Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-09-21

I
spoken out. Then. perhaps another,
who has learned to love her, does speak.
She feels the need OF love in her life
women as often marry to DO loved, as
because they love. Then, instead oi
wasting her life for tha, which may never
come to her, she takes up the fate lying
at her feet. Does she go very much
astray ?"
Lnmey's Pardner dropped his head
upon his breast. Poor girl ! never
thought of that" he said.
| do not know just how it was that |
remembered all the words so plain
There was no more said, and. feeling
guilly'like for stealing n mates secret
which was not meant for me to know,
crept To my shanty. bunked in, and let
the broken pick lie over until morning
| always felt sorry lor Llmley's Pard
ner after that.
Well, lor a time things went on in the
old way. Then Llmley's PArdner came
down with with mountoin-feyer, aud
Lumley nurSed him through it. lie was
as tender as woman, was Llmlev. -
When | used to drop in of nights, occas-
ionally, TO lend hand at watching, the
sick mans eyes would follow him about
the room, in helpless. beseeching way,
that was pitiiul TO see.
IL was only the ghost of Lumley's
Pardner that got up from it, but the two
were alwa. S higher together alter that
When Lumiey got back 10 the claim,
aud Lumley's Partner was Just able To
crawl about. they came into a wonderful
streak OF luck. Llmley struck into big
pocket, and there they were, in the turn
OF a die, rich men. Mining. after all, is
a game OF chlnce-you bug your ticket.
but 1t does not always win; there ale
plenty Of blanks to every prize.
1t does not matter the exact amount
this prize netted. ii had remembered it.
Iumley was iubilant over his pile"
anxious 10 sell out, aud leave the mines
so nobody was surprised when his partner
bought him out Tor good round sum,
saying, in his l1iet way, that he guessed
he'd stay and sec the thing through.
Il VAS very quiet ia camp the morning
that Llmley went away. The boys
were sorry TO lose him.. for he had not
ANY but well wisherS among Us.
Well, six months went bf. aud then
came little white letter, "scribad" 10 u
dainty woman's hand TO Lumley's Pard.
ner. The man lrcmblod al over like leaf
when il was put into his hand, 'ook it into
his cabin, and shut fast the door Within
The next hall.hour he came out again in
a desperate hurry, sadiled his mule, and
rode oil down the trail.
Unexpected business !" was his ha ty
explanation. Could not say how soon he
might be back"
The news came to US at last by party
Of traders, stopping to noon in camp.
Then knew wht, Those marks OF weak
ness about his mouth stood for; Lumley
lAd never left the city at all He had sat
down to the gaming table one night. and
gotten up from it the next morning poor
sr than he had come into the mines. He
lad first won. then los., aud lost and
won again; aud then that last total blank
stared him in the face.
Lumley could never give up at that.
lie must win it all back. Luck was surely
% store for him yet! He haunted the
yamoling hells, playing recklessly, des
50 long as he could win enough
o keep the ball rolling; pawniug his
watch. his ring, even his clothing when
other resources failed.
SO Lumley's Pardner found him
leavy eyed. with seedy lashiness in
ais dress, marks Ct dissipation on his fair.
lace-a pretty nearly played
out Individual.
The blood rushed all over his face,
or the manliness yet left him could but
EEL the shAms of that meeting. Bat
here was no backing out now. Lumley's
ID L. tnol, hin, n nna ei1a
I've heard OF you. old m an" lie said
N his matter oftact way, land I've come
% see you out of this" How much do
,ou say will clear you up. and have
rifle ahead?"
Lumley never raised his eyes.
"Old Pard," he answered, choking up,
you're better friend than l deserve
Don't ask me 10 take anything from you
went in with my eyes open, and, thank
no yor all the same. I'll have Dobody's
lelp out"
Lumley's Pardner laid broad hand on
Zach of the pitifully dropping shoulders.
"Old man, when that fever had me
down I'd ha' gone under if it hadn't been
or you. So help me God I'd rather
IA died than have taken what did at
rour hands. Do you dare deny me his
;mall return, now?" What's paltry
ium of money between you and me, and
little mother waiting at homer"
Lumley put down his head upon that
md cried like baby; the which. il it be
lot manly. like him the better for.
There are tears, l am thinking, that are
ar from disgracing even the eyes ofa