The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-07-30
Continues from last week

$500 h 6A4u yOu w
come. Hope you can grant his desire
whatever 1t may be. To see you. te
speak with you, seems his only wish
Esther's strained face touched him
Don't give way" he said kindly. He
doesn't suffer. rye done what little
could to relieve him. He'll go without
pain. l."
oh. must he--is there no chance
for she hesitated a~nxiously.
None. Miss Anthony. And there
are only minutes. Go in-give him his
wish, IL you can. I'll stay near: call
me IL you need me-"
She entered, and he shut the door,
leaving her alone with Gideon.
He turned his head feebly at her
step.
"Moppett!"
She was down beside him, tears fall.
ing UNDECIDED.
Don't cry, Start I'm not sorry. IN
glad to die"
"Oh, Gideon. don't say that! You
must live-must-"
Little Start" His voice was trem.
ulous with weakness. II wasn't
you'll be happy. / won't have to see
him" Each word was more difficult
and he waited for strength. rs Vim
cent here?"
She nodded.
Call him, Stella"
But when she moved to obey, his
weak fingers closed over hers de-
tainingly. mo, no! I can't do it," he
cried out with sudden strength. After
you rode out OF town yesterday, l
watched you a while through the
glass. then went that way, Star-out
that way-in time! Yes, In time!
And before I saw you enter the cut"
he was silent an instant, his waiting
soul in his eyes; 'and ever since, too.
I've said--Pd tell Vincent myself"
Gideon! Don't! It's past. You
need not"
Sweet Start" The tenderness in
his faint words smote Esther. Il can't
tell him. i can't spare the time from
you-you've been so l~ong-coming!
But you'll tell him, Stella. won't you?
Tell him that I-I-tried to be white
at last; but I'm ~only-oh, Stella! only
an Injun! oh, Start" The last word
was a despairing cry. almost inarticu.
late.
mo, no, Gideon! You've atoned.
You've been brave and"
Hsi face was turned away. His eyes
were closed, and Esther leaned closer,
listening for his waning breath. Was
this the last? She must call-no, he
breathed more deeply. She laid her
hand on his forehead, kissed his cheek
softly.
At that he opened his eyes and
smiled. "One promise, Stella. Will
your" He reached feebly for her
hand.
She nodded. "If / can"
BURY me-bury me out here--out
"Oh, Gideon, don't ask that! It's
so far, SO lonely!"
mo; it's-I love 1t! No mummery,
only a little song and some words from
the Book. In that spot where the
posies-where you sat yesterday-only
yesterday" he moased family.
Gideon, dear. how can we" She
took both his hands In her own.
Promise, Star"
She bowed her head, her tears fall.
ing fast.
Don't. Stella! / can't dry" He
paused. a new thought claiming him.
"El Rancho Guerrero is yours"
She shook her head.
Yes. Your fathers brother was my
You must. You'll love it," He
searched her face ~anxiously.
She remembered the doctors words,
and acquiesced. Yes, I'll love it
love 1t for your sake. Gideon. for the
sake OF the old times"
His eyes warmed almost to smiling.
she freed one hand and gently
smoothed back the dark hair; and for
q time he was quite still. content.
The little arrow. did you-ever
wear it?.. he asked family. Il wish /
could-see 1t in-your hair" The
whispered words came with eff
fort.
did you send it. GideonY" Her face
lighted. 1T Is so beautiful"
He smiled his reply. and his satisfac-
ton.
MY room is next to this. Shall I
get it,"
YES. But don't lst-any one come.
You--alone-I want"
Esther rose. wondering at such q
fancy 1T such q moment; wondering
II she ought to leave him. In q second
she was back. Even az she went. she
tossed her hair loosely on top Of her
head, A. Gideon had liked II, and shot
the ~glittering shaft through.
He watched her with fond eyes as
she came to the bed and knelt down.
sYou are very beautiful. Moppett."
be whispered, AZ she took his hands
esain In herr.
Long h6 gaxed into her face.
She kissed him on check and fore
head. At last lightly on the lips.
Mine! Mine for this hour!" he said
With : breath Of his old passion. His
eyes grew deep and darker with their