The Red Cloud chief., 1908-03-13
does 1t feel to be a winner7-

"Everything-cxccpt the gold minc.''
"~Eycrythlng except see. You
mean that shc-that you have asked
her. and she won't?" lie never knew
the cost at which she held her voice so
steady.
more than that. It's so new that II
hurts yet, and II will continue to hurt
for Il 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 Il time I've wandered I'm strange
paths. seeking new gods. ms Il were.
but the dazzle has died ont OF my eyes
and ! can scc true again. She isn't
for me, although | shall always love
her. I'm sorry I can't forget easily. rs
some do. It's hard 10 look ahead and
take an interest in things. But what
about you: Where shall you go?'
II don't know. II doesn't really
mnttcr-now." The dusk hid her white.
set face, and she spoke ~monotonously.
II am going to see the Bronco Kid. He
sent for me. He's ill.,"
Hes not n bad Sort said Roy.
WV Nblfl'N' Nv l1llht ~ ICN
start too"
~"Pcrhaps," said she, gazing far out
over the gloomy ocean. at all de-
ponds" After II moment she added.
What Il pity that we can't all sponge
of the slate and begin afrcSh and
forget"
ITS part of the game" said he. Il
,lAu't lnnKN N.1,Ns IT, 80 lane it - I'lI
see YOU sometimes, won't II" @
"No, boy: | think not"
II believe | understand he mur-
INJURED, ''and 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 rs he
melted into the shadows. and only the
moonlight heard her pitiful sob and
her hopeless whisper:
'GoUIby. my boy. my boy"
II" 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
"f his fellows. A welcome lay waiting
for him in every public place, but no
one there could know the mockrry of
1t. no II could gauge the desolatiOn
that was his.
The sand, wet. packed and hard as II
pavement. gave no sound to his care
less steps, and thus il was that he
came silently upon the one woman as
she stood beside the silver surf. Had
he q q her first he would have skunk
past in the landward shadows, but,
recognizing his tall form. she called
and he came. while il seemed that his
lungs grew suddenly CONSTRUCTED, as
though bound about with steel hoops.
The very pleasure of her sight panied
him. lie advanced eagerly. and yet
with hesitation, standing stitily aloof
while his heart tiuttcred and his tongue
grew dumb. At last she saw his
haudagcs and her manner changed
abruptly. Coming closer she touched
them with carcssing fingers.
IT'S nothing nothing ut ALL" he said
while his voice jumped out of all CON
troll. When are you going away
II do not know not for some time"
II" had supposed she would 20 to-
morrow with her uncle and-thc other,
tO be with them through their travail.
With warm i~mpctuoSity She began:
1T was a noble thing You lid to
day. oh, | am glad and proud"
II prefer You 10 think of me in that
way, rather than as the wild beast YOU
saw this morning. for | was mad, per.
Tectly mad with hatred ana revenge
and every wild impulse that comes To
a defeated man. You see, | had played
and lost, played ami lost, again and
again. ill there was nothing left. /,
What mischalicr brought you there
1t was II terribly brutal thing, but
you can't understand
'Fut can understand. io.
know all about II nov. know the
wild rage of desperation; | know the
"Nlltatiou IF victory; | know what
hate and fear are nov. You told me
once that the Wilderness had made Won
IA savage, and | lAtglch at II lust as
| did when YOU said THAI my contact
with big things would teach me the
truth. that we're All alike. and that
those motives are in Ms all. I see now
that YOU were right aud was very
simple, | learned II great deal last
night"
Il have learned much also" said he.
Il wish yon might teach me more"
II dou't think | could teach YOU
any more" she hesilated.
lie moved as though to speak. but
held back and tore his eyes away from
her,
Well she inquired, gazing AT him