The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-05-28
'The Shadow Between
-B Y-
SILAS X. HOOKING.
SILAS X. HOOKING.

fired. IL was all done in no time, as
il we're, an between ourselves there
amt no time to be lost"
rs ne dangerously hurt?' she ask
ed, still cycling her visitor suspicious
ly.
II fear so, missy, | fear SO; but l for
got to give you this bit Of paper he
sent" and he pulled a crumpled note
out of his vest pocket.
She recognized the writing in a mo-
ment, though it was written with a
feeble n unsteady hand, but there
could be no mistake about its genu-
~ineness.
Come. little girl, at once. I'm near
the finish.-R. w"
"Ill be with you in a moment" she
said with a gasp. Wont you wait by
the fire."
"Thanky,~missy. III stand here IL I
may" and he struck a fuse and light
ed a cigar.
A few minutes later they were
tramping side by side along the muddy
track which in time would become a
busy street. Very few words passed
between them. The wind buffeted
them and the rain came down in blind
ing drifts. The man smoked stolidly,
needless Of the rain; the girl kept
close to his side, thankful for his un-
spoken sympathy.
She was too stunned to think clear
ly or to feel acutely. She half doubt
ed whether she was awake. She had
experienced in dramas a very similar
feeling. Everything seemed chaotic
and unreal.
They reached at length the center
OF the town and drew up in what
seemed to be a blind alley. A knot of
rough looking men fingered round an
open door In spite Of the rain, and
spoke to each other in d~isjointed SEN
fences.
Marion West and her companion
passed through the open door without
a word. The light within almost
blinded her after the outer darkness.
1t was a squalid room. The floor was
Uttered with cigar ends and half-burnt
matches. Here and there tables were,
overturned and wrecked, chairs were
huddled into a corner.
On a straw mattress at one end of
the room was stretched the body of a
nan Marion walked straight TO him
without a word, and knelt down on the
floor by his side. He smiled feebly
for a moment but did not speak, and
Marion ZEN over and kissed him on
the forehead again and again.
An old woman who had been acting
as nurse raised his head and gave him
something to drink, then withdrew
silently to the ear Of the room. Half
score of men stood round the door,
anything.
For several moments there was not
a sound. Dick West seemed to be
gathering all his strength together for
a final effort. Then he whispered:
Put your ear close to my lips, Mari
on
She obeyed instantly.
I've written a little and put Il in
this envelope" he said, feebly.
Eyes, dad" she answered, with a
sob.
you needn't fret" he went on.
You'll be better off without me-
mo. no." and the words ended in a
wall.
I've taken my chance, and | don't
complain" he went on, and a look of
defiance flashed in his Eyes for a Sec
ond. IF / were to get better I'd take
my chance again; but | never shall.
I'm winged this time, and there's nc
mistake about it,"
But you may get better, dad" she
sobbed.
Don't interrupt me, Marion, or I
shall never finish what I want to say.
When I'm gone. clear put OF Odero at
once. Sell everything-there isn't
much-and 60 to England; II is your
proper home, Take the note I've writ.
ten to Mayhem of Exeter. He'll look
after you. Everything of value is in
my cowhide trunk"
He paused for several moments as
If exhausted, and an ooze Of blood
dyed his rapidly paling lips.
At a sign from Marion the old wo-
man came forward again and raised
his head a little, and, after wiping his
lips. gave him something to drink.
Through the lung" she whispered
sententiously to Marion, and she
shrugged her shoulders m%eapingly.
Marion understood only too well,
and braced herself for the inevitable.
There's a silver box" he gasped
feebly. after a long pause, "at the bot
tom of the trunk. 1t contains all the
necessary papers. Give ito May
hew. He'll know. You'll learn-some
day"
He opened his eyes wide and stared
round him. "What-was I saying?"
he painted in a low whisper. Come
nearer, Marion. I--I-cannot see you
-"
"l'm quite close to you dad" she
said, laying her hand upon his brow.
Where am II" he gasped. IL
was"
But the sentence was cut short by a
rush OF blood through his lips and
nostrils.
The old woman came forward again
and raised HIS head.