The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-03

Ned" said he, "are you sick, old man ? Whats the matter?"
 The man in the bunk closed his eyes. Rocklin hurried to light a candle, and to run for water. He mixed up a drink and pressed 1t to the swollen lips.
 Ned" he murmured; don't you know me. Ned?'
 feeble smile iilumined the face on the pillow; the eyes came open in a wistful appeal. Slowly the man drew his hand from beneath the blankets, and gave tremous pressure to the rough. big hand of his brother.
 Are you sick, old man?" Wallace repeated. anxiously. "Is it fever, Ned?p
 The other shook his head slowly. Smashed, he whispered
 "Smashed?-in the tunnel?-the cave in the tunnel?'
 His brother closed his eyes as be- fore.
 ''oh, Ned, and you a-lying here alone, starving! Hasn't anybody helped you nobody come?" 'Been---too much--by-myself" Ned whispered painfully. "Yes, yes. I know you have--you always have; but what can I do? Whereabouts are you smashed?" "In-side," said the sufferer. "aIIdce grodneu. Ana 10 tnlnk .oI me coming all the way from Silver Creek for to give you a liekingr He failed to note the weary smile that fitted across his brothers face as he pulled off his coat to go to work
 fire was soon blazing in the chimney. Shall I go for a doctor? ? Is there anyone in campT Wallace inquired eagerly. Have you got any liniment? What about doctor?
 Don't want-him--now," said the feeble voice. I'm sleepy. wall-I- haven't slept - for more-than-a week. Put - your hand on my head"
 Wallace placed his hand as request ed. and hummed an old-fashioned tune. He sat there for an hour, listening to the labored breathing.
 Darn = hard - luck - for more than--a-year," said the voice of Ned again, finally. Wallace removed his hand.
 You ought not try to talk said he; you haven't got the strength" Ned merely turned his face trifle to the wall. Me and-Lucy-was-- married" he slowly continued, three -years--ago this-month."
 You and Lucy?" Wallace started to his feet
 Yes, Wall. we-loved-each other-a-heap. went-home-and stayed-several--mon Left her there on-the farm. Garnet-was too -rough-for a good-woman. l thought-Fd-make my-pile before a year"
 Wallace sat down. Licked me again" he muttered.
 ''She-wrote about-the boy" re- sumed Ned, In evident agony. "and-I sent-her-all I-had. But my-best claim was-jumped, and-the com pany-took my-bullion-at the mill for what-Pd borrowed They l took a-thousand-for five-hundred debt, and said-I-owed more"
 The lying thievesr' broke in Wal | lace.
 And so-it-went. Lucy-begged 1 to-come. Boy-was dropping - needed-Califor-ny air"
 Well" said Wallace, 'fs she bring ing him now?
 man had fallen asleep. The midnight passed, and Wallace sat beside the bunk The fire was embers only, the candle was shortening down to the neck of the bottle. Ned awoke, and re- stunned his broken story When her = letter came. two - weeks ago saying - the boy -git-away-from he whis- pered, T reckon-I-must have-lost my-sense."
 Poor little Lucy" said Rocklin.
 Amen replied his brother. T lost -my-sense. Shake-my-hand, Wal ly," he murmured. "You-don't mind -looking-out-after Lucy and-the- -boy%
 Don't. Ned. don't go talking like that" pleaded Wallace. I'm going tc git you we'll"
 If you'll only put your hand-on my-head. Thank-you I-Wally. must-have-lost- | my-sense. But--I-never-touch -the-box. I-left-it-by-the road when-I-came-to -to-my-sense-"
 T don't understand" said Wallace
 A feeble smile flickered across the haggard face. "You-licked--me- Wally," Ned whispered faintly, "licked me fair-at the-summit-the only --time-I-ever-tu
 What. youl-oh, I didn't know il was your cried Wallace. suddenly T wouldn't have fought if 1 had knowed - Ned-look up, old man look up. Don't you remember the lick ings you've given me? Mclean yol | speak? Don't-dont do that-rl l give you a thousand-I'll do anything if you'll git up and lick me again | Ned" ~~
 Licked - me = fair and square God b-l-e-s-s-y-o-u said the falter ing whisper. and tho faintest of smil s' crept to and remained upon the mo tionless lips.
 The candle sputtered. flared a sec ond-and the light was gone for ever.