The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-01-29

pure, and the yellow slime of jealousy
soon became visible on the surface of
one.
TUE river petered out, and Frazer
river became the theme of excite.
ment, and the land which held the
fortunes Of a thousand adventurers.
Bob Adams decided to go there,
as did the majority of the men in
camp, including Robbins and Mart.
'The steamer that carried Them
north from San Francisco had on
board detachment of troops bound
for Fort Bellingham.
DIR. Stanley, with his wife and
daughter were with them.
Perhaps Mary Stanley knew that
Adams was going to Frazer river to
work for her; perhaps she knew that
he had left fifty thousand dollar sbe-
hind at San Francisco, and a policy
on his lite payable to her if he died.
say, perhaps Mary knew this but
she didn't, and it wouldn't have in,
creased her love for the honest young
fellow if she had known it. Indeed,
if anything could make Mary love
Bob Adams more, it would be to find
him very poor, and sick, and help
less, and in some way wholly depen-
dent on her for recovery. She often
imagined him SO in her dreams, and
herself nursing him back to strength
and hope.
81 tell you, boys, for the love l bear
my mother, | am glad to think there
are many girls ike Mary YET in the
world, and We all know one like her,
If We wanted to speak out.
4 x X n X
''See here, Adams, l want to talk
TO you
The steamer mad entered Puget's
Sound, and the miners were nearing
the goal of their hopes, and Bob
Adams was gazing at the white
mountains, which seemed approach
ing ham with their golden treasures,
at every revolution Of the steamers
wheels.
Bob turned from his day dream
he had been thinking of Marp Stan
ley, who but yesterday had promised
TO marry him on his return from the
mines. He saw, standing at his
shoulder, Jim Robbins.
'Nodding his head, he walked with
Robbins TO the smoke stack, where
the escaping steam rendered private
conversation possible, in a very high
key, with scores Of people around.
Robbins face was haggard, for he
had been drinking every day since
coming on board.
''What is it, Robbins 2? asked Bob,
looking into Jim's bloodshot eyes.
care you going to marry Mary
Stanley?' asked Robbins, with
threatening scowl.
''Why do you ask p
81 heard it day from San Diego
Mart, and / said it was lie. Say |
was right, or by
Robbins hesitated.
"Or what? Go on, said Bob, cool
as the snow on the distant mountain.
''Or you'll die She promised to
mine! l swear it d! She promised be.
fore l left the regiment =
"A blush of froth gathered on Rob
bins lips as he spoke, and he buried
his nails in the palms of his hands.
'I do not believe this sir But if
Mary Stanley should prefer you to
me, | have too much respect for the
lady to object to her choice, much as
| would regret the misfortune.'
"What do you mean p demanded
Robbins, in a voice that sounded
away above the roar of the steam
er.
81 refuse to explain nore,' said
Bob, attempting to walk away.
''But you sh all explain
Robbins was a much more power
full man than Robert Adams, aud
before the latter could resist, the
villain had him by the throat.
''Say it's a lie' yelled Robbins,
tightening his hold, while Eob, re
tanning his presence of mind, tried to
tree his arm to strike.
''See hyar! I'll do the sayin' in
this job for Bob Adams, What is it 2
This was said in the uDmistakable
voice of San Diego Nj art; and at the
same moment, jim Robbins felt his
arm grasped as If bull dog had sud
denly closed hls jaws on it.
'Releasing his hold on Bob, Rob
bins wheeled, struck San Diego Mart,
and ie!led him to the deck, but in
turn he went down himself before a
well planted blow from Robert.
Before anything more could be
done, mutual friends rushed in, and
one of them pulled pistol from Rob.
I,ns' hand, and in the excitement,
threw it overheard, forgetting that
they were at sea, and that the
chanc 8 for regaiuing the weapon
were not SO good as they would have
been in a row on Tule river.
Robbins rose TO his feet, breathing
vengeance; and San Deigo Mart,
who was up before him, announced
himself ready, then and there, to give
him any kinu and any amount of sat.
isfaction he pleased.
Robbins declined this pressing in.
vitation, and glaring at Bob Adams,
walked away.
''That ar sneak'll bar heap O.
watchin',' said Mart, nodding his head
after the retreating Robbins, San I'll
watch him, and if he gifts to cuttin' up
any more, I'll-'
Mart finished the sentence in pan.
tomime, by bringing his right hand,
thereby crushing an imaginary Jim
Robbins, who wouTl persist in cut
tin up, ag'in his own best interests.
"A beautiful moonlight night to..
lowed this incident, and Mary as was
her custom, walked to the stern of
the steamer, where, alone or with
Robert she could watch the stare
above, and see the play of the peace
full waters below. and the bold shore.
line of the green North west.
'She was standing alone now.
when hearing a quick step benin d
her, she turned, thinking it might be
her Robert. Instead Jim Robbins
was beside her. She had refused to
acknowledge him before, and now
she stood looking at him without
speaking.
tMary-Miss Stanley, may ]
speak p he asked.
81 cannot prevent you, SIR was
! Al ~ ,o,Ix,