because of him. No. no! No, no!
Cast thy gold into the furnace sang the
inner self That will l." answered the
outer self. The gold of my purpose, how
ever mistaken the gold of my service, how
ever imperfect. the gold of my love for her.
however allowed the gold of my desire for
thee, O my Cod
The flames rose and sank struggled and
gave way. as the fire In the street had done
on the night of the service at Lou Pughs.
" Touch my lips with live coal from Off
thine altar" he had prayed then.
His lips, Now the penetrating cleansing
fire burned to his soul!
Steps came and went came and went
again. Outside In the corridor Mat Kyle,
longing to serve. fearing to intrude in an
agony of sympathy, approached and re-
| treated. AT last Vaughan heard him and
spoke.
Come in. Mat" he called, Come in,
good. kind friend.
The sheriff entered. The experiences of
the last week had told him. His round.
stolid face had heightened. sharpened. He
had been ouickened by what he had wit
messed and felt
II didn't know but you might-want some
thin'!' he faltered.
What time is itr' asked Vaughan
After 10. 'Twarn't but half7past when
the boys was here. s there anything
do? Anybody you wanter seer Kicker said
he'd come any minute you said the word"
I'D rather you to shriye me than any
priest, Mat Vaughan replied.
The idea caught his fancy. 1t would not
be hard to talk to this kind, simple hearted
soul. He would like to leave message.
"Sit down" he said to the sheriff And
let me say my last words to you"
Mat sat down awkwardly his fat hands
Oh his knees His heart was humping
away, like steel hammer, under his gaudy
waistcoat; there was lump in his throat
which he could not swallow. He would
rather be put to the torture than TO sit
here and feel like this. but if 'twould ease
the parson any to talk, be geeswak, he
would stand it,
They may ask you-afterward-what /
said" pursued Vaughan. II won't burden
your memory with lot of words. 1t isn't
necessary. I'll leave only short message
to those who will care enough to ask you
what l said. Tell them this: 1t isn't what
man says or does, but what he thinks!
Tell them, what a man thinks!'
Mat looked wise. He couldn't for the
life of him see what thinking had to do
with committing murder and being hanged
for 1t, but perhaps the parson would
plain To Mat thinking meant sitting down
and getting all snarled up, as he was now.
What did 1t amount to anyway? But, there,
If 1t eased the parson any to talk, let him
talk
ct is the secret thought that kills." pur-
sued Vaughan. L hated-therefore l was
a murderer
Mat winked hard, Just what did the par
son mean. Therefore-what did he mean
by that?
Hold on. Parson," he exclaimed. leaning
forward. his face very red, his breath short
ened by his effort to understand Didn't
yer-didn't yer push her over?'
mo" said Vaughan sadly, she jumped
She said it was my fault and that she
hoped I'd be hanged for it, Where are you
going?"
Mat was on his feet Say that again"
he exclaimed excitedly. You didn't push
her over?'
mo"
''She-iumped?'
Yes"
"'You'n have to excuse me. I've got
somethin' to dor
(To be continued tomorrow.