The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-11

Wall. then, it's high time ye quit it." he declared.
 'No." she replied, I'm used to doing it. I'm used to having you dead. shall keep on tending his grave. But as I'm beginning to feel my years you'll have to help. You can carry the basket sometimes 1t gifts heavy"
 NO. sirree." responded her husband, stoutly T never had much use fer Ed He tried ter cut me out when I first went with ye. I don't feel like decoratin' his grave"
 But you shall.'' she said, in her slow, even voice. You shall, and you'll begin today by fetching this basket back to the house. As to cut ting out, his grave has cut you out for years.
 And as she turned to the gate Elam sighed and picked up the basket and trowel and followed her.
 That night the entire community knew the stranger was an old friend of the dead Gibson. It aroused no un- usual comment that the widow should house for she had long been known as a woman with much fixedity of pur- pose, albeit, at times. somewhat ec- centric Moreover. as she was well able to pay for the keeping of several strangers, 1t seemed pleasant to the neighborhood to encourage such ex- travagance.
 And Elan, sailing under an assumed name, quickly fell into his place. and spent many of his hours discussing the early days of the valley with old man Peters If at times he displayed too intimate knowledge of those now dead and gone, it was easily explained by his assertion that the deceased Gibson often talked of his home and friends. Yet, while vaunting his own prowcss on the field of battle, he always seem ed to even more enjoy the awarding of greater need of praise to the boy Elam.
 Day in and day out the widow and her assistant carried flowers to the cemetery: and on one or two occasions when she could not go she sent him alone. And he, knowing her implaca- ble eye would detect the slightest evasion of duty. would bow his back to tho hot sun and perform his errand most carefully. The one rocompense was his anticipations of winter. With the snow would come release. Then he could sit before the store stove and smoke a peaceful pipe and regale the gossip-loving gathering with newer and fresher stories than old man Pe- ters would ever hope to toll:
 But the early snows along the Ossi- pee fell damp and heavy and 1t hap pened tht after the first day and even ing of unalloyed liberty the widow 8 bondsman fell i'll. Even the crude eye ot the rural physician saw at a glance the frail, time-w worn frame could not resist the attack. and Mrs. Gibson was notified at once. She came immedi- atsly to his side and remained his nurse.
 'I was s- fool when younker. an have ben one ever since" he apolo- gized one December afternoon, Us the red sun sent ruddy streamers through the small window panes. T reckon, Mercy. l ain't been what ye'd call a thouhgtful man.
 Not exactly thoughtful man, Elam," she sobhcd.
 Wall, don't take on. l reckon I've paid tn price, Don't ye think so?'
 If there was any pI 'ce to pay. Fla m, you've paid it. sine whispered.
 Then l don't owe nothln'?' he, asked eagerly.
 Nothing" she murmrred.
 Then me bbe, when yo II me an Ed meet lgin we can start in all over an times will be happier fer all of us,' his weak voice fiuttered.
 Better for all of us" sne whispered brushing the hair from his fnrehead.
 Say" he mumhled, remember, Mer- cS, how that hair used ter curl when it was brown? If l do say it, that was Ih' most fetchin' head of kair in all Company D."
 And with this final touch of the old l light -hearted vanity. Elan. twice dead | hurried out from the frozen loneliness | ol tlu valley to fin Ed.