Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1916-02-11


Was II friend or enemy out there, just
beyond the thickness of the heavy
panels? At all events, she must see.
She braced herself and threw the
door open. A figure which had been
leaning against II lurched forward,
stumbled over the threshold and fell
In q heal, half in and half out II
was the figure of Anse Havey.
How far he had hitched himself
along. foot by foot, like MORALLY
wounded animal crawling home to die,
she could not tell, but for one horri
fed instant che stood gazing down on
him in stupe action.
He had gone out a splendid vital
creature of resilient strength and pow.
er. He hf come back the torn and
bleeding wreck OF a man, literally
shot to pieces, as a quail Is shattered
when it rises close 10 quick.shooting
gun.
In the next moment she was stOop
ing with her arms around his body,
striving to lift his weight and bring
him in. She was strong beyond all
seeming of her slenderness, but the
man was heavy, and as she raised his
head and shoulders sound OF bitten
off and stifled agony escaped his white
lips. and she knew that her efforts
were torturing him.
Il was an almost lifeless tongue
that hlspered, 81 was skeered-that
I--wou'dn't get here"
Then as she staggered under his
inert bulk he tried to speak again.
Jest help-drag me-"
The few yards into the hall made
long and terrible Journey, and how
she ever got him in, half hanging to
her, half crawling, stopping at every
step, she never knew Still It was
done at last and she was kneelng on
the floor with his head or her breast.
No wonder they had left him for
dead and gone away content. He
looked up and a faint smile came to
his almost unrecognizable face. The
blood which had already dried and
caked with the dust through which he
had crawled was being fed by fresh
er outpouring, and, as she held him
close to her, her own bosom and arms
were red too, as red as the flower
pinned in her hair.
She must stanch his wounds and
pour whisky down his throat before
the pickering wisp of life-fame burned
out.
wait, dearest" she said In bro
ken voice. Il must get things you
need"
1T aint"-he paused a moment for
the breath which came very hard
"scarcely-worth WILHELM DONE"
But she few to the cupboard where
there was brandy. She tore linen
from her petticoat and brought water
from the drinking bucket that stood
with its gourd dipper on the porch.
But when she pressed the flask to
his lips he closed them and shook his
head little.
Il amt never touched drop in my
life," he said, IAN reckon-l nights
well-finish out-'twon't be long. It's
too late to begin now
spoke again, weakly:
"Just kiss Observation-Disclosures what
come for"
After pause he spoke again.
There's one thing-Ive got to ask
ye: Why did we swear-ye didn't care
for me-in court?'
Her head came up and she an
swered steadily:
Dearest, I'd never asked myself
that question until the lawyer asked
It. l didn't know the answer myself,
but II l did love you. meant to tell
you first; II was our business, not his.
l was there to help you, and 1t
wouldn't have helped you to tell them
that ! was fighting for my own heart
And, besides, didn't know then,
quite"
She went on bathing and stanching
his wounds as best she could, but a
spirit of despair settled on her. There
were so many of them, and they were
so deep and ragged!
II didnt-come for help" he told
her, and through the CRIME and blood
flashed ghost Of his rare and boyish
smile. "I'm past mendin' now. j
came because-Im dyin-an' ! wanted
to die in your arms!"
you shant die" she breathed
fiercely between her teeth. my arms
shall always be around YOU"
But he shook his head and his fig-
ure sagged little against her knees.
Il know-when I'm DONE" he said
slowly. ITS all right now-rve done
got here. That's enough loves ye."
For a time she wondered whether
he had lost consciousness, and she
laid him down slowly and brought
cushions with which to soften his po-
sition. 1t was almost daybreak now.
She sat there beside him, and as her
heart beat close to him he seemed to
draw from 1t some of its abundant vi,
tally, for he revived a little. and
though his eyes were closed and she
had to bend down to catch his words,
his voice grew somewhat stronger.
II amt never felt lonesome-before.
But out there-dyin' by myself-the