Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1907-08-23
XIV.
my WEE MusrI.

AS drove away, was proud of my
self. l had listened to my death sen
tence with face so smiling that he
must almost have believed me IN
conscious; and also. il had not even
entered my head. as l listened, to
beg for mercy. Not that there would
have been the least use in begging:
as well try to pray a statue into life,
as Try to soften that set VIII and pur-
pose Still. many a man would have
weakened-and I had not weakened.
But when l was once more in my
apartment-in our apartment-per-
haps l did show that there was a
weak streak through me. | fought
against the impulse 20 see her once
more that night; brit I fought in
vain l knocked at the door Of her
sitting-room-a timid knock, for me.
No answer 1 knocked again, more
loudly-then a third time, still more
loudly. The door opened and she
stood there, like one Of the angels
that guarded the gates of Eden after
the fall Only, instead Of a flaming
oNO-4f ACAo vas VI ~ JIG =" O. IL
q dressing-gown OF tea gown, white
and clinging and full Of intoxicating
hints and glimpses OF I'll the beauties
OF her figure. Her face softened as
she continued to looE at me, and !
entered
"No-please don't turn on any more
lights" I said, as she moved toward
the electric buttons I Just came
in to-to see if 1 could do anything for
you" In fact, I had come, longing
for her to do something for me. 10
show in look or tone OF act some
sympathy for me in my loneliness
and trouble.
mo, thank you" she said Her
voice seemed that of q stranger who
wished to remain a stranger. And
she was evidently waiting for me to
go. You will see what a mood I was
in when say I felt as had not since
I. very small boy indeed. ran away
from home; l came back through the
chilly night to take one last glimpse
OF the family that would soon be
realizing how foolishly and wickedly
they had been OF such
a treasure as 1; and when saw them
sitting about the big fire in the lamp
light, heartlessly comfortable and IN
it was all | could do TO
keep back the tears OF strong self
pity-and never saw them again
I've seen Roebuck," said to Anita.
because must say something, If
was to stay on
-Roebuck?" she inquired Her !
.one reminded me that his maze con-
Keyed nothing to her.
He and l are in an enterprise to-
yether,' I explained. He is the one !
nan who could seriously cripple me-"
oh" she said. and her indifference.
orced though l thought it. wounded
Well" said I. your mother was
light"
She turned full toward me, and even
\ the dimness / saw her quick SYM
,athy-an impulsive fash instantly
zone. But it had been there-
7 came in here I went on. ITO say
hat-Anita, il doesn't in the least
natter. No one in this world, no one
nd nothing. could hurt me except
hrough you So long as have you.
hey-the rest-an OF them together
ant touch me-
We were both silent for several min
ties Then she said. and her voice
ras ike the smooth surface OF the
liver where the boiling rapids run
eep: eBu. you haven't me-and
ever shall have. I've told you that
warned you long ago No doubt you
i'll pretend. and people viii say. that
left you because you lost your
loney. But it won't be So
I was beside her instantly. was look
Y into her face What do you
leangr l asked. and 1 did not SPEAK
entity.
Ito be Conunuedl