The Green Forest tribune., 1909-09-24

The Fullerton Salvage Case
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Copyright by J. B. Lippineott Co)
By George Carling

1 side was the unconscious Fullerton, | pinned down by heavy joist, one leg doubled up beneath him and two ribs broken
 On the fourth day afterward, when Denham made his usual visit to Full | lertons bedside, he saw instantly tL at something had gone wrong. Thee was raging pulse and a flushed face.
 Feeling worse, Bob?" he asked anx- iously
 Pull up chair, Dick. I've some thing to tell you," said Fullerton ex- citedly. Then he seemed to be at a loss just how to begin. Finally he said. with moan:
 'I left a girl over -there"-rolling his eyes toward the east. She's beeh waiting for me all this time. That alone ought to have kept me straight. We were to have married before this at least, that is what I thought. I came out here to make my pile, and | I've"
 See here, old man," interrupted Denham, you don't want to worry about those things now. You're get ting along all right, you know"
 I've got to worry about it, Dick! There's more to it. I want you to help me-and this thing won't wait. I-I did pretty we'll the first year, and then-well, the climates hard, you know, Dick, and I went to pieces. l | of rot R11tT I wrote her that l was making money. Sometimes told her that I was too busy to write lengthy particulars. And all the time l was going down hill I kept on telling her fairy stories
 And now-look at this!" and pull ing letter from his bosom, he flung it towards Denham with an intensity of despair and bitterness.
 The superintendent opened it and l glanced over the first paragraphs. He saw nothing in them to so excite his friend The gist of it came later: I see your mother often, Bob dear, and f we talk together like the two lonely women that we are, telling each other ! again and again the story of your sue ! cesses, and trying to find between the i lines of your letters when you may re- 1 turn.
 1 But the tears will come, Bob, at the uncertainty of it alias we think of you in that distant country which is grim l with roughness and dangers; as i think that perhaps you are as dreary 1 and lonely as ourselves. We laugh 1 through our tears, and try to cheer each l other. But as the dreary weeks drag by | without a letter. the dread thought stalks in that you may be ill and suffering. I cannot bear it, Robbie boy I want i to be with you-to help you in your fight | for success. It may be a long, long time i before you get the opportunity to come for me I know that good men are scarce out there and of course that will make i it harder for you to leave. So I have determined to come to you; and we will | be married and rough it together. am afraid, Bob,-and I want to have little hand in the building up myself.
 Mrs. Seabrisht and Bessie are starting for Seattle on Wednesday, and I shall pack my trunk and start with them. So you ought to see me within two or three ] days after receiving this.
 Denham whistled softly as he folded the letter. Then he said: "Well?"
 Don't you see, Dick? She's com i ing on hereto marry me! Coming here, believing in me--believing iH my lies-believing in my prosperity. And she'll find me wreck-a miserable wreck, She must be stopped, Dick. I cannot see her You will meet her for me. won't you, Dick?-and tell her just what kind of a man I am--how I have deceived her. You will do this for me, Dick?"
 Denham chewed his mustache her. vously, dropped his head on his hands and thought intently for many minutes Then he said: "All right, it shall be as you say" and he went out with grievous trouble in his eyes.
 And Fullerton tossed about in such anguish of mind as haply comes to but few lives. In utter weariness came fitful snatches of sleep, bringing visions of the girl-ofttimes loving, never reproachful. Once he saw her figure glide to his bedside, and he looked up into her beautiful eyes, moist with tears, and full of love and tenderness. He heard her voice, low and trembling:
 
 opened his eyes wonderfully. "Bob!"- said the voice again; and the figure dropped on it's knees by his bedside and clasped his hand with convulsive tenderness. My darling, it is r. Hilda! I have come, Bob, and I shall never leave you, dear! No, don't speak-you cannot send me away-I know everything! MT. Denham has told me, Bob, but knew some of it before. I had heard stories. That's why l came-came to help you, you poor boy. We will start all over again, together, Bob; new life, where you will work, Bob, and I will watch, and pray-and love-"
 That Tired Feeling.