The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-07-17

said. Heaven knows you're needed
more than me. Judith. After all, l
reckon when my time had to come I'd
have chosen the quick way" His
voice trailed out and he struggled for
breath.
"Jerry's in the hall, Monty. He asked
me to give you his love-"
Poor old Niger! He-used to tote
me on his back when l was a little
shaver" There was silence. Don't
kneel, Judith" he said at length. You
will be so tired"
She rose obediently and drew up a
chair. Monty" she faltered tremu-
lousy, shall l say prayer? I've new
er prayed much-my prayers never
seemed to get above the ceiling, some
how. But I'll-try."
He smiled wanly. II wouldn't want
any better than yours. Judith. But
seems as If I'd been prayed over
enough. reckon God Almighty's like
anybody else, and doesn't want to be
ding -donged all the time"
He seemed to have been gathering
his resolution, and presently his hand
fumbled over his breast. my wallet;
give it to me-" She drew 1t from the
pocket and the uncertain fingers took
out key. st opens a tin box In my
trunk. Theresa letter in it for you"
He paused a moment, painting: "Ju-
dith," he said, "I've got to tell you, but
it's mighty hard. The letter .
it's one Valiant gave me for you-that
morning, after the duel. never gave
1t to you"
If she had been white before, she
grew like marble now. Her slim fin
gers clutched the little cane till it rat
tied against the chair, and the lace at
her throat shook with her breathing.
"Yes-Monty."
He lifted his hand with difficulty and
put the key into hers. 1.-THE seals still
unbroken, Judith" he said, ''but I've
kept 1t these thirty years."
She was holding the key in her
hands, looking down upon it. There
was strained half-fearful wonder in
her face. For an instant she seemed
quite to have forgotten him in the
grip of some swift and painful emo.
ton. ... ..' g.4" &c., ..'
81 loved you, Judith" he STAN.
mered in anguished appeal. From
the time we were boy and girl togeth'
er, l loved you. You never cared for
me-Sassoon and Valiant had the in.
side track. You might have loved me:
but I had no chance with either OF
them. Then came the duel. There was
only Valiant then. overheard his
promise to you that night, Judith. He
had broken that! II you cared more
for him than for Sassoon, you might
have forgiven him, and should have
lost you! didn't want you to call
him back, Judith! wanted my
chance! And SOL took it. That's
the reason, dear. It's-it's bad one
int it," t.
A SILVER went over her set face
like breath of wind over tall grass
and she seemed to come back from ar
infinite distance to place and moment
Between the curtains white butter
| fly lowered an instant, and in the yart
FBhe heard the sound of some winged
thing fluttering The thought dartet
to her that it was the sound of he
own dead heart awaking. She looked
at the key and all at once put hant
to her mouth as though to still words
clamoring there. 30
Judith" he said TREMENDOUSLY, be
tween short struggles for breath, "al
these years, after l found there wa
no chance for me, | reckon I've
prayed only one prayer. God, let /
be Sassoon that she loved!' And w
prayed that mighty near every day
The thought that maybe it was Valian
has haunted me like a ghost. Yo1
never told-and never dared ask yor
Judith"
Her face was still averted, and whel
she did not speak he turned his hea,
from her on the pillow, with a breatl
that was almost moan. She started
looking at him an instant in piteou
hesitation, then swiftly kissed the III
tie key and closed her hand tight upol
it. Truth? She saw only the pilloN
and the grazing face upon it! Sh
threw herself on her knees by tn