The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-11-19
.ound Dick, but it looked as If he came

GdliucI lDS LINN ~ ~ las
raised him until his head rested on his
knees. Forcing open his mouth, he
poured a little water down his throat.
Then with a moistened handkerchief
wetted temples and wrists. Slowiy
Dick struggled back to life.
Water water it's water!" he
gasped, struggling for more of the
precious fluid.
Easy" cautioned Jack. "oniy a
little now-more when you're stronger
who Is it?" cried Dick. Not wait
ing for Jack to enlighten him, he con-
tinued: "No matter-you came In time.
I couldn't lave held out any oager.
All the springs are dry figured on
reaching Clearwater"
Jack helped Dick to his feet. Taking
mis- stricken friends right arm. he DIRE"
1t across his shoulders. With his left
arm about his waist, Jack led him to a
seat upon a convenient rock.
"I came by Clearwater yesterday
explained Jack. at is nothing but mud
Inc alkali."
MY horse dropped three days ago.
1 had to shoot the pack mule. T.
Dick opened his eyes under the minis
trations of Jack. Gazing upward into
his face, he shouted joyfully;
"Why-it's Jack-Jack Payson."
Didn't you know me, Dick?" asked
Jack alphabetically.
mot at first-my eyes went to the
bad yonder in the glare"
The effort had been too much for
Dick. He sank weakly over Jacks
knees. Jack turned him partly on his
back, and let more water trickle down
his throat. Dick clutched madly. at the
canteen, but Jack drew 1t back or OF
his reach. With his handkerchia # he
moistened his lips n neck. When
Dicks strength returned, Jack helped
him to sit up.
eve been hunting you for months
he told him.
Hunting for me?" echoed Dick.
Eyes," answered Jack. 81 traced You
through the Lost Cities, then to Cooney,
then up in the Tularosas. AT Fort
Grant they put me or the right trail
As the clouds break, revealing The
blue of tho heavens, so Dicks rnamors-
came back to him. He shrank lTcn
the man at his side.
betrayer.
Jack gazed 1xedly ahead. He dared
not look into the face of him he had
wronged so bitterly.
"She wants you." he said, in q voice
void of all emotion.
"Who wants me?" asked Dick. after
a pause.
Echo"
your wife?" gritted Dick. He IN
gered his gun as he spoke.
Huskily Jack replied: Yes"
Bitter thoughts filled the mind OF
one; the other had schooled himsel II To
make atonement. For the wrong he
had done, Jack was ready to offer his
life. He had endured the full mes sure
of his s~ufferings. The hour of his de-
livery was at hand. Hard as It was
to die in the midglory of manhood, 1t
was easier to end 1t all here and now,
than to live unloved by Echo, hated
by Dick, despised by himself.
Ssh sent me to find you Bring him
back to me- That's what she said
Jack cried, in his agony.
"Your wife-she said that?" falte:ed
Dick.
Fiercely in his torture Jack an
swered: "Yes-my wife-my wife SAID
it. Bring him back to me-"
"Back?" Dick paused. Back to
what?" he asked himself. She's your
wife, isn't she" he demanded.
That's what the law says" answered
Jack.
With the thought of the evening In
the garden when he heard Jack and
Echo pronounced man and wife surg
ing over him, Dick murmured: What
| God hath iainnH tnOathpr LET M man
put asunder.'
That's what the Book says" an
swered Jack. But when hands alone
are Joined and hearts are asundee, 1t
can't go on record as the work Of
God"
Dick bowed his head in his hands.
1T don't understand"
%Stubbornly Jack pursued his message
to Dick. "She doesn't love me-. I
thought | had won her. but she MR.
ried me with you image in her heart.
She married me, yet all the while you
were the man she loved-you-you-
and in the end I found it out"
Jacks voice sank almost into a
whisper as he finished his revelation 20
Dick, who raised his head and cried
"And yet she broke faith with me-
! Jack arose III MS ulISeiI. his "a
was harder han he expected. Dick
was forcing him to tell all without con-
cealing even the smallest trifie of his
shame.
"She thought-you were dead. |
never told her otherwise. l lied to her
Il lied to her.
She never knew?' asked Dick joy-
fully. 1.-THE letter."
"I never gave it to her" answered
Jack simply.
Dick leaped to his feet, pulling his re-
volver from his holster. And I
thought her false to her trusti' He
aimed his gun at Payson's heart. Il
ought to kill you for this"
Jack spread out his arms and calmly
replied I'm ready
Dick dropped his u and slipped II
into the holster with a gesture of de-
spair. "But it's too late now.stoo late
In his eagerness to tell Dick the way
he had solved the problem. Jack spoke
nervously and quickly. mo, 1t isn't
too late. There's one way out of this
-one way in which | can atone for the
wrong I've done you both. n | stand
ready to make that atonement. 1t ~
your right to kill me, but it Is better
that you go back to her without my
blood on your hands