The record., 1914-10-29
PAYING THE PRICE
BY N. II. CROWEll.

ssssssssssssssssssssssssss
A gaunt woman stood In the cabin
doorway and peered anxiously down
the narrow pathway leading into the
depths below. At her knees clung
three tow-headed children - hectic
checked, wild-eyed little girls-and the
sound of half-stifled sobbing told OF
grief ranking in their childish bo-
SONS.
After a careful scrutiny Of the tim.
ber far beneath, the woman turned
and patted the girls heads reassur
lngly.
When are We a-goin' to eat, MANI?
inquired the eldest. for perhaps the
tenth time.
when pap comes. child" came the
weak response.
The woman's hollow cheeks flushed
as she glanced swiftly toward the lit
tie cupboard in the corner-she knew
its bitter secret. Jim, her husband,
also knew 1t when he descended that
narrow path early in tls morning.
thC hCpthS u couhoSe
UP clear and keen. and the anxious
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. scuffiing
capture took place. The woman
smiled slightly and turned quickly to
her work-her preparations for q
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 I never would git up them
rocks beyend Coles fork. I'm clean
tuckered."
"Jim!" The word trembled pitiful-
ly. "Yuh hain't got no credit down
yender. have yuh. Jim?"
mo. Lissy. ! hain't"
mo money been a-comin' in TO yuh
nowhere, Jim?"
They raided a wheat this aftuh-
noon, Lissy." he said. awkwardly.
who got took k?r.,Twas q prompt,
eager. ready query.
"Tunk Sellers. heerd they ketched
I'm"
Shore, Jim"
Yes, Lissy. I'm shore"
She stopped and busted herself at
the stove-her eyes wide. like those of
hunted animal. A short time elapsed
ind 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.
lie shook his head slowly.
7 hain't hungry. Lissy."
She did not argue the matter-her
voice prevented 1t. The meal was
nearly over when the man arose and
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 a better glass.
Lissy. You will-won't yuh. gal?" He
spoke tenderly. yet harshly.
She dropped her fingers and they
met the packet. The fingers instinc.
lively closed over It, Her eyes studied
the faded design in the oilcloth fixedly.
Upon a little shelf stood a battered
clock. He picked 1t up and began
winding 1t, after which he shook 1t
to his ear. Replacing 1t, he stretched
himself lazily-then kissed the little
girls. beginning at the eldest.
The woman's face was now buried
IN her apron. He put his broad hand
upon her gray-decked locks, bent low
and whispered:
"Lissy-woman-I-T goin'."
Silently he opened the door and
stepped out out into the darkness.
Crack! 1t came up. clear and crisp
the sound Of a rifle.
Shif'less Jim had taken the price
and a law, as inscrutable as fate. or
dained that he should retdrn to the
lonely mop' Min home no more for.
ever.
(Copyright.)