The Monte Vista journal., 1906-12-29

Ale only fault that Hiram Lamson
had had to find with Mira in all the
30 years Of their happy welded life
was her unreasonable and utterly
sroundless jealousy. There was hard.
ly woman in all the countryside that
dared speak to Hiram or even look at
him, for fear OF Mrs. Lamson beratinG
her as fiirt or hussy and accusing
her of trying to steal Hiram away from
her.
From the blue one summer day
tive fell a bolt that crashed through
the temple of Hiram's happiness and
left It shattered In ruins around him.
At supper Mira had announced her
Intention of taking the old democrat
wagon and driving Dobbln to the city
to attend revival meeting. Much to
Riram's surprise and chagrin Mira had
declined his proffered escort,
After she had gone, Hiram sat dis.
consolately on the side porch smoking
his pipe, until recalled to earth by the
ringing OF the front door bell.
Passing to the hall Hiram saw
through the plate glass In the front
door that his visitor was merely an
Italian fruit vendor. and shook his
head at the man. As he was about to
return to the side porch. Hiram no.
'iced piece OF paper lyiug on the hail
floor. He went forward and picked It
up.
What's this?" Hiram asked as he
walked back to the porch a letter,
eh?-and torn In two. That's funny.
Alira's always so particular about the
way she saves her letters. Why, now,
who can be a-writin' to Mira like that
My darling Mira"
My darling MIra-I cannot 20 away
forever without seeing you for one
word OF farewell. If In your breast
there still burns one spark of the love
that you felt for me once, meet NE at
half past eight O'Clock tonight under
the blasted elm in Lovers walk. Grant
me this last prayer. my loved one, and
will never trouble you again. Your
faithful lover. Claude"
so this f. the revival mectin' as
Mira's gone to? Gone tu revive a
guilty love for this fellow Claude
whoever he may be. oh Mira. Mira
This is why you've always pcrtcndcd
to be so jealous of me-yuu did II to
cover up your own wronedolnc.
Half past ciuht o'clocE. under the
blastcr oak must get on my bike
and spin over there. may be In time.
But lcok out for Yourself. Claude. III
FIST nut n rawhidp In my pocket. and
| IN give you the EUl-dlngdest lambast.
Ing that a man ever got on this side Of
the equator"
Lovers lane was the name given TO
wcll.worn path that ran through a
piece OF woods about five miles from
Elc Lamson farm. The city to which
Mira was supposed 10 have gone to at.
tend revival meeting lay another five
miles beyond the woods. Hiram made
a long dctour so as 10 approach the
trystlnE place from the back al the
woods. instead Of from the turnpike,
1t stlll lacked 10 minutes OF ap.
pointed time when he came within
sight of the blasted olm.
In the gathering dusk Hiram cspicd
siira. seated behind tree some 20
PAGES from the blasted elm, and he
} Hnrd the Whitney Of The faithful Dob.
~. tethered somewhere near at hand
Seems as of Claude wasn't In such
hurry to keep his appointment as
Miranda was. She came out here hot
foot to see that city dude. and there he
keeps her waltin'. Al Mira. never
treated yc that way It's pitiml-
downright pltiful to sce II woman of
our years acting like his,
AYE. lass. | could Utmost find II in
my heart To take and lift We int, the
wagon and drive yo straight home be.
'oro y. get chance uf making a fool
of yorsclf before my eyes. I'D do ~
and forget the whole nights business
IL II wasn't that I'm bound tn ever.
ias,ingly knock the naurishmcnt out OF
this nno gentleman Claude.
No. | guess It's an over between
"ou and me. NlriAdI. ! don't think
We can ever live together after this.
But III do the riFht thing by you. Mira.
You shall have IN. old place nns 5000
In cash. Thntll lcny" me ample for
my needs. And don't think a. 600 ls
enough. either. You have done MS
much as have, Mira, toward snyin.
what we've got. IN make II 10000.
Nobody shall say NJ I'm s'ingy. We'll.
thor" isn't much for me To do around
here. now. All that's left IL To squnr.
accounts with Claude and Mira. Then.
this old man for Dawson"
Al las, II seemed that Mira's pn.
'icncc had given out Hiram looked
IT his watch nH Sh" Fot up and started