The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1914-02-06
The HAND OF
FATHER Time
Loves Young Dream Has a
Rude Awakening.

IL II De w uch VIC soiC w A'AA'N
"Five-fifteen," l replied
Looking behind me, l saw a man
who appeared to be about fifty years
old. He was i'll at ease about some
thing. but whether it was in finding
himself in Il civilized land, for which
he was by no means fitted, or was ap-
preaching some crisis in his life I
could not tell. l encouraged him to
talk. and he did so.
twenty-five years before he had
been Tilted. He had gone to the gold
regions and made a fortune. Recent
ly learning that his former love was
single, he had renewed his proposition
of quarter Of century before. The
woman had returned prompt accept
'ance, and lie was going to his home to
be made happy after so many years of
waiting. He opened a carpetbag and
took from a soiled roll Of papers a
card photograph. 1t was the saucy
face of pretty girl of eighteen.
"Thar she air, stranger; thars Ma
hubby. l hev KEEP tibet pictur' by me
ever since left her, an she wrote me
tibet one of me, taken about the same
time, he'd been on the parlor mantel,
whar she could see it every day. In
her last letter she warmed up over it.
sayin' she was lookin' anxiously fur
that black mustache. that roun' cheek
them raven locks she'd knowed years
afore.'
The mans mustache was yellow
gray, his cheek a furrowed leather,
and on the top Of his head stood few
scattered hairs like timber on a noun
tain that had been swept by fire. I
looked from him to the likeness Of his
early love, and it occurred to me that
the same changes had doubtless oc-
Cured in her.
my friend I said, edo you think
you will know the lady when you meet
herr"
"Sartin. Dye suppose I could ever
furgit that purity faceY '''
81 would like to bet you a tenner
that you won't know her."
He dived into his pocket, drew forth
fat roll of bills and, wetti4g. his
thumb, selected a ten dollar bill, which
l mated. Then arranged with him to
send for his fiancee to come to the no.
tel we agreed to stop at and he was
to see her among other women. He
gave me his name. Mark Spellbinder.
while his betrothed was Mahuldy
Rails. After Mr.. Spellbinder and
had reached the hotel mailed a note
to Miss Rails, saying that if she would
call at the hotel that evening a friend
of her lover would give her informa-
ton of him.
About 8 o'clock l was informed that
a lady wished to see me in the parlor.
I found very fat person, with griz-
ely gray hair-what there was of it
the front teeth decayed and look of
chronic dissatisfaction on her face.
Miss Rails. l believer"
Eyes. sir, Miss Rails. What We got to
tell me bout Mark Spellbnder?"
HE is here in this house. He wishes
to know if you will recognize him."
Recognize him? Why not?"
Hes older, you know"
$50 am l, but l hope I'm not
fright"
l whispered to waiter to tell Mr..
Spellbinder to come in. There were
several people in the room, including
a girl of twenty-five. Before SPELL
binder arrived l purposely left Miss
Rails and walked to a fireplace. The
groom eXpectant came in and looked
inquiringly about him. If his eye
touched Miss Rails, it did not remain
upon her for more than a moment
Then, after taking in several women.
it rested on the young lady. 1t had
been arranged between him and me
that he was to leave the room without
giving any evidence of having made a
selection.
AS soon as he was gone returned to
Miss Rails and after brief chat on
unimportant matters told her that her
lover had been in the room.
"Been herein this room? I don't
b'lieve it. Only one man has come in
since I've been here, an he was an
old codger, bald as cOot an with
cheeks like new plowed field"
''That was he. l feared you wouldn't
recognize him." And without waiting
for more words l excused myself and
Joined Mr.. Spellbinder.
'Well, did you pick her out?" I
asked.
'Yaas," he said, with a sigh. "She
hain't near so purity as she war, but
she's kind O. nice anyway"
(which one was itY'
''The girl by the winder'
you're mistaken. Miss Rails sat in
the far corner"
What! The fat old cat with snag-
gle teeth?'
you shouldn't speak so disrespect-
fully of the woman you are to marry"
He looked bewildered. Several times
he started to say something. but failed
to get it out. At last he took out the
roll Of bills had seen once before and
handed it to me.
Stranger" he said, II feel kinder 9
though somepin war goin' to happen to
me. If somepin does, give that to Ma
hubby"
He turned and walked away. 70.