The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-06-11
renee had gone, then took up its burden
Of woe and beat on.

- Wouldn z stay 10r prehA1 ash lug
miner declared. Wanted to catch tbs
early train. Sick Of this life, I guess and |
keen to get back home. Some woman at
the bottom Of all this sudden hurry. I'll
bet. Well he's devilish fine fellow and
she II do well to get him, no difference
who she il. Paid the spot cash for his
interest in the business. Hope his invest
ment will pan out we'll and III not be
sorry he came out here. Wouldn 7 let me /
send him over in the trap. Said he'd
rather walk. He's the kind Of fellow
you cuchtsr have married. When die
and leave you rich widow you can 60
for him providin the woman he's got ON
the string now hasn't roped him in.
You d mako spanking team and don
you forget it.
with loud laugh he left the room,
never noticing the white face looking out
Of the window.
/ The winter rains wore over. The soft
spring breezes, and bright sunshine were
robbing the mining district Of its des-
plate appearance. Flowers were springing
along the mountain edge. Birds were
singing their songs Of mating. Life, at
the home Of the miner had settled back
into the same old groove, except that he
went earlier to work and returned later.
His conversation Of stocks and divi-
dends, wages and blasts, his wife listened
to with 4 patience remarkable when We
consider how tired she was Of it all. He
saw that she was. unhappy, but never
guessed the real truth. Thought IL only
the old wound ranking. Thought her
pining for congenial society and again in
sisted that she 60 back east for time
anyway.
This was harder than ever for the man
to do for never had his wife been 80 gem
tie, 50 considerate Of his feelings, so al
most affectionate, as during the months
lust past. He little knew that her chang
ed demeanor was penance for the great
wrong done him. He, big hearted lover,
thinking her lonely, urged her to return
home. She persistently refused. Some
times she longed to 60. In all probability
she would meet Brent Lawrence, but she
avoided temptation and stayed close be-
. side duty.
8 Late one afternoon accompanied BY
/ Blossom, Jocko and Brave, she walked
out toward the mines to meet the faith
er and husband. When some distance
from the house they saw approaching rap
idly one Of the laborers from the mines
He was stranger to Elba, but she knew
q he was one Of the fraternity.
v ssBe that George Sanders housed
q He came nearer and halted. His breatl
It was coming quick. from excitement, an
rapid walking.
It ssIt is, the woman replied. The ma
q started forward again
:. sswhat is your errand, pleasef MI
l. Sanders is not there. He is at tn
% mines. y
/ eyes, / know. Ny business is with hi
wife,
d stI am his wife, Is there any thin
wrongf. Riffs Of white crossed her face
e aNol Yer be mt his wife fur Co
sakef,' The words broke from the man
lips unconsciously.
a. az am Mrs. Sanders There was
sudden uplifting Of the head, retur
g Of the Cnrlyle ring in the woman
voice.
"well, fur God g sake, Ia never guess
le ed it. Fur"
"Have you message for metz
IL ssI have, marm.'' He took off his ca
and stood with barred head looking frol
q the woman to the child. Blossom had lei
her playmates, and stood close besid
her mother, her great wide eyes, like pal
sies. raised to the man g face, as thong
n sbe realized that something unusual ha
m happened.
Id Even Brave and Jocko were quiet, an
1t stood as though listening. The latte
r. winking one eye at the man, seemed
saw. uYou haven't much the advantae
/ Of me in appearance, if you can talk. "
~ was to say to his wife, that sha
er gave way this afternoon, and-the hos
ay was-was.-"
# "He was killed. y It was an assertio
I'd not question, that broke from the W
ms cold lips. She knew as well as
". the man, and not she, had spoken Il
ife words.
M - ~ Acs it, was the reply. The me
,as drew his rough sleeve across his eyes. " T
wn was kind boss, and the boys is terrib
ina cut up over it. They told me ter bre,
he it ter you as easy Ny God, lady, are y
Of goin ter fainti" The man was frighten'