The Hope pioneer., 1888-07-20

70, I'm SO gia1W Leona exclaimed, for
Eetful OF her brother in the joy of having
haif-promise from her lover that he would
abandon his dangerous business.
Iisn't because I'm afraid of gettin'
Killed. When feller's got to die he'll do
1t, no matter what his business is. Neither
me nor Grips goin' to get hurt till our time
comes. No; it's because Pm a regular and
Gr1p's mooniighter that I'm bothered.
I'm mixed between duty and love- Say,
Leona, what did you tell me for!n
81 didn't quite tell you. You Guessed it,
and couldn't lie."
'sWell, kiss me goodbye, and we'll fix
things up somehow"
She watched him drive up small hill in
the road. The shadowy appearance of the
team and driver in the fog when they
reached the top of the rise, almost made her
cry out in anguish. With superstitious
foreboding she returned to the house.
Jockey Todd drove slowly; there was tur-
moil in his mind. He possessed a sense of
honor, and it troubled him to be deceiving
those whom he served. He felt that if he
withheld from the company the evidence
that Grip was moonlighter he would be
treating them unfairly. He was very glad
when he reached the oil well that he had
come to torpedo. The exciting task that he
was about to perform would for the time
divert his thoughts. He stopped the horses
short distance from the derrick, and
jumped to the ground. Then he opened the
box to get the glycerine. There was none
there! The box was empty, yet he himself
had seen the cans placed there at the fac
tory before he started. He shut the lid
with slam.
'1t was mean, durn mean, Of Grip Jervis
to steal my stuff while was in his house
courtin' his sister,
He put his foot on hub Of a wheel and
leaning au elbow on his knee, became
thoughtful. He could not go back to the
factory and declare that the box had not
been filled, for he had signed the receipt,
and it was already filed as voucher for the
quantity he had taken. If he reported to
the company that he had lost the glycerine
he might be accused of conniving with the
moonlighters. At last he saw way out of
his difficulty. Being on good terms with a
man who manufactured glycerine, and
whose trade was largely with the moon
lighters, Jockey Todd resolved to go to him
and try to buy enough of the explosive to
''shoot" the well. He hid the shell under
some bushes, and drove to the factory,
where he succeeded in purchasing the
amount of glycerine he needed. He also
bought shell.
When he returned to the well, curiosity
led him to look under the bushes where he
had secreted the other shell. 1t was gone.
Scrip is tryin' me mighty hard" he NUT
tered, as he swung can of glycerine care
lessly from the box.
1t was not long until the torpedo was at
the bottom of the deep well, and then
Jockey Todd picked up the three-cornered
weight. 'sI'd like to drop this on Grips
head" he said, between his clinched teeth,
as he stood over the casing through which
the oil was soon to spout
"Now git!' he said to the men employed
on the lease, who were standing in the der
rick. They fed, and he dropped the 'sgo-
devil' into the casing. He heard it strike
the petroleum, and a second later sound
like the swapping of a apercussion-cap reached
him. Then he ran from the derrick floor.
He was only a few PAGES from it when a
column of oil shot over the top of the der
rick.
He was always proud of a successful shot,
and a quick response on the part of the well,
but this time his pleasure was momentary.
As he turned to look at the flow, something
flashed in the sunlight. He shut his eyes
quickly, but not soon enough to avoid see
ing Grip Jervis lying under some low hang
ing bushes, and beside him the shell Jockey
Todd had brought to the well that morning.
He became angry and jumped on the box,
forgetting his reel. He took up the lines
and spoke to the bays. They started off at
rapid gait, and he let them go. The sur
face Of the road was soft and muddy, and
there were many deep ruts. Into one OF
these front wheel sank, and he went out
on his shoulder into puddle. The horses
ran on, passed the Jervis home. and dashed
into Hartford
Leora saw them and the empty wagon.
and her heart stood still. At last it had
come, and Grip would soon return with the
news of Hiram:s death. She stationed her
self at window from which she could sec
up the road. A great weight of dread op-
pressed her, and there was lump in her
throat, but she did not weep. She had al
ways prided herself that she was not zone
of the cryin' kind" Presently she uttered
a glad exclamation. She saw Jockey Todd
on the top of the little hill. He was walk
ing along rapidly, and she knew at once that
he was angry But she did not mind that,
and ran to meet him.
30, Pm so glad you're not hurt!" she
said, running into the middle of the muddy
road.
He was covered with mud and presented a
sorry appearance Leona's reaction of
spirits was so great that, unheeding the
scowl on his face, she laughed at him.
ssDo YOU think it's funnyl" he snarled.
'sIt wouldn't be if you had been hurt, ~
she replied, softly, as she looked fondly upon
him.
This, however, did not appease him.
irThat brother of yours was the cause of
it Pm comm to see him tonight"
Her smile faded and her face grew pale
With trembling lips she asked:
ssAre you comm alone!"
ssDo you think I'd bring anybody
sI don't think you'll find Grip.''
1 will if you've got confidence in me-"
.sWen, wnat if have?"
'sYou won't tell Grip I'm comm for sup
per-"
They had been standing in the mud in the
middle of the road, but both were SO earnest
that neither-thought of the ludicrous side of
the situation. She looked steadily at him
for moment after his declaration that he
meant to come for supper. Had he canght
her hand and held it, or attempted to coax
her, she would have doubted him, and would
have said that she would tell Grip to expect
him. But she saw he was still angry aud
was asking no favors, although he was de-
termined to meet Grip if possible.
ssWell," she said, deliberately. 'sif you
come you needn't be surprised to find plates
only for two"
ssThat IL be enough, if they're for Grip
and me-"
With that he left her and went splashing
through the mud toward Hartford.
Leona was angry, thoroughly SO, and
called after him: 81 s'pose you'll change
your clothes, and come in your Sunday suit.
If you and Grip eat together, you might
need your good clothes to be buried in"
Leona had a high temper, and when it was
aroused her tongue was reckless.
Jockey Todd did not reply nor look
around. Ieona returned to the house,