West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-02-06

you don't mind my congra tulation,
you know me too well for that. How
does IL feel to be q winnsrf'
81 don't know. I've lost"
Lost whatY'
"Everything-except the gold mine. I"
Everything except-I see! You
mean that she-that you have asked
her. and she won'tf" He never knew
the cost at which she held her voice nc
steady.
More than that. It's so new that II
hurts yet. and II viii continue to hur,
for a long time. suppose. but to
morrow I am going back to my hills
and my valleys. back to the Midas and
my work. and try to begin all over.
| For a time I've wandered I'm strange
paths, seeking new gods. as II were,
but the dazzle has died out Of my eyes
and I can see true again. She isn't
for me, although shall always love
her. I'm sorry can't forget easily. as
some do. It's hard to look ahead and
take an interest In things. But what
about you? Where shall you go?"
at don't know. II doesn't really
matter-now." Tho dusk hid her white,
/ set face. and she spoke monotonousiy.
IL am going to see the Bronco Kid. He
sent for me. He's ILL.,"
He's not q bad sort" said Roy.
And I suppose he'll make new
/ start too"
'Perhaps." said she. gazing far out
over the gloomy ocean. at all de-
| Ponds" After a moment she added.
"What pity that we can't all sponge
of the slate and begin afresh and
forgetr'
IT'S part Of the game" said he. 81
don't know Why It's 30. but II Is. I'll
see you sometimes, won't If'
"No. boy: think not"
IL believe I understand" he muir
| INJURED. land perhaps it's better So"
He took her two soft hands In his one
| good right and kissed them. God
bless you and keep you. dear. bravo lit
tie Cherry"
| She stood straight and still as he
melted into the shadows, and only the
moonlight heard her pitlfuI sob and
her hopeless whisper;
"Goodby. my boy. my boy"
| He wandered down beside tho seu,
for his battle was not yet won. and
until he was surer OF himself he could
not endure the ribaldry and rejoicing
Of his fellows. A welcome lay waiting
for him In every public place. but nc
one there could know the mockcry OF
II. no one could gauge the desolation
that was his.
The sand, wet, packed and hard as O
1 a.. l.l..
less steps. and thus II was that he
came silently upon the one woman as
she stood beside the silver surf. Had
he seen her FIRST he would have skunk
past I'm the landwnrd shadows. but
recognizing his tall form. she called
and he came. while II seemed that his
lungs grew suddenly CONSTRUCTED. ms
though bound out with steel hoops
The very pleasure Of her sight panied
him. He advanced eagerly, and yet
with hesitation. standing stifiiy nlooi
while his heart fiuttered and his tongue
grew dumb. At last she saw his
bandages and her manner changed
abruptly. Coming closer she touched
them with caressing fingers
ITS nothing-nothIng at ALL" no sale
while his voice jumped out OF all con
troll When are you-going awayY"
II do not know-not for some time
He had supposed she would 20 TO
morrow with her uncle and-the other
to be with them through their travail
With warm lmpetuoslty she began
ut was noble thing you did to
day. Oh, I am glad and proud"
Il prefer you to think OF me In tina
way. rather than as the Wild beast 70,
saw this morning. for I was mad. per
fectly mad with hatred and revenge
and every wild impulse that comes t
defeated man. You see. had playe,
and lost, played and lost. again an,
again. till there was nothing left
What mischance brought you there
1t was a terribly brutal thing. bu
you can't understand"
"But I can understand. do.
know all about It now. I know tn,
wild rage OF desperation: know tn,
exultation Of victory; know WIN
hate and fear are now. You told m,
once that the wilderness had made yo,
savage. and I laughed at II just Al
1 did when you said that my contac
with big things would teach me tn,
ruth. that we're all alike. and tina
those motives are In us all. I see nov
that you were right and was ver-
simple. I learned great deal las
night"
II have learned much also" said he
II wish you might teach me more"
T-I-don't think I could teach yo,
any MORE" she hesitated.
He moved as though to speak. bu
held back and tore his eyes away from
her.
"WeilT' she inquired. gazing at hin
covertIy.
"once, a long time ago, I read
lovers petition. and ever since know
Ing you ] have made the constan
prayer that l might be given tn,
purity to be worthy the good in yo,
and that you might be granted tn.
patience to reach the good in me. bu
It's no use. But at least I'm glad W,
have met on common ground. as I
were, and that you understand. in
measure. The prayer could not be an
swered; bat through Il have foun,
| agk