The Prescott daily news., 1914-09-30
PAYING THE PRICE
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By N. H. CROWELL.

A gaunt woman stood in the cabin doorway 3nd 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 Der far beneath, the woman turned and patted the girls heads reassur- ingly.
 When are we a-goin' to eat, mam?" inquired the eldest, for perhaps tho 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 it when he descended that narrow path early in the morning
 From the depths whistle sounded 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 mans voice-ex- pectant-full of cheer
 "Jim!" That word spoke volumes. The children darted away, and some where in the dark laughing, scuflling 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 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.
 "Purty late, Lissy, by Jo!" he said. Thought never would git up them rocks beyond Coles fork. I'm clean tuckered."
 "Jim!" The word trembled pitiful- ly. "Yuh hain't got no credit down yender, have yuh, Jim?"
 No, Lissy hain't."
 No 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
 Funk Sellers. I heerd they ketched i'm"
 Shore, Jim?"
 Yes, Lissy, I'm shore"
 She stopped and busied herself at the stove-her eyes wide, like those of 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 ently.
 He shook his head slowly.
 T hain't hungry, Lissy"
 She did not argue the matter-her voice prevented it. 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 better glass, Lissy. You will-won't yuh, gal?" He spoke tenderly, yet harshIy.
 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 little shelf stood a battered clock. He picked 1t up and began winding 1t. after which he shook it to his ear. Replacing it, 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-fecked locks, bent low and whispered:
 "Lissy-- y--woman-I-Tm goin'."
 Silently he opened the door and stepped~out out into the darkness
 Crack! It came up clear and crisp --the sound of rifle.
 Shifless Jim had taken the price and law, as inscrutable as fate, or dained that he should return to the lonely mountain home no more for ever.