Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1908-02-06

of the heart are warmed with hon
est affection.
In the early days Of June, j.
Arthur Boast returned perma-o
nently to Gold Valley, and at first
paid a great deal of attention to
Ruth, not as lover, but rather as
a friend of the family, and by ev-
cry artifce known to his cunning
endeavored to enlist her condol-
ence, knowing that nothing so
quickly gains woman s interest
as an appeal to her sympathies. He
constantly assumed the attitude
that no one was his friend, no one
understood the depths of his ma
ture, and it pleased him to hear
Ruth say that she appreciated him
and was sure she always would.
He said nothing derogatory of
Fred's character, but never lost an
opportunity to depreciate him, as
| If by so doing he could raise higher
his own puny standard in her esti7
nation.
Fred did not understand why
Boast left Waterville, especially as
it was rrmored that a great boom
had begun in that place, but not
long after. Boast return HE re-
ceived note from him, requesting
Fred to call at the hotel that even
ing Boast said he was slightly in
disposed and could not leave his
room, otherwise he would call at
the printing office
1t was after s O'Clock at night
when Fred rather reluctantly call
ed at the hotel, and at once went
to Boasts ROOM He found him
resting on a lounge, but as pains
takingly dressed as ever. He seem
ed weak and very pale and no long
er spoke in his usual thin, piping
voice, but in quiet, subdued man
ner that at once interested Fred
" [ sent for you, Mr.. Rockwell,
because 1 am lonely, and wish to
talk to you. 4 suppose you think
me supremely selfish in this as in
everything else, but have been
quite i'll the last week"
"We are admonished to visit
the Sick responded Fred good
naturally, and I am sure it is
only natural that one who is not
well should like some on til enliven
him up Bit
!" 1t is very kind of you to come,
I am sure, " Boast went on. 81
have worried a great deal about q
certain misunderstanding that
seems to exist between us.v
I Fred replied that he knew of nc
particular misunderstanding.
No." replied Boast "Not ar
open one, but / feel that you have
failed to comprehend mo from The
first, Mr.. Rockwell, and perhaps, il,
a measure, I have done you an in
justice and may not have interpret
ed your acts as I should. I do not
know whether there is any rela
tional philosophy in the circum
stances that seem to environ my
: life or not"
"Every life, we are told," re
piled Fred, is strewn with the
; broken fragments Of day dreams
! high resolves and unfulflled prom
Uses However, 1 presume W.
! should mold circumstances rather
than permit circumstances to molt
u.s."
!; "That's it, said Boast. eth,
: eternal trying to direct our DIES
tiny brings on an endless conflict
not only between men, but will
7 ones self. | have almost mad
up my mind THAT it is quite i'm
! possible for a man to hew out hi
= own fate. Now, as a matter o
Z fact, I respect you, Mr.. Rockwell
! and have confidence in your abilit,
honesty and Judgment. I thin
I you are making a great success o
the Prospector. / cannot tell yo1
= nor can I understand myself, tn
: reason for this confidence and re
spect. I also feel that you col
: daily dislike me, while on the 9th
: er hand I have missed no chanc
. Of making uncharitable remark
, u concerning you. Why, do nc
!, know"
y y Fred was surprised at this seem
! ing sincerity and began to believ
that possibly his scales had bee
u fn,nlt.r II, moi o.l,s,,o. H.. ..An.,