The record., 1914-08-06

: PAYING The PRICE
BY N. n. CROWElL.

A gaunt woman stood in the cabin
doorway and peered anxiously down
the narrow pathway leading into the
depths below. At her knees clunS
three tow-headed children = hectic
checked, wild-eyed little girls-and the
sound of half stined sobbing told of
grief ranking in their childish bo-
sens.
After n careful scrutiny of the tim
ber Ear beneath. the woman turned
and patted the girls heads reassur
ingly.
when are we a-goin' to eat. mamE
inquired the eldest. for perhaps the
tenth time.
When pap comes. child" came the
weak response.
The woman's hollow checks flushed
as she glanced swiftly toward the lit
tie cupboard in the corner-she knew
its bitter secret. jim. her husband,
also knew il when he descended that
narrow path early in tls, morning.
From the depths whistle sounded
face of the woman became pitiful with
tense, eager hope. Nearer came the
sound. and presently the crackle of
branches brushed aside could be
heard.
"Lissy?" Twas a mans voice-ex.
pectant-full of cheer.
JIM That word spoke volumes.
The children darted away, and some
where in the dark laughing. scufIling
capture took place. The woman
smiled slightly and turned quickly to
her work-her preparations for a
meal.
Boisterously the four entered the
cabin, the children tugging at a wealth
Of packages clasped beneath the mans
long arms. One stride took him to the
table and he dropped his burden there
on, hastily. as though glad to have
done with them.
Purity late, Lissy, by Jo." he said.
Thought | never would git up them
rocks beyend Coles fork. I'm clean
tucketed."
"Jim.' The word trembled pitiful'
\ ~. "Yuh hain't got no credit down
yender have yuh. Jim?"
mo. Lissy, haint.'
mo money been a-comin' in to yuh
nowhere. JIM"
They raided a wil'cat this aftuh-
noon. Lissy," he said. awkwardly.
"Who got took?" Twas a prompt
| eager, ready query
'Tunk Sellers. l heerd they ketched
i'm"
shore. Jin?"
Yes, Lissy. I'm shore"
She stopped and busted herself at
the stovc-her eyes wide, like those oI
hunted animal A short time elapsed
and the savory odor of frying meat
dwelt fragrantly upon the air. The
children circled clamorously about the
table, expectant.
Set up, Jim," said the woman, pres
emily.
He shook his head slowly.
Il hain't hungry. Lissy."
She did not argue the matter-he'
voice prevented it. The meal wa!
nearly over when the man arose ant
stood before a cracked bit of looking
glass that hung on the wall. Present
ly he turned and dropped a small
packet into the woman's lap.
''Yuh mought git yuh better glass
Lissy. You will-won't yuh, gal?" HI
spoke tenderly, yet harshly.
She dropped her fingers and the.
met the packet. The fingers instinc
lively closed over it. Her eyes studies
3 the faded design in the oilcloth fixedly
e Upon little shelf stood battere'
clock. He picked it up and begal
winding it, after which he shook !
10 his ear. Replacing it, he stretches
o himself lazily-then kissed the littl
: girls. beginning at the eldest.
a The woman's face was now burie'
: In her apron. He put his broad han
|. upon her gray-fecked locks, bent 10,
n and whispered:
, "Lissy-woman-I- goin."
II Silently he opened the door an
stepped out out into the darkness.
r Crack! 1t came up, clear and cris
the sound of a rifle.
). Shif'less Jim had taken the price
# and law, as inscrutable as fate, ol
h dained that he should return to tn
lonely mountain home no more fol
ever.
(Copyright)