The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-21
IN DISASTER VALLEY.
BY WALLACE P. REED.

~ hoo Ill Ou1 VI IIS way pittCO lOi q ielShJ
but Blount had taken a fancy to it, and his
Pretty wife had cheerfully given up the
pleasures and comforts OF town life to go with
him into the most desolate part of Nevada.
Myra Blount stood on the piazza watching
the well-known figure coming up from the
Road 1t was twilight, but she could distinct
iy see her husbands features, and at distance
of fifty yards it was easy for her to see that
something had gone wrong The shambling
step and the bowed head told the whole story.
owe have lest the case," she said to herself.
Then, as her husband came up the steps, she
went forward and kissed him.
Bad news, I am afraid she said.
DYES said Jack hoarsely. eve have lost,
end we are ruined"
The little woman felt choking sensation in
her throat, and she could not say word.
"Uttery ruined,'' Jack continued. 81 was
swindled by bogus title, and the claimant
made ont clear case. 1t did not take the
jury five minutes to give verdict"
"Then we must move?''
eyes, and in very few days. The judg-
ment swallowed up everything, land, stock,
improvements and all. And even then 1 will
not be out of debt"
"Why, Jack, are we to be left here in the
wilderness, stripped of everything?"
eyes, we are penniless"
The young wife gave great sob, and leaned
her head on Jacks shoulder.
'"Dont mind my tears" she said, "they are
Cor you"
Her husband patted her on the head, but he
could not force smile.
can old miner stopped here a little while
ago." said Myra. "He was tired and sick, and
4 showed him to our spare room and told him
that he could stay until he was strong enough
TO trayel."
"What kind of fellow is hep asked Jack
Sndifferently.
ole is very old and feeble. He said that he
was on his way east from the mines, and that
he had large quantity of gold dust, some mug
gets, and some diamonds that he had bought
In San Francisco. He was very talkative.'
81 wish had his treasure" muttered Jack
Eloomiy.
A fiery gleam flashed into Myra's blue eyes,
and then she compressed her white lips
closely.
''Diamonds," said Jack, "he bought them,
no doubt, because they are easier to carry than
the gold Well, wish him joy"
= "Supper is ready, Jack"
"Not any for me. am sick at heart, and
am going to bed to sleep off my trouble, if /
can. You may sit up as long as you like"
Blount left his wife on the piazza and went
etraightway to bed.
This is more than can BEAR" murmured
Myra. when she was left alone. And, just to
think OF it! There is fortune under this
goof, and it could be ours''
The woman sat down on the steps. and
looked vacantly into the gathering darkness.
Gradually all the noise and hustle of the
herders and the cattle in the distance died
away, and the stiffness of death brooded over
the ranch.
1t was after midnight and still Myra re-
manned on the piazza struggling with the
greatest temptation of her life.
1t was nearly morning when Jack Blount
was awakened by nervous touch.
Opening his eyes, he saw his wife standing
over him with candle in her hand.
"What is the matter, Myra?" he exclaimed,
fWhy do you look so white?''
'Thc old miner she gasped
"Any trouble? 2" asked Jack.
"Hes dead" she whispered.
'Dead! Great God, this is very sudden.
How did you find it out? 1 will go to his
room and see"
Bloun: rushed off to the old mans room.
In five minutes he returned with a strange
expression Oh his face
'Myra, he said, 81 do not understand this
Where is the old mans treasure? Did he
geally have any or has he been robbed?"
'Here!" cried his wife, triumphantly. II
brought it out of the room with me,' and she
handed her husband heavy buckskin belt.
"But, this does not look well on our part
Everything in the room should have been left
undisturbed until we could send off for wit
nesses 70 assist us in searching for this mans
effects
"Oh, Jack! Surely, now, the money and
diamonds belong to us?"
Blount looked down at the woman with
stern expression, and his whole face was
transformed.
"Thcre is another thing" he continued, 81
saw the marks of fingers on the dead mans
throat. Myra, he was stranged in his sleep"
The woman's lips moved, but she could not
speak, ana her eyes sought the floor.
"Myra, how did you discover his death"
81 heard noise in his room, and stepped to
the door 10 see what was the matter"
CHOW is it that you are fully dressed? You
have not been in bed at all tonight"
Nyra sank into a chair and sobbed.
Blount left the room, and took another look
at the dead miner.
When he returned his face was whittier than
his wiie's. lie held in lis hand breastpin
81 found this by the dead mans side," he
said "Now will you explain all this?"
"Jack! Jack" shrieked the distracted
woman at was all for your sake. 1 heard
you wish for his gold. And he was so old and
ugly, and knew his fortune would save you
from rum swear 70 you.
Enough" shouted Blount, leone with me-
I know my duty"
Myra looked at him, but she saw no pity in
his face. Without word she followed him
out into the moonlight.
"Follow mel"
In obedience to the stern command, the
Irembliugwiie followed her husbands lead.
They walked beyond the borders of the
Tanch through the woods and over the hills.
AN ho1r passed By, and s;ill there was no halt
The gray light Of morning spread over the
scene, but tho silent march continued.
"Mcrcyl You are taking me to Disaster
Valley" cried Myra.
They stood on tho brow Of range Of hills
slipping down into a valley.
The valley was known far and wide as the
Valley Of Death and as Disaster Valley
Down in its depths noxious gases were con-
gtsntly rising and every living thing that Gu
terod the place siekened ard died.
Not a tree or shrub OF blade Of grass could