Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-10

day i'm and day out with his chin sunk in
thought.
Winter passed and spring doomed upon
the hills. Like the flags of a conquering
army the trees shook out their green
banners and the birds sang in the thick
cts. Then summer came and the wiz
grapes ripened in their tangled coverts.
In the little cabin on tire central spur
RoSieS hour had come. She lay upon her
rude pallet. her face stamped with an
undefnabe terror. The holy mystery OF
motherhood confronted her. Pete was
there, silent. helpless. His oX-like strength
could not help her. An old woman and
little girl were in the room. The woman
lived in a miserable hut at the base OF the
mountain with her grandchiid and sided
with neither faction. Pete had prevailed
upon her to come With the rising OF HE
moon a boy was born. The mother lay
very still.
Pete" she said. after long time,
send fur 'em-your dad. my dad.
The man was dumb; he could not leave
her He swept his eyes around helplessly.
The ten-year-old girl understood and
came forward.
fust. cause it's the closest. Then him
an me en- ride. I'm moi 'feard.'
She slipped out into the night.
Long Jake listened to the story. jerked
out in gasps. for the child had run most
of Tie way. He thought for a few min
utes then went and saddled his horse,
took the child up behind him and rode off.
Half way to the Skidmores he stopped.
dismount ed spoke briefly TO MS compan-
ion. then sat down on the roots OF tree
to wait with his head IN MS hahos- ne
olfn figure astride the big horse sped on
alone. Wild Bill binked and stared at
the tale he heard.
He's waitin fur ye at the ben il
Postum Holler," the girl concluded. an
he amt got nary wecpon. n IL S a boy
Xxx
Two men rode down a rocky gorge one
summer night. stirrup TO stirrup. There
were no signs OF weapons upon either
and they said never a word. a child rode
behind one holding with bonn hahds Il
his coarse shirt After a while the horse
men debouched into small open' thei
trailed diagonally up the side of the neu
trail spur. Before the lonely CABIN upoi
| it's top they drew rein. swung themselves
| to earth and hitched to different limbs o
the same tree. Long Jake reached M
door first-it was his daughter. VIA oil
and the little messenger followed closer.
behind. and they all went in: The talloV
candle on the shelf above the cot gut
tered and shed yellow. unnatural llsh
around No one had thought 10 snuH IL
Wild Bill walked over and Win ms norm.
| finger and thumb pinched on the clarree
wick. The candle blazed up ai.esh' WI,
| the heavy tread of boots on the oakei
floor the young mother opened her eye
YEARLY. She saw her father standing a
! her feet wordless: little distance ava!
! was the ancient enemy or her mouse.
, dad ;, She said. in a faint voice, come
| ere
She raised her right hand and beckonec
feebly The gaunt figure obeyed. but stil
stood awed. and not knowing what 10 90
moaned Rosie with the queTulous wall o
| q child
Wild Bill moved 10 her other side
I'm here. gal,T he said. but throu2l
/ the gruffness in his voice ran strain %
pity
/ The sufferer looked up. and a smile came
| TO her face
"You-Wild Bill Shidnore-an you
| dad-it's time 10 quit KILN. The olood