La Junta tribune., 1908-02-22

door was closed behind him: then she
plunged into the laurel and sped along
the trail toward home.
Sunday she went II number OF times
to the bowi,icr. whence she could see
Toms cabin. but not once WAS the
door opened during the day. Monday
the drag saw stood idle where the
shingle blocker had left 1t. And now
new source of uneasiness came to
Tilly. The silent. deserted look Of
Toms cabin filled her with fear. II
WAS not that she feared Tom had gone
away. The unfinished work. the half
cut shingle block and the disorder of
things told her that he had not gone.
Tom was ill-Or-Tilly clutched at her
temples to stay the tlirobbing. No.
Tom could not be dead.
Tuesday rilly crept through the lau-
rel. pissed the base OF the bowider
and went on slowly. but unhesitating
~. up the side Of the mountain toward
the cabin where Tom lived alone.
An she neare.l the cabin she quick
ened her step. Had she waited too
long? Oh, II Tom would only speak
to her when she raped ut the door!
She stool full minute with her small
knuckles poised to strike the rough
boslrds. Her heart beat tumultuOusly
and her knees grew weak as she
thought Of what might have happened
In that cabin.
At last the knuckles fell upon the
board. and faint. hollow txttoO echoed
from the Interior But no other sound
came In answer, a terrible sense Of
horror fell upon TIIly. and quick
fever parched her lips aud tongue.
Then suddenly her knuckles beat a
long nervous rattle upon the door, and,
bowing her head against the board.
she moaned:
"Oh. Tom
A moment elapsed. then
''Tllly, Tiliy" came family from un-
der the door.
With mn eSuberant joy Tilly reached
for the latchstring. and the door swung
inward. On the floor, with his head
near the doorway. lay Tom. His face
was sunken and salIow. and his eyes
seemed far back In his head. Tiiy
clasped her hands and stood looking
down upon him. that sickness OF soul
which had characterized her feelings
for the last week again coming upon
her.
Tom. ye've been lynn here since
Saturday. amt yey'
Tilly dropped by his side and took
one Of his hnnds in hers
''An' It's all my fault. Tom. I heard
yer saw goin' day an night an never
stoppin'. nn' was feared 1t whs com
In to this"
no. Tilly: 1t was all my fault. IL
didn't think 1t would scare We so An
arter what I'd done an We would not
forgive me an told me never to speak
to We again had to work hard to
keep from thinkin' about It all. Do We
forgive me now. Tiiiyr
lilly raised Toms head ON her arm
and laid her cool fingers upon his
brow.
Il forgive ye afore I got home. Tom.
hut didn't want to 60 back an tell
ye. An'-an'. Tom. II ye knowed how
been feelin' abou: It ever since I
reckon ye'd forgive me-"
Forgive ye. Tilly? It's Iike-like
takin' a peep Into paradise to'have ye
back again. An now when I yet q
leetle stronger we'll have that new
cabin"
Never mind the new cabin. Tom.
The old one II good enough for the
likes o me. An now I'm soln' to
help ye to bed an get ye somethin' to
eat"
I'm lot better now. Tilly. Jest
had dizziness somehow. But I'm sot
ON havin' the new cabin"
Well. then, We'll have It, an ri
bless every Log ye touch"
T1lly klssed him. And just then the
sun. coming from behind Z cloud. threw
I'D warm glow through tbs doorway