Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1907-06-13

IN the Hgnt OF the nre the Httie
man could see their faces, and he be-
came suddely coherent. smiling at
them In the old way.
"why have you come 80 far in the
night?" he asked Prudence. taking
one OF her cool hands between his own
that burned.
But. you poor little fatheri Why
have you come, when you should be
home In bed? You are burning with
fever"
Eyes, yer. dear, but it's over now.
This Ia the end. came hereto be
in the body. And they will come
to find me here. You must go before
they come"
"who will find your"
"They from the church. didn't
mean to do IT, but when l was on my
feet something forced It out OF me.
! knew what they would do. but
was ready to die. and hoped | could
awaken some of them"
But no one shall hurt you"
Don't tempt me to stay any
longer. dear, even II they would let
me. oh, you don't know, you don't
know and that DEVILS drumming over
there 20 madden me as on that other
night But it's just-my God, how
just"
Come away. then. Ruel will find
your horse. and wen ride home"
IT'S too late-don't ask me to leave
my hen now. II would only follow
me. II was this way that night-the
night before--the beating got into my
blood and hammered on my brain
till | Ilidn't know. Prudence. must
tell ynu-everything-"
He glanced at Follett appeallngly.
as he had looked at the others when
he left the platform that day. be.
seeching some expressions OF friend
| illness
"YeS, must tell you-everything. y
But his face lighted as Follett inter.
rupted him.
"You tell her" said Follett, dog
gedly, bow you saved her that day
and kept her like your own and
brought her up 10 be a good woman
-that's what you tell her." The graf
itude in the little mans eyes had
| grown with each word. $685..
Yes. yes. dear. have loved you
like my own little child. but your
father and mother were killed here
that day-and l found you and loved
you--suoh a dear forlorn little Girl
will you hate me now?" he broke OF
anxiously. She had both his hands
In her own.
But why, how could | hate you,
You are my dear little sorry father
all I've known. ! shall always love
you"
THAT will be good to take with me.
he said. smiling again. ITS all I've
got to take-it's all I've had since this
day found you. You are good" h
said. turning to Follett.
"Oh. shucksl" answered Follett.
A smile OF rare contentment played
over the little mans face.
In the silence that followed. thu
funeral drum came booming In upoI
them over the ridge. and once the!
saw an Indian from the encampmen
standing on top OF the hill to lool
down at their fire. Then the littl,
man spoke again.
"You will go with him." he said 4
Prudence "He will take you out o
here and back to your mothers pee
pie"
She's going to marry me-" sai
Follett. The little man smiled a
this.
1T is right--the GENTLE has come b
take you away. The Lord 10 cur
ming in His vengeance. felt It mus
be so when saw you together"
After this he was so quiet for
time that they Thought he was sleeI
Ing. But presently he grew restles
again, and said to Follett:
II want you to have me buried here
up there 10 the north, 800 yarde froI
here on the right. is q dwarf ceda
standing alone. Straight over III
ridge from that and halfway dow
the other sidO "a another cedar grow
ing at the foot OF ledge. Below this
ledge Is q grave. There are stone
piled fiat. and a cross cut In the on
toward the cedar. Make a grave b
eide that one. and put me in titus
as am, Remember that--uncotiine'
Il must be that way, remembe
There's a little book here in thl
pocket. Let II stay with mo-bS
. surely uncoffined. remember. ass
the rest of them were"
"Eut. fnther, why talk so7 You ~
: going home with us."
There. dear. it's all right, an
you'T feel kind about me always whe
you remember met"
''Doe't--don't talk 80"
III that beating would only stay OF
OF my brain--ihe thing Is crawling b
!. hind me again! oh. no. not yet--nl
) yet; Say this with me. dear;
! -'The Lord Is my Shepherd; aha
1 not want
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