Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1913-01-23

with closed eyes. over the whittier face
resting on her lap. her lips trembling
with the one prayer. "Oh. God! oh. ,
Cod" How long he was at it. or
what he did, she scarcely knew-she
heard the splash of water caught the ;
fash of the sun on the probe; felt the
half conscious shudder OF the wound
ed man. whose mead was in her lap.
the deft quick movements Of Fair
balm. and then
That's tive got it-missed the
lung by hair-damn me I'm proud OF
that job-you're a good girl"
She looked at him. scarce able TO
see. her eyes blinded with tears.
'Will-will he live? Oh, tell mel"
'Live Why shouldn't he?-nothing
but hole to close up-natureIl do
that. with a bit of nursing-here. now
don't you keel over-give me the rest
of that skirt"
He bandaged the wound. then
glanced about suddenly.
"How's the other fellow"
Dead" returned Bristoe. shot
through the heart"
Thought so-have seen Keith shoot
before wonder how the cuss ever
managed to get him"
AS he arose to hls feet, his red face
gistening with perspiration, and be-
gan strapping his leather case. the
others rode up, and Bristoe. explaining
the situation. set the men to making
preparations for pushing on to the
water-hole. Blankets were swung be-
tween ponies, and the bodies of the
dead and wounded deposited therein,
firm hands on the brides. Hope rode
close be1ide Keith, struggling to keep
back the tears. as she watched him
lying motionless. unconscious. scarce
ly breathing. So. under the early glow
of the desert stars, they came to the
water-hole. and balted.
The wounded man opened his eyes,
and looked about him unable to com
prehend At first all was dark, silent;
then he saw the stars overhead. and a
breath of air famed the nearby fire.
the rudy glow of flame flashing
across his face. He heard voices
family. and thus. little by little. con.
seriousness asserted itself and memory
struggled back into his bewilderec
brain The desert-the lonely leagues
of sand-his fingers gripped as If they
felt the stock OF gun-yet that was
all over-he was not there-but be
.. was somewhere-and alive, alive.
hurt him to move, to breathe even
;. and afterQne effort TO turn over, NJ
lay perfectly still, staring up into thu
!, black arch of SKY. endeavoring t
u O
How had he come there? Was Haw
II lev alive also? face bent over him
y the features family visible in the tiasl
j. of freight. His dull eyes lit up II
sudden recollection.
~ Doc. is that you?"
y Sure old man." the pudgy finger
feeling his pulse. the gray eyes twinf
IL ling. Narrow squeak you had-gT
ing to pull through all right. though
no sign If fever"
ie Where am l?'
AT the water-hcle: sling you In
nt blanket. and get you into Larned Il
~ morrow"
III There was a moments silenc
"a Keith finding it hard to speak
u "Hawley-?" he whispered at last
IT. oh. don't worry; you got him
ne right. Say" his voice SOLDERING. ma
ds be it was just as well you took tn;
D. lob. If it had been me | would hay
u! been in bad"
ID The wounded mans eyes QUESTION:
Sc It's bad mix-up. Keith. Wal
Ell never told us all Of 1t. ! reckon
en- didn't want her to know. and 81
ed never shall. If can help it. I've bee
ed looking over some papers in his poe
- et-he'd likely been after them III
no trip-and his name amt Hawley he
We bartlett Gale. Christie's father.
lie Keith could not seem to grasp q
an thought. his eyes half-closed.
be- "Her-her father" he QUESTION:
ne weakly. DO you suppose he knew
I'M NO; not at first. anyhow; not
he sheridan. He was too interested
OF his scheme to even suspicion he h
rk actually stumbled onto the real 81
lee | think he just found out.
it A COYOTE howled somewhere In
his darkness. q melancholy chorus joint
ISIS in the with long-drawn cadence.
pry shadow swept into the radius OF dal
low ing freight
can is he conscious. Doctor?
ere Fairbain drew back silently. and 5
dropped on her knees at keith's 81
t bending low to look into his face.
"Hope-Hope."
irt. Yes. dear. and you are going
Ing. live now-live for me.
his He found her hand. and held
ION clasped within his own. his eyes W
open
an Il have never told YOU" he 81
g softly. how much love you.
10 She bent lower until her CHI
toe. touched his
run. mo. Jack. but you may now"
RI THE END.
yes.