The Wrangell sentinel., 1909-12-02
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 F F JUL L IL |
John W. Harding
Copyright. 1908. by G. ". Dillins-
 ham Co.

Of the hand was as good as bond. and there wasn't any law in the land except that between man and woman. Some of them out there yearned as much for the sanctity of the marriage vows as an Arab in the Sahara does for a sun bath. It was loose coun. try. full of loose people. My mother fell in love with a rowing miner, and he promised to marry her. but before the parson wandered into the camp 10 make a little loose change tying mat rimonial knots pa got into an argu- ment concerning alcoholic capacity and got plugged with 4o."
 "Killed?'
 'Yes. He passed on. Later I was showed into the midst of an unsuspect- ing public. My coming into the world without the usual legal credentials bit my poor mother awful hard. and be- fore could open my eyes she died. Then there was an awful argument about where belonged"
 How"
 TWO cities claimed me. Denver said was born in Omaha, and Omaha blamed it on Denver. Those that look ed after me when I was a kid got a little careless about my education. and finally the city of Denver adopted me as a fayorite son. Fathers only known name was Jim. grabbed 1t. I had to have a last one on the handle. so chose Smith. feeling to!erably certain 1t would pass the scrutiny of an in- quisitive world without raising a storm of curiosity"
 He paused. then concluded. with wan smile:
 You see. Emma. am some shy"
 I'm awfully sorry. Jimsy. but it doesn't make lot of difference. does it." she said consolingly.
 "No, only that's why came east. The west ain't conducive to pleasant recollections."
 Its nothing you could help"
 "No l figure you can't always blame people fer what they can't help If fellow comes into the world shy. he's shy. and the chances are he's doing the best he can t1e very time he goes to tue bad"
 How? In what vay?"
 You seem puzzled" he said moving his chair so that it brought him squarely facing her. Well for in stanre. out in Denver knew fellow who married girl who'd had pretty much what she wanted. but he'd been in hard luck. It was l0ye match all right, both parties being clean foolish over each other. Well. he didn't get on, and she had to work pretty-hard Finally he thought her health aud spirits were about busted up on a. count of the work. and he commenced appropriating other folks money-got way in. and the harder he tried to get out the deeper he foundered Finally the big exposure came off. He was thief Now. what do you think about him, Emma? Do you think because he was long on love and short on honor he was all bad, eh:''
 She hesitated. pondering the ques ton as something So utterly beyond ordinary cogitation that it could not have presented itself to her and was not to be lightly decided
 "I don't know what to think" she unused. I've always loathed d thief and a liar. know there's an awfu, lot of diShonesty-i business. Father always declared that man 10 drink or gamble or dissipate might be weak, but that man who stole CT lied to injure people was vicious. Somehow think that too"
 Maybe you're right. but wondered if you'd been in his wife's place you'd sort of forgiven the man and helped him get right
 "Perhaps-I don't know," she replied doubtfulIy. "But think if anything like that ever happened il would aI- most kill me"
 Her thoughts were diverted from the subject by the ringing of the telephone bell. She answered it.
 "Capfain Williams calling" sle said to Smith, then through the phone:
 Ask the gentleman to come up. please"
 Jimsy, anxious and much troubled. regarded her thoughtfuily. She turned from the telephone and advanced to him. holding out her hand. He took 1t hesitatingly and wonder ingly.
 'Jimsy." she said earnestly. I've never quite understood you before.'
 "No?" he interrogated.
 But after what you told me to-