The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-01-15

''N-n-or answered Lumley's pardner,
/ slowly. 1T was some one | had never
seen. I've nothing ag'in the man"
"Well, then" Lumley went on
truth cuts hard, old fellow think it
WAS your fault, and not the girls. It's
mans privilege to speak his mind; a
woman's destiny to fold her hands and
wait. She can never be quite sure UNI
less he has 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 be
loved as because they love. Then, in
stead of wasting her life for that which
may never come to her, she takes up the
fate that is lying at her feet. Does she
go so very much astray?"
Lumley's pardner dropped his head
upon his breast
Poor girl never thought of that"
he answered.
l do not know Just how it was that l
remembered all the words so plain.
There was no more said, and, feeling
guilty-like for stealing mates secret
which was not meant for me to know, l
crept to my shanty, bunked in, and let
the broken pick lie over until morning.
l always felt sorry for Lumley's pardner
after that
Well, for time, things went on in the
old way. Then Lumley's parlner came
down with mountain fever, and Lumley
nursed him through it. He was as
tender as u women, was Lumley. When
l used to drop in of nights, occasionally,
to lend hand at watching, the sick
mans eyes would follow him about the
room in helpless, beseeching way that
was pitiful to see. 1t was only the ghost
of Lumleys pardner that got up from
it, but the two were higher together after
that
When Lumley got back to the claim,
and Lumley's pardner just able to crawl
about, they came into II wonderful streak
of luck, Lumley struck into II big
pocket, and there they were, in the turn
of die, rich men. Mining, after all, is
but game of chance-you buy your
ticket, but it does not always win; there
are plenty OF blanks to every prize.
1t does not matter the exact amount
this prize Melted. if l had remembered
it. Lumley was jubilant over his ''pile,"
anxious to sell ont, and leave the mines;
so nobody was surprised when his pard-
ner bought him out for good round
sum, saying in his quiet way, that he
guessed he'd stay and see the thing
through.
1t was very quiet in camp the morn
that Lumley went away. The boys were
sorry to lose him, for he had not any but
wellwishers among us.
Well, six months went by, and then
came little white letter, ''scribed" in
woman's hand, to Lumley's pardner.
The man trembled all over like leaf
when it was put into his hand, took it
into his cabin, and shut fast the door
Within the next half hour he came out
again in IL desperate hurry, saddled his
mule, and rode off.
"Unexpected business" was his hasty
explanation. Could not say how soon
he might be back
The news came to us at last by party
of traders, stopping at noon III camp
Then | knew what those marks of weak
ness about his mouth stood for; Lumley
had never left the city at all He had
sat down to the gaming-table one night,
and gotten up from it the next morning
poorer than he had come into the mines.
He had first won, then lost, and lost and
won, and won again. and then that last
total blank stared him in the face.
Lumley could never give up at that
He must win it all back. Luck was
surely in store for him yet. He haunted
the gambling hells, playing recklessly,
desperately, so long as he could win
enough to keep the ball rolling; pawn
ing his watch his ring, and even his
clothing, when other resources failed.
SO Lumleys pardner found him
heavy-eyed, with II seedy tlashiness in
his dress, marks of dissipation on his
fair, womanish- face-a nearly played
out individual.
The blood rushed all over his face, for
the manliness yet left i'll him could but
feel the shame of that meeting. But
there was no backing ont now Lum-
icy's pardncr took him one side.
tive heard of you, old man" he said,
in his mattcr-offact way, 'and I've come
to see you out of this. How much do
you say will clear you up, and have
triilc ahead"
Lumlcy never raised his eyes.
"Old pard, he answered, choking up,
''you' re Il better friend than | deserve.
Don't ask me to take anything from you.
] went in with my eyes open, and, thank
ing you all the same, I'll have nobody's
help out"
Lumlcy's pardncr laid IL broad hand
or each Of the pitifully dropping should
crs.
''Old man, when that fever had me
down, I'd ha' gone under if ii hadn't
been for YOU. So help me God I'd
l. 4. al. hat
did ut your hands. DO you dare deny
| Tim. AAlat.1 ll.if'