The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-02
The !! :, Story that didn't conc true



clenchcd the butt.ofg-ths; revolver between
his teeth and reloaded with hlsfight hand.
He crawled over the floor, seeking to get
the other between him and the faint light
OF the windows. Clare's body was In his
path.
Sweetheart? Sweetheart7" She was still.
| They've Killed herr he groaned
| Got him, Dck?'
Not vet. but, by God, RI have him in
err shakel You felers keep watch on t
louisIde: I'VE winged the cuss an he's
a crawlin son,eres on t floor! The damned
woman 8 busted, tool What in hell dye
down her fer?''
| "She had a gun un'er tape, I'm WIZ go
| In tor pop ye!'' go,
alright, but it's er stinkin' job!' Thus
the man inside answered the men outside
Da,e's agonized sorrow grew into fren-
lied craving for revenge. He crept away
| from the girls body with that stealth,ness
only known to them that have blood iust.
I Then silence.
Il Each man sought the other: neither dar-
ling TO fire lest by the spit of the powder
Their respective positions should be APP
parent "a, !,
douphp,' The raucous voice from the night
air came harshly
i ~ CANT see the fool
"kick round an rouse him up"
Yep, an git slug in M ribs! I'm full
To- that game, the inside man answered..
sarcastically.
con nv Ci---.' Dale listened to the
curious ti,ump and gursie.
"I<eepee stillecw Laos whisper came
,hickly.
"pek. Dick. L Mounters be comm: mind
verselfr, Then the sound of horses feet on
tho earth. Rat-a-plat. rat-a-plat, till 1t
died away.
"There they so, men! After 'em hard!"
Dale heard the juggling of spurs. the ratte
of carbnes and the hard breathing OF
Ihorses as the Royal Northwest Mounted
Police swept by.
Silence again.
"say, Misser Dlarc, bossee p'leecman
gone catchee, catchee: gettee up
He GOT to his feet slowly. The China
man struck n match.
Glare. my darllng!" The girl opened
her eyes, blinking as Lao set the CHM
neyless wiclss OF the lamp aflame.
You're hurt, boy?"
"And you, sweetheart
Tiny drops of red crept from her shoulder
and side; oozins through the muslin. they
dragged their way 10 her finger tips.
only a touch. Fred" She sat up. He.
lovercome with the pain in his chest and
arm, tainted.
She and the Chinaman looked at each
other while the room slowly became dense
with the sooty fumes of the lamp faring
In the breeze tina. came through the
broken panes
The girl thought hard. then-"Saddle
Fawn, ride for the doctor; hurry. Lao!
Her voice was trembly and she put her
hand on the table to support herself.
All rightee. Missy; Lao go duickee!
She heard him tearing about the kitchen:
he reappcared in a. ragged coat. his piStail
tied around his neck, and an old pair of
high boots.
Me go; bye.''
The room moved about her. she got on
her knees and crept to Freds side. Hav-
ing but one useful arm. she made long
work of pulling his coat and shirt apart
Sometimes she could see his face. some-
times 1t was vague and blurred. so great
Twas her pain and dizziness.
II must help him! She clenched her
laws and struggled on. Then she could
not fight against the agony and lay down
beside him, her face on his arm.
..Freddy. boy Freddy" she whispered.
az can't help We. 1 can't. an guess your
love is finished fur me. Your story didn't
come true. cause ! can't nurse ye an i've
happy ever after" a long pause. her
breath coming in little. hard gasps. She
felt for his face with her one good hand
and caressed 1t with passionate tender
ness. Fred, I'm sufferin' bad but don't
care. 'cept fur our boy. IL He moved
restlessly, lifted his head.
what happened Clare?" he looked
around THE room.
"Im here" The tiny whisper came to
his wandering senses as from great dis
lance.
Don't worry about me. darling. I'm all
right Where were you when the light
was on?"
'Hes forgotten everythin' cause o his
hurt" she muttercd. II amt goin' to fret
HIM" He groaned and his head fell back
az drop of whiskey, please. The girl
took a deep breath. tcnsioned her muscles
to act and stood up.
~ must--I must!' Always with the
thought of him, she kept the side of her
dress that was hloodstained away from
his sight and poured the whiskey with her
left hand. She reached it to his lips and
he drank 1t all.
.rhanks so much. dearest." His eyes
closed. You see honey, ha!'' he chucklesl
brokeny, my story has-come-true: rob
Ibers-you'll nurse Observation-Disclosures II
funny? Kiss the boy for me tonight, and
don't tell him Dads hurt. wil-you9"
mo- Her head was on his arm again.
Sent for loctor?"
yes"
'.The moneys safe? It's for you and tho
lad"
"Ye-es"
that her wits were flying. "Freddy-you'll
always--love-the boy-our-boyH"
"Of course; We'll love him together
/ A spasm Of pain passed through her. u
can't tell him." she breathed and con-
tnued with difficulty 'If you hadn't mar
ried me you wouldn't have got hurt out
there an you'd be with your mother nowE'
Dear Mo-ther! Eut, Honey, she'll real
ize before It's too late how-much Iowa
you and everything -wi!l-he right again."
She put her hand to her side and felt the
hot spurts. ''Youre not sorry YOU married
me. Freddy?
Sorry? Sweetheart--l'm SO glad. sc
thankful, because I've been better-mar
since. You have taught me unselhshness-
yes-everything that Is good In the--the--
world I'm weak-dear A--bit--more--
whskey--tl--th doctor comes. please?"
She tried bravely to get up No use.
"Ioullt-- love = an - watch - over the
noy?"
.sWhat?" Flo couldn't hear her words.
Everything was dark and quiet to her.
She felt herself as ii driftins--drifting in
al afst ~ - h NJ hon lava