The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1912-06-14

| suo01u NC WlpeO rlgnL OH tQlS mere
earth. where I've acted like a fool
would anybody have a careY Jim's
voice was bitter with self contempt.
"Oh. Jtm-Jim"- Quavered Kitty's
voice weakly. You know I'd care
don't be coward"
Il wasn't going to do anything des-
perate-except get a job and 60 TO
work. like ! should have done a year
ago. can get a job tomorrow morn
ing driving truck for Sullivan. and
It's 80 week. OF course that isn't "a
much as was earning when-when-
l put that ring on your finger" His
voice ended In strange shivering
note. as If he was going to break
down and cry.
y Her thin hand sought his and found
1t. You've got good STUFF in you. Jim.
If you could only let drink alone" she
said wistfully.
I'm going to have a big hard try at
1t. Kitty" he said solemniy. I'm not
going to get up and swear oil sorts OF
promises and break half Of 'em-but
I'm going to try-ty-try hard to
break or and maybe he hesitated
and turned his head aside.
Maybe what?" she whispered.
maybe you might sort Of pray q
little now and then-you know that
helps along some and I'll try iot.''
| Kitty uttered the ghost of her old
merry laugh. "All right. Jimsy boy
you do the trying and slip prayer in
now and then yOurself-'twon't do any
hurt! Ill pray night and day for your
successful trying"
| If ! don't come out all right-it will
be because l am dead" averred Jim
firmly. Il wonder IL got the right
to ask you question. Kitty" he ask
ed humbly.
Most anybody can ask question"
she evaded
but this one you might think was
none OF my business. and yet 1t is
too"
II guess you won't ask anything l
don't want to answer" said Kitty.
with a return Of her old assurance.
II was wondering" said Jim slowly.
"why you was wearing that ring on
your right hand. ! saw it and recog-
nized you when you took the loaf OF
bread. II you wanted to shake me al
together and thought was no good
you could have shook the ring alto
gether instead OF changing 1t to the
other hand"
There was little silence before
Kitty answered.: 1T wasn't for any
reason you thought. Jim: it was only
because my finger got so thin 1t
wouldn't stay on. You know | never
sent you away. but you did brighten
me some when you was-was"- Poor
Kitty sought for milder word to
frame the unpleasant truth
when was just plain drunk" an
ished Jim bitterly. Don't try to
soften It. Kitty, dear. It'll do me good
to hear It. Now, I'm going to leave you
here. and IN get some money from
sullivan tomorrow night. and I'll bring
you the pay at the end Of the week.
Maybe some day-oh. there isn't any
use In my looking ahead-l got to
prove myself first" he ended.
"You mean some day. when you've
got back on your feet again and have
got q little money laid by and have
proved that you can stay straight
you mean that maybe our banns will
be published in St. Joseph'sy Kitty's
voice was wonderfully tender as she
asked the question. and Jim's face was
radiant with happiness as he replied:
God bless you. Kitty. Yes"-he
I've restored your faith
In me you can tell me and Ill go to
Father Cahill and have him put up
the banns. tin be the happiest day Of
my life"
At z o'clock the next morning Jim
Collins climbed up to his seat on a
high red truck and slapped the reins
over the backs Of a pair of heavy
graya He ha d spent the remainder
d. the night int a doorway. He was
cold 'And hungry. but there was some.
thin. new stirred within him-some.
[niIlg greater tn IN the love with which
ne had won pr, city Kitty Lee: it was
greater love for her and he forgot
Everything save her pale and tired
"a ce.
Amt / the mean. dog to let her 20
C. the bread Hne?' he asked himself
ccusingly as he tarted forth after
his first load
1t was long and a hard day. Big
hearted Sullivan had respected Jim's
desire to do better and had Insisted
on the young mans eating a hearty
meal at noon, and at night he paid
him for the days work. "l'll pay you
every night till you get started" he
and Jim was grateful.
HIS greatest joy came when he car
led the dollar and fifty cents to
Kitty that evening. "Jim." she said,
placing her hand on his arm, but not
ooking into Ids face: "Jim. you can't
cuess what I've done today-I hope
1ou won't be ,mad at me-"
You haven't got a job-you amt
1t to work. Kitty, anti 1 forbid it." he
aid rapidly.
"No--only, i went IT, Father Cahill
oday and told him ITO put up our
aims next Sunday said Kitty |
luietly, though he coul.l see that she