The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-01-23
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MS VOICE luiI OF menace.
''Can't you see me?' sneered Buck.
Sagebrush relieved him of his gun
as he passed. handing ii to Fresno
Buck paused in the doorway long
enough TO lament: Talk about hospi-
tality. | never get in but what | am
put out"
Slim watched Mckee from the win
dow until he disappeared through the
gate of the corral Then. walking
down to Jack, he took him by the
hand
It'll be all right in an hour. Thank
you. boys" Payson assured them.
I've all know you are the whitest
man on the Sweetwater.' assured
Sagebrush, speaking for the punchers
as they left Jack prisoner with Slim.
Speaking in low tone. Jir. asked
Jack. Where did you get that mon
eyr
Don't you known he asked in sur
prise.
From
Jack nodded his head
"I1l wait fer you in the other ROOM"
said Slim.
"Maw. Polly-we all better leave 'em
alone"
AS the woman and the girl left the
room the old ranchman paused at the
doorway leading to the kitchen to ad-
wise his son-in-law earnestly: 81 low
you better tell her. It's best"
The two young people were left
alone in the room in which they had
passed so many happy hours to face
crisis in their lives. The day which
had begun so sunnily was to end in
darkest clouds The awful accusation
was incredible to Echo Her faith in
her husband was not shaken. Jack.
she felt could explain. But, no matter
what the outcome might be. she would
be loyal to the man she loved On this
point she felt wholly confident. Had
she not pledged her faith at the mar
rage altar?
"Jackw A volume of questions was
In the word. Taking her hands in his
and looking searchingly into her eyes.
he said:
Before tell you what's been on my
mind these many weeks l want to hold
you in my arms and hear you say,
Jack. | believe in you
Echo put her arms about his neck
and, nesting close to his breast. de
clared: Il do believe in you, no mat
ter what circumstances may be against
you. No matter if all the world calls
you guilty. l believe in you and love
you"
Jack seated himself at the table and
drew his wife down beside him. Put
ting his arms about her as she knelt
before him. he murmured, You're a
wife, wife of TIE west. as fair as its
skies and as steadfast as its hills, and
I'm not worthy
Not worthy-you havent-it isn't
gasped Echo. starting back from him,
thinking that Jack was about to con-
fess that under some strange stress of
circumstances he had slain the express
agent
"No. it isn't that" hastily answered
Jack, with a shudder at the idea.
"I've lied to you" he simply con-
fessed
Lied to me-you?" cried Echo in
dismay.
"I've been a living lie for months"
relentlessly continued Jack, nerving
himself for the ordeal through which
he would have to pass.
Jack" walled Echo, shrinking from
him on her knees. covering her face
with her hands.
Its about Dick"
Echo started. Again Dick Lane had
arisen as from out the grave.
what of him?" she asked. rising to
her feet and moving away from him.
HE is aliver'
Jack did not dare look at his wife.
He sat with his face white and pinch
ed with anguish.
The young wife groaned in her ago
ny. The blow had fallen Dick alive.
and she now the wife of another man!
What of her promise? What must he
think of her?
81 didn't know 1t until after we were
engaged" pursued Jack, six months.
It was the day l questioned you about
whether you would keep your promise
to Dick if he returned. l wanted to
tell you then. but the telling meant
that l should lose you. He wrote to
me from Mexico. where he had been
In the hospital. He was coming home.
He inclOsed this letter to you
Jack drew from his pocket the letter
which Dick had inclosed in the one
which he had sent Jack telling him Of
his proposed return.
She took the missive mechanically
and opened it slowly.
Il wanted to be square with him,
but l loved you" pleaded Jack. Il
loved you better than life, better than
honor. l couldn't lose you. and So
His words fell on unheeding ears.
She was not listening to his pleadings
Her thoughts dwelt ON Dick Lane and
what he must think of her. She had
taken refuge at the piano, on which