The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1915-07-02
o. |

| was too late, for, Selling a sudden and
fatal opening, he had closed with his antag-
onist and then, with the horrible indescrib-
able, suppressed shrek Of a man who has
received death wound, the Indian threw his
arms above his head staggered back and fell,
blood squirting from his side.
Wallace bent over him, wipng the knife
and sheathing it.
at is probably her lover from their camp"
Wallace said, as came up to him. "Where is
the grit"
We looked for her and called for her, but
she was gone, and we could find no trace of
her.
Come commanded, 1--WE must get back
for there are doubtless others near, and we
shall both be murdered if we stay Come"
Reluctantly he gave up his search, and we
walked back hastily to camp
Had the girl betrayed hint
thought so, and suggested the fear to him,
but he answered in the strain which he had
adopted since | had first spoken to him Of
the girl. 81 love her and will trust her, and
] said nothing more.
The next morning camp was broken.
The routine of the life of the few months
following bears no relation to the story.
met Wallace frequently, but neither of
us ever spoke of the tragedy in the noun
tains, and gradually forgot all about il, and
Ind no thought Of his cherishing his foolish
attachment, as | considered it, until he OBJ
tanned his discharge six months afterward'
and came to me suddenly one morning, say
ing:
II have come to say good-by, captain [
am going out to New Mexico again"
Wallace, +" cried, "you foolish fellow
Are you entirely crazyl You cant mean to
say that you are going out TO that country
again in wild chase after that Indian giri"
odd you think | had forgottenl" he
asked, smiling. Even If don't find her |
shall never forget her. Good-byl You have
been kind friend TO me, and thask you for
ii with all my heart.
And he wrung my hand and was gone.
heard nothing of him until year after,
ward, when a letter came TO me from New
Mexico addressed in his bold manuscript.
81 have found her." it began, abruptly,
and we are happy. We have made our home
in the little cabin which was your quarters
when you were here.
"You predicted, my dear friend, that the
marriage should il ever occur, would be an
unhappy one because of some disparity be-
tween us in the cultivation of our intellectual
have been together have awakened into that
state far, far above the mere pleasure of in
tellectua attainment the true soul--life
lust as this beautiful, clear air is flooded
these calm nights, with the wonderful star.
light OF the mountains, so my soul has been
flooded with the wonderful light of new con.
coptions of life, new hopes and new ambi-
tons.
"My dark eyed wife has been given soul
deep, strong and beautiful, seeming able to
grasp that which is far beyond me, even the
infinite. We are very happy. She still keeps
her old curious love for the voice of the wind
among the trees, and she will sit before the
door for hours together these quiet nights,
listening.
:" want so much to have You see her. but
she will not leave her home here. Can YOU
not come out TO see usi You must need a
little recreation, and YOU will rejoice seeing
the old places under new conditions, for there
will be nothing to worry you. Will you not
comet"
determined TO accept his invitation and
in few days rode out on horseback from the
little mining village toward the scene of the
old encampment in the mountains.
II was far past noon when | was going up
he last mile OF the ascent and approached
The cabin.
My horses hoofs made ringing echoes nm.
IN the rocks, sending an alarm ahead. and,
rs drew up to the cabin Wallace was await.
ng me.
lie had told me that he was happy. and |
lad been dwelling in anticipation upon find.
ing him much changed from his old. stern
Ways but as he came out, his face was white,
iaggard aud CHASTITY.
why, Wallace old MANI | cried as |
rasped his hand; Whats the matter with
'oui Are you sicki''
NO." he answered 81 am not sick. Come
II. And he led the way into the cabin. ~
I'm not sick, " he repeated; "but look therel'
IND he drew me into the little sleeping room
adjoining, and pointed TO the rough pine bed
n one corner, where his wife lay-deadl