The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-05-30
something. and

Will IRII e YE o.
expenses. Next yea. hope to do bet
ter. wish you were near enough 70.
re 20 la5> at;e: your s.o;hil-g al.
things. I'll be nice whom were to-
gether again, wort it: But don't coma
till you're ready. saw Alice last
week. and she's looking we'll"
who's ALICE "s.,eI Moses sympa-
thetically. Your wife,
NO. not yet" Brent answered soft
ly. He hesitateA little, but the loo;
i'll the Old mans eyes made him open
Alice's letters and read them. too, only
emitting Il few of the most endearin2
sentences. The last letter closed with:
Il saw your mother the other day.
Brent, and she is beginning to look old.
but, oh. so strong and patient and full
of faith in you. | would not have YOU
mar your future IN any way through
my Impotence, dear heart, but il you
could arrange to come home even on
visit before long 1t would do her so
much good. But you know best
They had all listened attentivcly. The
Old mans hand was shading his eyes.
"An' We could leave Il Sirl like that
an Il mother like that an stay here ten
years." he broke ont disgustedly.
Brent was already on his feet, thrust
ing the letter back into his pocket with
quick. determined hands
Il know it," he replied huskily, but
| won't be any longer shall start
back at once, tonight. My weeks work
will pay enough for the grub stake and
to get me home. If mother could pay
little on the mortgage | can surely
make Il living for them, and they will
be glad to see me. That is" recollcct-
ing himself suddenly. ''if you are will
ing to let ne go. | promised to stay
with you until we cleaned out the de-
post, 80 legally l haven't any share
yet II you're willing. though" his
voice trembling. you may keep all thu
provisions. except just enough to get
me out, and all my share. except n lit
tie for he grub stake and to get me
home don't ask any more"
Moses was on his feet. his eyes
cleaning from under their shaggy
brows.
'Willin', boy" he cried hoarsely
Wen drive ye off. Dkker, bring out
the dust an nuggets we've put in the
cache the past week an give this boy
his sheer. It'll be a little over
$4,000, | know. from the way il
hefted. The grub stake will call for
half, but seem we've got most of il
We'll pay that. an we'll pay for his
ticket home. The boy must git to that
farm with $4,000. faint much, but
it'll sort o help him to git started, an
he can work. An, now, there's the
weddin' presents. Here, Dikker, bring
that stuff to me-" as the man returned
staggering under the weight of his
load Jest watch what | take an
count it from my sheer Now" select
ing nugget after nugget and passing
them to Brent, you give these to the
girl Alice from me an tell her l wish
Il new joy to go with every one of EN-
An'-an' his voice hesitating a little
IF she'd be willin' to write me line,
like as if she was folks, I'd be mighty
proud"
''She will write you long letter, and
be glad to-" cried Brent heartily, land
so will l. But you mustn't send all
this. Why, it's more than half as much
as you say must take"
An what o. that?" aggressively.
"Alnt ye willin' the girl Alice should
have somethingE"
"Of course but
Then shet up. Now. Diliker an Sam,
pony up yer presents"
Dikker and Sam passed their offer
lngs Of nuggets to Brent grinning. He
gazed from them to the men, the mois-
turc from his eyes now slipping down
| his cheeks.
THANK YOU" he said huskily al
ices fortune will be good deal larger
than mine"
"Of course twill" retorted Moses
IAN why not? \ girl never ought to
be dependin' on Il man an have 10 ask
him for money. 1t ought to be right
t'other way. If there's any borryin' the
man should go to the girl Now shet
up yer thankln' an git ready. Hur-
ry bout it too. Then we're goh' to
drive We off"