The Mena weekly star., 1909-08-19

"o"an, "rlnglng from her the cry 'l would give my life to see him standing here among you tonight. ,, Rec. olleetion of years of dog-like devotion repaid with coldness, at times, amounting to contempt Recollection of face coars, ana unprepossessing, but at times light. eo oy love 80 great as to render it A. most beautiful. Like ghost that could not be laid, that face rose before her as she had so often seen it shadowed by pain rom her unkindness. From the smoke rising above the mine she saw his eyes looking at her as they had so often. when she had shrunk from his caress with a bathing she could not conceal.
 Out from the shadow stepped man. In low determined tone he said CT Will make the attempt, not for money, because knew and liked him.
 At sound of his voice Elba started. A ealf smothered cry trembled on her lips, as she turned and saw tall form out. lined by the glare of the freight.
 Mir. Lawrencesn
 ''lt is l, Mrs. Sanders. I will make the attempt to rescue the body of your hus- band. Only the body. No human being could have lived in that place until this time. l will do my best.
 "No, no. They say it is certain death" She started forward as if to deter him from the attempt.
 A dark scowl gathered on the faces of the men. They turned and walked away. The one who had spoken so feelingly of the miner muttered, "I'd risked my life any day ter save the boss, fur he wuz kind an good, but he's dead know, an Fl be blarsted if I n resk it ter please the likes ny them. My life's sweet ter me, ez hisen is ter him, eff I don t wear shiny boots, an a plug hat. Durn these white handel folks that think money is every thing"
 How he wronged the suffering woman. Even then she was thinking how utterly worthless it all was, notwithstanding she had bartered her self respect, her happi- ness and, she felt just then, her soul, for it.
 1 Hush,'' said one more kindly dis posed. "She's suffrin She didn ' know what she was sayin'."
 'Pshawl With a gesture of con tempt. "She knowed enough not ter want him ter resk his fine life, an I Il be hanged eff I will mine. In my place, the Boss 'ud said the same thing As the night advanced it was decided that nothing more could be done at that time. The widow repaired to the rude hotel to rest until morning.
 | The sun shone on desolate scene when she came out to return home She knew she could do nothing. She was widow, Blossom fatherless. The day when she could have dose something for him was past. She could only go back home and Wait for them to bring his poor mangled body, when found.
 MT. Lawrence was waiting with . conveyance to take her home.
 "No thank you. The distance is short I prefer to walk. I'm not afraid. Good bye MT. Lawrence. I shall never forget your kind offer of last night. ' Sh' held out a slim ungloved hand, whicf tremblsd as it rested in his.
 "Shsll I hope to see you soon in onl own countrys' His fingers frightened about hers. 'fYou will, of course re turn to the East.
 He tried hard to prevent the eager in terest he felt creeping into tone and man ner. He did net intend to lose sight of this woman whom he loved. He was on | ly man, and mortal, with the weak ness natural to the race. He did mol deny to himself, that he intended, when her year of widowhood had expired, to ge to her with his love and ask her to be his wife. But he did not want to insult her and frustrate his own plans by thrusting any suspicion of his intentions upon her now.
 CT hardly know" she said wearily, slowly shaking her head, "I think l will remain here, for time any way. He | loved our little mountain home, and A sob broke her voice. She dropped her veil over her face and turned away.
 nUntil the business is settled, it will be necessary for me to know your ad- | dress. Will--'
 "My lawyer will be apprised of any ,hange I make. Good bye, Mir. Law rsnce'' She walked rapidly away.
 He stood and watched her disappear, net daring to obey the dictates of his heart, and follow. He felt the reouke' but it only made him love her the more When she had passed entirely beyond ms .ipbt. he turned away with sigh, and sa;d aloud. Now for home and hard work to kill time. For one year, at least, tue pictured face must suffice"