The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1913-12-25


81 "Why can't see them ovens!'
You come on JIM Next morning Jim Law on a
cot with sheet drawn to his chin and grayish-yel-
low bandage covering forehead and eyes down to the
tip OF his nose When the surgeon lifted that ban
dage the nurse turned her face aside and what was
under It, or rather what not under it, shall not
be told Only out in the operating the smooth
raced young assistant was curiously counting over
some round leaden pellets and he gave one low whis
tie when he pushed into pile full fourscore
HE said he was a-ookin' through keyhole,"
the sergeant reported FAN somebody let him have it
with both barrels-but that don't 60 Jim wouldn't
be lookin' through no keyhole-he'd bust the door
down.
Nor could the sergeant learn more He had found
the man stumbling down Possum Hollow. and up
that hollow the men and women of the mining camp
did not give one another away
1t might'a' been any of dozen feers
KNOW the sergeant said, for Jim was feudsman
and had his enemies by the score. 4tsa
The man on the cot said nothing. Once to be sure
when he was crossing the border to Etherland and
once only he muttered: Yes, she was a cat no doubt
I about that. Yes, sir, the old girl was cat' But
when he was conscious, that much even he never
would say again. He simply lay grim, quiet, uncom-
planning and not even the surgeon whose step he got
quickly to KNOW could get him to tell who had done
the deed 81
On the fourth day he showed some cheer 81
Look here, Doc, he said ''when you gon' to
take this rag off O. my eyes. 1 hain't a wink
since come in here.''
ooh, pretty soon, said the surgeon and the nurse
turned away again with drops in her eyes that would
never be for his eyes to shed again.
On the sixth day his pulse fast and his blood
was highland that night the nurse knew precisely
what meant the look in the surgeons face when he
otioned her to leave the room Then he bent to lift
the bandage once more.
ssWhy don't you take 'em all off Doc? I'd like to
see the old girl again. Won't she come to see me7'
eyes, she'll come, but she can't now-she's sick
abed." The man grinned
eyes, [ know them spes.''
jim, - said the surgeon suddenly, 'I'm going to
be very busy tomorrow, and If you We got any mes
sage to send to anybody or anything to say to me-
you'd better say it before go He spoke careless
ly, but with little too much care
The sheet moved over the hands clasped across
Jim's breast. 'sWh, Doc, you don't mean to say
He stopped and drew in one breath slowly.
"Oh, no, but you can't always tell and might not
get back TIL late, and thought you might have
something to tell me about" He paused helplessy
and the man on the cot began moving his lips. The
surgeon bent low.
why, Doc, he said very slowly, "you-don t.
really--mean- to-say--that the Old his voice
dropped to whisper has finished me this time9"
sWho finished you, Jim-whod you say finished
YOUR
curious smile. fitted over the coarse lips and
passed. Then the lips frightened and the thought be-
hind the bandage made its way to the surgeon s
quick brain, and there was long silence
At last
I'D you ever hear tell Doc, of woman bein'
hungg'
Eyes, JIM
And then:
"Doc, am goin' shore9" This question the sur
geon answered with another, bending low.
Jim, what message shall give your wife2" The
curious smile came back
Doc, this is Christmas amt it?"
Eyes, Jim.
Doe, your shore, air ye, that nobody knows who
done it9'
s'Nobody but you, jim !"
The man had been among the terror of the hills
for years. but on the last words that passed his gray