The Yale expositor., 1907-10-18

information extends. In strict conf
dence | propose now to impart to you
what has hitherto remained pro-
found secret. Upon special request OF
a number of influential citizens of
Placer, including the city marshal and
other officials, expressed in mass
meeting, / have decided upon desert
! ing that sagebrush metropolis to its
| just fate, and plan to add the iniiu-
ence Of my presence to the future de-
| yelopment of Glencaid. | learn that |
the climate there is more salubrious, |
more conducive to long living, the citi- |
zens of Placer being peculiarly eXcit- |
able and careless with their fire.
arms"
The sergeant had been listening /
with open mouth. The hell you say"
he finally calculated.
"The undefiled truth, every word OF
it, No wonder you are shocked. A
fine state of affairs, isn't it, when
plain-spoken, pleasantmannered gen
tleman, such as | surely ANA uni
versity graduate, by all the gods, the
nephew of a United States senator,
and acknowledged to be the greatest
exponent Of scientific poker in this ter
ritory,-should be obliged to hastily
change his chosen place of abode be-
cause Of the threat Of an ignorant and
depraved mob Ever have a rope dan
gled in front of your eyes, sergeant
and a gun-barrel biting into your cheek
at the same time? Accept my word
for it, the experience is trying on the
nerves. Ran a perfectly square game,
+ too. and those ducks knew it; but
there's no true sporting spirit left in
: this territory any more. However,
spilled milk is never worth sobbing
! over, and Fate always contrives To
? play the final hand in any game, and
, stocks the cards to win"
$ "A breath of good, honest prayer
a would serve better than anything
n else" groaned the sergeant, soberly.
The gray eyes resting thoughtfully
O on the old soldiers haggard face be-
o came instantly grave and earnest.
, sincerely | wis. ! might aid you
h with one" the man admitted, but /
i fear. old fellow, any prayer coming
i from my lips would never ascend very
a far. However, | might try the com
= fort of a hymn, and you will remember
g this one. which. no doubt you have
v helped to sing back in Gods country.
There was moments hushed
pause. during which a rifle cracked
sharply out in the ravine; then the
reckless fellow, his head partially sup
ported against the protecting bowlder
lifted up full, rich barytOne in rendi
ton of that hymn of Christian faith
'Nearer. my God. TO Thee!
Nearer 10 Thee.
J Zen though Il be a cross
| That raiseth me,
| Still all my song shall be,
| Nearer. my God, to Thee!
| Nearer to Thee.
| Glazed and wearied eyes glanced
| cautiously toward the singer around
| the edges of protecting rocks; fingers
! loosened their grasp upon the rifle bar
! rels: smoke-begrimed checks became
| moist; while lips, a moment befor'
| profaned by oaths, grew silent ant
| trembling. Out in front revengefu
\ brave sent his bullet swirling JUS
Il above the singers head, the shar
4 fragments of rock dislodged falling Il
Z, a shower upon his uptuTned face; bu
i the fearless rascal sang serenely o
4 to the end, without a quayer
II Mistake it for death song likely
u he remarked dryly, while the las
clear. lingering note, reechoed by tn
n cliff, died reluctantly away in softene
II cadence. beautiful old song. Sc
geant, and I trust hearing it again ha
done you good Sang it once in
church way back in New Engan'
But what is the trouble? Did you ca
me for some special reason?'
Yes came the almost gruH r
sponse; for Wyman, the fever ste'
ing back upon him, felt half ashame
of his unshed tears. That is, pr
vided you retain sufficient sense
listen. Old ellis was shot over
hour ago yonder behind that b
bowlder and his girl sits there ST
holding his head in her lap. She'll g
hit also unless somebody pulls her o
of there and she's doing no good
Gillis-he's dead"
Hampton's clear-cut, expressive Ia
became graver, all trace of rockies
ness gone from it. He lifted his hei
you cautiously, peering over his rock GOV
Wy toward where he remembered EARL
cen in the fight ellis had sought refuge
to CTo BE CONTINUED)