Year: 1871

hovel where rum had left nothing but ruin. He never heard kind word, or had kiss left upon his childish face, but he hated the meanness and filth which surrounded him and ran away to sea, when only four teen years of age. When he came back, grown to manhood, his old home had been swept away by the tide of improvements, and his relations were all gone, save one fair-headed sister, who might have been his idol, but she vanished out of his life without a word of farewell, and for years he never heard of her or the man who had lured her away. ..a.,.., ..s.E

 The year that I met him, he had been through the West he couldn't tell what for, except that he had made money and wanted to spend it. Vice and luxury were strangers to him, so his wants were few and simple. E.. -a -t ... a..

 He came to cabin, one night, and as it was late, asked to be allowed to stay the man consented, and bade the woman pro- vide some supper for the traveller.

 His host went out, and his voice could be heard at some distance from the front of the house. The woman eyed him closely from a window, then motionlng to Bill, led him to slide window at the rear of the cabin, whispered to him that twas only a mile to the next house, slipped a piece of paper into his hand, and bade hlm run for his life. s.".

 He said he could not tell how it hap pened, but for the first and only time he ran from danger. He aroused the people, and was given place on the floor to sleep.

 Saying nothing about his adventure, he managed to read by the light of the coals the paper which the woman had given him. Imagine his surprise when he found that he had seen his long lost sister, and that she had sought to save his life by get ting him away from her husband, who mistrusted that he had money, and would not hesitate to murder him in order to obtain it. She said she had witnessed dreadful things, but begged him not to try to meet her, as his life would be inn periled.

 The next morning he determined to return and have an interview with her, and if possible persuade her to accompany him.

 The house was closed, boards nailed up before the windows, and no sign of life upon the premises.

 He looked for his horse that, of course, was gone, and he was about leaving, when he heard moans. Again he listened, and traced the sound to the window out of which he had escaped the previous night.

 He wrenched off the boards. and soon found the sister he sought, but she was in dying condition. She had been terribly beaten by the brutal husband; upon her had come the full brunt of his disappoint- ment when he discovered his victim had left. She told of terrible sufferings and crime, but death hastily closed her recital, and poor Bill held a lifeless form in his arms. He called in the only neighbors, within several miles, the people where he stayed over night. Together they buried the bruised and mangled body, and over the grave the brother vowed to revenge the life which had been sacrificed for hlm

 He heard of "his man' crossing the plains, and so had followed, nursing all the time the deepest hatred in his heart, never doubting that he should find him, and then the end was plain.

 He held up his hands. "I have seen his blood upon them all the way" said he.

 "That night" he continued, "I could not sleep, and something whispered that he was not far from me. So went out and continued my search. I heard his voice on the street. 1 should have known it anywhere. I followed him to his cabin and entered close behind him. had something to say to him, and you know couldn't shoot him down without giving him chance; 'twant in me to do that.

 But he turned upon me quicker than thought and gave me this shot through my shoulder, My right arm dropped powerless, but l sprang upon him, and as we closed he gave me a stab in my side, his own pistol, pointed toward himself went off, either by accident or design, shall never know which, and we fell to- gether on the floor.

 "That Spaniard came in, attracted by the firing. 1 had helped hls family to food and shelter, so easily prevailed upon him to go for you, not because thought you could do anything for me, but I did not want you to spend your time hunting me up. ;@

 The wretch died; although I didn't kill him, l meant to, so l am a murderer to you. My work on earth is done, and you had better leave now. I am afraid shall get to care for you if you stay, and that would be foolish, as there hasn't been any love in my life. I shan't trouble yOu NltA IAOIS tdih. guess | nave lost my right now to the title the boys gave me-"

 As soon as he was able, we went back into the country and pitched our tent among the grand old trees. There came days when the hushed stiffness brought thoughts of rest, peace and almost believ ing.

 Under the branches where the stray sun beams touched us with light and healing 1 told the story of Him whose blood car wash the deepest stain from human hearts and hands, and into natures temple came the great, invisible, loving presence whicf stands human as ever, though unseen-ir our very midst, and whose coming into any life will lift it from it's mre, and defile ment into the lost Paradise which lie. about us everywhere.

 As l dwelt upon the wondrous love ant compassion, he asked earnestly, "Why ha my life been so dark and loveless ?" Ah, how many aching hearts have asked that, as they look back over dwarfed ane ] thwarted lives.

 But there came time when his ques tionings ceased, and he changed his life , long burden for cross.

 And for years, Silent Bill' was knowl all through tEe mines and camps as s'Th Big Elder" A FAMILY OF SUFFERERS. find il | .,A r<>e,