West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-03-04

He poured a ltttie tDdter do,Cn hts throat.
ride. He tugged at the butt OF his re-
volver to make certain that Il could be
| pulled quickly from the holster. TAX
Ing or his hat, he knelt to drink. He
smiled and confidently tapped his can
teen when he found the spring dry.
He was raising his canteen to his lips
when he spied Dicks body.
| Jumping behind u rock, he pulled his
revolver, covering the insensible man.
1t might be trap. He scanned the
trail, the Cliff, the canyon. Hearing
and seeing nothing. he slipped his re.
volver into his holster and hurried 10
Dicks side. At Hrst he did not recog.
nize him. The desert and thirst had
wrought many changes I'm his friends
| face.
When recognition came he threw his
arms about tho PROSTATE form, crying,
'Dick, at last. at lastv
His voice was broken with emotion.
The search had been 80 long, 30 weary
and the ending so sudden! He had
found Dick, but IL looked as II he came
| too late.
Gathering Dick up I'm his arms, he
raised him until his head rested on
his knees. Forcing open his mouth, he
poured little water down his throat.
Then with moistened handkerchief
he wetted temples and wrists. Slowly
Dick struggled back to life.
"Water-water-ifs waterr he gasp
ed, struggling for more OF the precious
| nuid
easy" cautioned Jack. "only q
little now-more when you're strong
| err"
who Is itr cried Dick. Not wait
ing for Jack to enlighten him, he con-
tlnued: mo matter-you came In time
I couldn't have held out any longer.
All the springs are dry. figured on
reaching Clearwater"
Jack helped Dick to his feet. TAX.
ing his stricken friends right arm, he
drew II across his shoulders. With his
left arm about his waist, Jack led him
to n seat upon a convenient rock.
II came by Clearwater yesterday"
explained Jack. 'It is nothing but
mud and alknll"
my orse'dropped three days ago.
had to shoot the pack mule. ~
Dick opened his eyes under the minis
trations OF Jack. Gazing upward into
his face, he shouted Joyfully:
"Why, It's Jack-Jack PaysonP
"Didn't you know me, Dickf" asked
Jack sympathetIcally.
mot at first My eyes went to the
bad out yonder in the glare"
The effort had been too much for
Dick. He sank weakly over jacks
knees. Jack turned him partly on his
back and let more water trickle down
his throat Dick clutched madly at
the canteen. but Jack drew IL back
out OF his reach. With his handker-
chief he moistened lips and neck.
When Dicks strength returned Jack
helped him 10 eft up.
1--WE been hunting for you for
months" he told him.
Hunting for meT echoed Dick.
"Yes," answered Jack. IL traced you
through the Lost Cities. then to Cooney.
then up IN the Tularosas. At Fort
Grant they put me on the right trail"
As the clouds break, revealing the
blue Of the heavens, so Dicks memory
came back to him. He shrank from
the man at his side.
@wenY' he asked as be stared at his
betrayer.
Jack gazed fxedIy ahead. He dared
not look into the face OF him he had
wronged 30 bitterly.
"she wants you" he said in voice
void Of all emotion.
"Who wants meT' asked Dick after a
pause.
echo"
'Your wifeT gritted Dick. He I'm.
gered bis gun az he spoke.
Huskiiy Jack replied. yes"
Bitter thoughts filed the mind OF
one; the other bad schooled himself 20
make atonement For the wrong he
had done Jack was ready TO ofseg bis
life. He had endured the full measure
OF his su1erings. The hour OF HIS de-
livery was at hand. Hard az it was to
die In the mid-giory OF manhood, it
was easier to end II all here and now
than to live unloved by Echo. hated BY
Dick, despised by himself.
"sbe sent me 20 find you. Bring him
back 20 me- That's what she said %
Jack cried IN HIS agony.
your wife-she said tbatY7 faltered
Dick.
Flercely IN bis torture JACK answer
ed: Yes, my wife-my wife SAID Il.
! Bring him back to me-"