Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1911-05-18

tohhDit1iB hiicy ndQ como at lonR Ia &c
the old moss grown foot-log which had
been newly felled tree in the former
time. Tom went first across the rustic
bridge. holding the hand of ecstatic
thrillings. and pausing in mid passage
that he might have excuse for holding
1t the longer.
1t was during the mid-passage pause,
and while she was looking down on the
swirling waters sometime of terrifying,
that Miss Dabney said:
How deep Is 1t. Tom? Would 1 real
ly have drowned If you and Hector had
not pulled me out?"
Its thankless thing to spoil IN
idyl, but you could have waded out"
She made the adorable little grimace
which was one of the survivals of the
yesterdays, and suffered him to lead
her across.
And l have always believed that 1
owed my life to you-and Hectorl" she
said. reproachfully.
You owe me much more than that"
he affirmed broadly, when they had sat
down to rest-they had often to do this,
lest the way should prove shorter than
the happy afternoon-on the end of the
bridge log.
Money ?"-flippantly
mo; love. II 1t hadn't been for ME,
you might never have known what love
is"
1T Is high gift" she said, soberly;
the highest OF all for woman Once
l thought I should live and die with
out knowing 1t, as many women do. I
wish l might give you something as
great"
1 am already overpaid," he asserted.
For man there Is nothing so great,
no influence so nearly omnipotent, as
the love OF good woman. 1t Is the
lever that moves the world-what little
1t does move-up the hill to the high
planes"
Silence while she gathered the sweet
smelling tangle in her lap into some
more portable arrangement And at
terward, when they were drifting slow.
ows. small asking.
Mr.. Morelook is coming out to-m NOR
row to hold service in st. Johns, and
shall go to play for him. VIII you so
with me. Tom?"
He smiled out Of the gold and sap
phire depths of a lovers reverie
One week from the day after the day
after -morrow-and 1t will be the
longest week-and- two days of my life,
dearest-your grandfather will take
you to church, and 1 shall bring you
away. Won't that be enough?"
She took him quite seriously
Il shall never be a Felicia Young
Dickson, and drag you," she promised
But, o Toni 1 wish"
Il know" he said. gently. you are
Of the days to come; when the
paths may diverge--yours and mine
ever so little; when there may be chill
dren to choose between their mothers
faith and their fathers Indifference.
But l am not Indifferent. So far from
1t, l am only anxious now to prove
what was once so bent on disprov-
Ing"
You yourself are the strongest
proof" she interposed. You will see
1t, some day."
Shall 1? 1 hope so; and that is an
earnest hope. And really and truly, 1
think have come up bit-out of the
you know. 1 am willing TO
admit that this is the best of all pos
sible worlds; and I want to do my part
have lived In 1t. Also, I'd like to be-
Iieve in something bigger and better
than protoplasm."
Her smile was of the kind which
stands halfway in the path to tears,
but she spoke bravely to the doubt in
mis- reply.
You do believe, Tom, dear; you have
never seen the moment when you did
not. 1t was the doubt that was unreal.
When the supreme test came, 1t was
Gods hand that restrained you: yon
know 1t now-you knew it at the time.
And afterward 1t was His grace that
enabled you to do what was just and
light. Haven't you admitted all thus
10 yourself?"
They had crossed the white pike TO |
he manor-house gates and were turn |
ng aside from the driveway into the |
lawn path when he said:
To myself, and to one other" Then.
very softly: Il sat at my mothers knee |
asst night, Ardea. and told her all Their.
was to tell"
Ardea's eyes wero shining. What |
lid she say. Tom, dear-or Is 1t more |
han I should ask?"
There is nothing you may not ask. |
She said-it wasn't altogether true. I'm |
she put her arms around |
NY neck and cried and said: For this
ny son was dead. and Is alive arain: |
lie was lost, and Is found"
She slipped her arm in his, and there
vas little sob Of pure JOY at tho
'atching Of her breath. The moon was
ust rising above the Lebanon cliff |
Inc, and the beauty OF the glorious
light dawn possessed her utterly. All.
I was a good world and a generous.
ringing rich gifts to the steadfast.
nstinctively she felt that Toms little
Confession did not require an answe.:
hat he was battling his way to the