The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1908-04-10


Good God! A man can't stand
everything" cried Langford, hoarsely.
He tore the knotted handkerchief
from his throat. 1t was as If he was
choking. Then he put his cool, strong
hand to her burning forehead and
gently smoothed back the rough hair.
Gradually, the fixed look Of an inde-
scribe horror passed away from her
face. The strained, hard eyes soften
ed. became dewy. She looked at him.
a clinging helplessness in her eyes,
but sweet and sane.
Don't you worry, child" he said
comfortingly. They can't help find
ing him. Twenty men with the sheriff
start on the trail. Therell be SO be-
fore night. They can't help finding
him. I'm going to stay right here
with you till doc comes. I'll catch
up with them before they've gone far.
I'll send word to the boys not to wait.
Must be somebody around the house, l
reckon, besides the old lady"
He started cheerily for the door.
Mr. Langford."
"Yes?"
please come back"
He came quickly TO her.
What is it,"
Mr.. Langford, will you grant me
favor?'
Certainly, Miss Mary. Anything in
this world that | can do for you | will
do. You know that. don't you?"
Il am all right now. | don't think
l shall get crazy again if you will let
me sit here by this window and look
out. If | can watch for him, it will
give me something to do. You see,
could be watching all the time for the
party to come back over that little
rise up the road. l want you to
promise me-" she went on, steadily,
that | may sit here and wait for
you-to come back
God knows you may, little girl, any.
way till doc comes"
You are wiser than doc pursued
the girl. "He is good fellow, but
foolish. you know, sometimes. He
might not understand. He might like
to use authority over me because
am his patient-when he did not un-
derstand. Promise that | may sit till
you come back"
Il do promise. little girl. Tell him
said so. Tell him
Il will tell him you are-the boss"
she said. with a pitiful little attempt
at a jest, and smiling wanly. He will
mind-the boss"
Langford was in agony. Perspira-
ton was springing out on his fore.
head though August was wearing
away peacefully in soft GOODNESS with
drifting depths of white cloud as
lOunging-robe-a blessed repreve
from the blazing sun of the long
weeks which had gone before.
And then want you to promise
me- went on Mary. quietly, that you
will not think any more of staying be-
hind. | could not bear that. | trust
you to go. You will won't you?"
Yes, will so. | will do anything
you say. And | want you to believe
that every thing will be all right. They
would not dare to kill him now, know
ing that we are after them. If we are
not back tonight, you will not worry,
will you? They had SO much the start
of us"
Il will try not to worry"
well. good bye. Be good girl,
won't you?"
Il will try" she answered. wearily.
With last look into the brave,
sweet face. and smothering a mad. un.
cOwman-like desire to stay and COM
fort this dear little woman while 9TH
ers rode away in stirring quest, Lang
ford strobe from the sick-room into
the kitchen.
Don't let her be alone any more
than you can help. Mother White" he
said, brusqmely, ''and don't worry her
about going to bed"
Have Il bite afore you start, Mr..
Langford. do urged the good woman.
Hospitality. You're that worn out
you're white around the glls. I'll bet
you havn't had AIRY bite O breakfast"
Il had forgotten-but you are right
No. thank you. I'll not stop for any
thing now. I'll have to ride like king
dom come. I'm late. Be good to her,
Mother White" this last over his
shoulder as he sprang to his mount
from the kitchen stoop.
tTo Be Continued