The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-05-28

boiler without disturbin' the pensive-
ness Of some dude in dress suit. Bet
ter come along, Roy; we can sell cut
the Midas"
I'll think it over.' said the young
man.
The night was bright with full
moon when they left the doctors office.
Roy, in no mood for the exuberance OF
his companions, parted from them, but
had not gone far before he met Cherry
Malotte His head was low, and he
did not see her till she spoke.
well, boy. so it's over at last"
Her words chimed SO perfectly with
his thoughts that he replied. eyes: it's
all over, little girl"
"You don't mind my congratulations
you know me too well for that. Hor
does II feel to be winner!"
IL don't know. I've lost"
Lost what"
"Eyerything-except the gold
Everything except %
mean that she-that you d
her. and she won't" r W
the cost at which she hel, e 80
steady.
More than that. It's so new that 1t
hurts yet, and it will continue to hurt
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 in strange
paths, seeking new gods, as 1t were,
but the dazzle has died out Of my eyes
and | can see true again. She isn't
for me. although l 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?'
81 don't know. 1t doesn't really
matter-now." The dusk hid her white,
set face, and she spoke monotonously
81 am going to see the Bronco Kid. He
sent for me. He's i'll"
Hes not a bad sort" said Roy.
"And suppose he'll make a new
start too"
Perhaps" said she, gazing far out
over the gloomy ocean. 1T all de-
pends." After a moment she added.
What a pity that we can't all sponge
off the slate and begin afresh and
forget
Its part Of the game" said he. 81
don't know why it's SO, but it Is. I'll
see you sometimes, won't /"
mo, boy; think not"
81 believe l 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, brave lit
tie Cherry"
She stood straight and still as he
melted into the shadows, and only the
moonlight heard her pitiful sob and
her hopeless whisper:
"Goodby. my boy, my boy"
He wandered down beside the sea,
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 no
one there could know the mockery OF
1t, no one could gauge the desolation
that was his.
The sand, wet, packed and hard as
pavement, gave 10 sound to his care
less steps, and thus 1t was that be
came silently upon the one woman as
she stood beside the silver surf. Had
he seen her first he would have skunk
past in the landward shadows. but,
recognizing his tall form. she calico
and he came, while it seemed that his
lungs grew suddenly CONSTRUCTED. as
though bound about with steel hoops.
The very pleasure Of her sight painec
him. He advanced eagerly. and Jet
with hesitation. standing stindy aloof
while his heart Huttsred and his tongue
grew dumb. At last she saw bis
bandases and her manner changer
abruptly Coming closer she touched
them with caressing fingers.
ITS nothing-nothing at ALL be said
while bis voice jumped out Of all coa-
troll. When are you-going away"
81 do not know-not for some dme."
He had supposed she would go to-
morrow with her uncle and-the other.
to be with them through their travail.
With warm impetuosity she began:
"It was a noble thing you did to-
day. Oh, l am glad and proud"
Il prefer you to think Of me In that
way, rather than as the Wild beast you
saw this morning, for was mad, per-
fectly mad with hatred and revenge,
and every wild impulse that comes to
defeated man. You see, had played
and lost. played and lost. again and