Mexico Missouri message., 1907-01-17

"As Il you needed to waif for me
when I am here now ready Dor you.
willing to be takont"
Don't. don't, aearl There are two
OF mo now. and one cant stand the
pain. There Is a man In me. sworn
to do a mans work like a man. and
duty TO God and the priesthood has big
chains around his heart dragging Il
across the river. But low. now
there 10 little foriurn boy in me. too
"a poor. crying, whimpering. babyish
little boy, who dreamed OF y0u ard
longed for you and was promised you
and who will never get well OF losing
you. Oh, know Il well enouRl-his
tears win mover dry. his heart viii al
ways have a big hurt in it--apd your
Sece will always be so fresh and clear
in iti"
He put his hands on her shoulders
and looked down into the face under
the bonnet.
Let mo make sure I shall lose GO
look OF you. from little tilted chin and
lips OF scarlet thread, and little teeth
Ike grains OF rice, and eyes into which
used to wander and wonder so far"
She looked past him and stepped
back.
Capt. 0irnway IL coming for me-.
yonder. away down the street. He
takes me to. Carthage"
His face hardened as he looked over
HIS shoulder.
Il shall never wed any woman bu,
you. Can you feel as deeply as thaty
Will you wed no man but me?"
She fiuttered the cherry ribbons on
the bonnet and fixed stray curl
In front of one err.
Have you right TO ask thatg
might wait a time for you TO como
back-to your senses and to me,
but"
"Good.by, darlingl"
What, will you so that way-not
kiss me? He Is still two blocks
away"
Il am so weak for you, sweet--the
little boy in me Is crying for you, but
he must not have what he wants.
What he wants would leave his heart
rebelllous and not perfect with the
Lord. It's best not" he continued,
with an effort at a smile and In
steadier tone. 1T would mean so
much to mech, so very much to me
and so very little TO you--and that's
no real kiss. I'd rather remember
mono OF that kInd--and don't think I
was churlish--it's only because the
little boy-I will go after my father
now. and God bless you'll"
He turned away. A few PAGES on he
met Capt. Girnway. jaunty. debonaIr,
smiling, handsome In his brass-but.
toned uniform OF the Carthage Grays.
Il have Just left the ferry, Mr.. Rae.
The wagon with your mother has gone
over. The other had not yet come
down. Some OF the men appear to be
a little rough this morning. Your
people are apt to provoke them by be.
ing too outspoken. but l left special
orders for the good treatment OF your.
self and outfit"
With half-smothered thank YOU
he passed on. not trusting himself 10 |
say more to one who was not only the |
enemy OF his people, but bent, seem.
ingly, on deluding n young woman to |
the loss Of her soul. He heard their |
voices In cheerful greeting, but did NOT |
turn back. with eyes to the front and |
shoulders squared he kept stifly on
his way through the silent, deserted |
streets TO the ferry.
Fifteen minutes walk brought him
to the now busy waterside. The ferry, !
a nat boat propelled by long oars. was
landing when he came into view, and |
he saw his fathers wagon driven on. |
He sped down the hill. pushed through |
the crowd of soldiers standing about,
and hurried forward on the boat to let |
the old man know he had come. But |
on the seat was another than his IA |
ther. He recognised the man, and
called 60 him.
What are you doing there. Brother |
Keaton? Where's my father?''
The man had shrnnk back under the
wagoncover. having seemingly been
frightened BY the soldiers.
I've taken your fathers place,
Brother Rae"
did he cross with Brother
Wright"
~Yes--he--" The man hesltAtsd.
Thea came an interruptions from the
shore.
Come. cIear-the gnngway there 10
we can loadi Here are some more Of |
the damned rats we've hunted out Of
their hoses!"
The speaker made a haig-piayeuI
hinge With hsu thavonaf ~ n e.,,uA 1
yellOw-faeed spectcr OF a man who
staggered on 70 the boat with = child
In his arms wrapped IN a taitered blue
quiIt. A gust Of tho chilly wind picked
his shapelesa, looeeshttine hat on as he
I6aped TO avoid the bayonet.polnt. and
hin head was seon 70 be shaver. TIE
orowd on the bank laughed loud At
his clumslness and az his grotesque
head. Joel Rae ran TO help him for
ward on the boat.