The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-01-22

mass of curious faces without. she
was very pale, but quiet and self
possessed. She had rallied when
Langford had whispered to her that
Gordon's heart was still beating. The
doctor raped loudly, calling to Lang
ford to open. Paul admitted him and
then stepped out in full sight of all,
his hand still on the knob The late
moon was just rising. A faint light
spread out before him.
Boys he cried. a great grief in his
stern voice, its murder Dick Cor
don's murdered. Now get-you know
what for-and be quick about it,
They laid him gently on the floor,
took off his coat and cut away the
blood-soaked shirts. Louise assisted
with deft, tender hands Presently
the heavy lids lifted. the gray eyes
stared vacantly for a moment-then
smiled Paul bent over him.
What happened, old man." the
wounded man whispered gropingly. 1t
required much effort to say this little.
and shadow of pain fell over his
face.
Hush. Dick, dear boy" said Lang
ford. with catch in his voice You're
all right now, but you mustn't talk.
You're too weak. We are going to
move you across to the hotel"
But what happened" he insisted.
You were shot, you know. Dick.
Keep quiet now! I'm going for a
stretcher.'
Am | done for?' the weak voice
kept on. But there was no fear in it.
You will be if you keep on talking
like that
Obeying sign from the doctor he
slipped away and out. Gordon closed
his eyes and was still for long time.
His face was white and drawn with
suffering.
Has he fainted?" WHISPERED Louise.
The eyes opened quickly They fell
upon Louise, who had not time to
draw away. The shadow of the old
his lips.
Louise, he whispered.
Yes. it is L. she said, laying her
hand lightly on his forehead. You
must be good until Paul gets back
I'm done for, SO the rest of the
criminal calendar will have to go over.
You can go back to-God's county
sooner than you thought,
II am not going back 1o-God's
country" Said Louise. unexpectedly.
She had not meant to say it, but she
meant it when she said it.
Come here, close to me Louise"
said Gordon. in low voice. He had
forgotten the doctor. You had better
I'LL get up if you don't Closer still.
| want you to-kiss me before Paul
gets back
Louise grew white. She glanced hes
itatingly at the doctor, timidly at the
new lover in the old man. Then she
bent over him where he lay stretched
on the floor and kissed him on the
lips. A great light came into his eyes
before he closed them contentedly and
slipped into Inconsistencies again.
Langford rounded up Jim Munson
and sent him across with a stre.cher,
and then ran upstairs for an extra
blanket off his own bed 1t was bitter
ly cold, and Dick must be we'll
wrapped. On the upper landing he en-
countered Mary alone Something in
her desolate attitude stopped him.
What's the matter. Mary?" he de-
manded. selling her hands.
Nothing she answered, DULY.
How is he?"
'All right. | trust and pray, but hurt
terribly, wickedly"
He did not quite understand. Did
she love Gordono Was that why she
looked so heartbroken? Taking her
face in his two hands, he compelled
her to look at him straight
Now tell me- he said.
Did | kill him?' she asked.
Kill whom"
Why. him-Jesse Black
Then he understood
Mary, my girl, was it YOU? Were
those last shots yours" All the ri
otous love in him trembled on his
tongue.
Did II she persisted.
God grant YOU did he said, sol
EMMY. There is blood outside the
window, but he is gone
Il don't like to kill people. she said,
brokenly. Why do | always have TO
do it?''
He drew her to him strongly and
held her close against his breast.
You are the bravest and best girl
on earth he said. My girl---you are
my girl, you know-hereafter / will
do all necessary killing formy wife
He kissed the sweet, quivering lips
as he said it,
Why Jim" cried Langforc in sur
prise Il thought YOU had gone with
the stretcher'
Il did go" said Tim. swallowing
hard. He shifted nerNously from one
spurred foot to the other. But /