, 1889-03-07
UTE BILLS PARTNER.

sy the name of RiVcTs-Stanlcv Rivers,
he Said-who at once proceeded to erect
= cabin for himself. This completed, he
kept well within its walls when not aC-
taaHy engaged in prospecting He To-
Gated his claim and went about it rs
readily as an old miner.
The little town of Colorado Springs,
four miles distant, was often visited by
the miners when they had accumulated
little dust, but Rivers had never ac-
comPanied them on these occasional
sprees, although they had often urged
him to do so.
"A man In mining camp who does not
drink is considered, as q general thing,
beneath the notice of the average miner,
but it was not so in this case. Here he
had the confidence and respect of the
rough men gathered around him, and,
by his gentle ways, boyish face and
pleading blue eyes, had won every man
over TO his sido.
They no longer urged him to so with
tAem; they went, and respected him.
There was not 4 man in all the camps
around who would not have taken the
part OF the "tenderfoot," as they jocu-
1arly called him. And not only that, he
knew IL.
His past was q blank, and he mildly
resented all efforts TO reveal it. On one
occasion Ute Bill had pressed him too
closely on the subject, and he reproved
him by saying
bill, l think you are a friend of
mine. but l would rather have you
throw me down that shaft of yours than
ask me TO tell you my past life. 1t is
too painful"
II tho boys could have seen Bill then;
n thoy could have looked upon him as
kn ~ oh IL
pale looking young man; he, who had
killed his man; this Indian chewer, -
who had come ont ahead in hand to
hand fight with bear; this same Ute
Bill, who figured as a desperate in the
country round for hundred miles,
they would have wondered if he had
suddenly taken leave Of his senses.
But they were alone, and in an hum.
bic voice he said:
BEG yer pardon, Mister Rivers, ]
sidnt mean to hurt yer feelin's. 1 hev
kinder taken a iken to ye, sort OF
fatherly interest. and if ye say the word
we'll be pards."
The word was said, and great was the
surprise in camp when the new partner.
ship was announced the next day What
had come over Bill? Was he going to
reform: IL was a seven days wonder,
but gradually died away until it was no
longer an attraction to see Bills six feet
or muscle and Drawn towering head and
shoulders above his delicate looking
pard" aS they prospected the country.
One day in their wanderings they
found they had nearly reached the sum
init OF the grand old peak at whose base
flowed the waters of the San Juan creek,
when Bill suddenly uttered an exclama-
ton OF amaZement.
'Look here, pard. we've struck it this
time; chunks of it!''
Rivers, who had been patiently clip
ping specimens Off the ledgeS which jut-
ted out hero and there, hastened to his
side and looked. Bill had piece of
dark looking rock in his hand, and was
turning it excitedly over and over, his
eyes glowing like stars in his intense ex-
citement.
The news spread like wildfire through
the camp. All the miners were half
crazy ever the find, and deserted their
old claims to search for new ones. There
was no doubt of the vast wealth that
lay in the mine which Bill and Rivers had
opened. 1t was q settled fact that the
men had more money than they could
ever realize beaming down ON them as
the mining ore should be turned out.
AS the two men were lying on their
rough beds in tho little cottage they
talked OF the future and its grand pros,
poets. Bill was full of enthusiasm, and
pictured in glowing terms his highest
ambitions, to be realized when he should
count his thousands.
He would be a congressman. What
thrilling speeches he would mako. He
would have every word of them printed
in the newspapers. He would own Q
fast horse, and the 'boys" should have
all the drinks they wanted; they should
not go dry while he was ON top of sod
And he stopped suddenly and looked at
his companion.
"What's yer lead, ole pard? VIII yel
got III"
For a moment Rivers was silent.
'n dare not think what disposition
shall make of it. will probably go bach
east. My plans are not definitely set.
tied" )" he finally answered So the sub
iect was dropped.
Bill knew the quiet, retiring man al
his side well enough to know all inquiries
to be fruitless. So he turned over, and
after few more words about the work
Of the morrow, he fell asleep.
When the morning dawned Bill was
at Inst Bill thought he had better awaken
him. As he shook him in his rough way
he noticed the bright spots on Rivers
cheeks and his short, irregular breathing.
at is all right now, Lillian" muir.
INJURED the sick man, tossing uneasily;
"it's all right now. I've got the money
20 keep you where you should be-" Sc
tenderly, pathetically came the word:
that the rough miner brushed away the
tears as nc listened to the hidden story OF
his "pard's" past life. He told it all il
his delirium, and seemed to live the long
years over; how he had loved this deli
cato girl, reared in luxury and ease
and when he lost the fortune he had 81
slowly accumulated he dared not tell hel
of his love. He would not ask her Il
share his poverty and hartlships. Ht
had come away and staEed his life anC
love in the search for gold, and found it
Yes, Eow he could clasp her slender hand
In his and give her all the riches hC
possessed in return. Over and over agar
he called her name.
Bill softly stroked the brown hail
from his forehead, and as he did SO Riv
ers said: ait is SO soft-her little hand
IL rests me to feel it on my head" AnC
he lapsed again into restless sleep,
''Durn that big pawW said Bill, look
Ing at his rough, brawny hand, and ther
ct the white forehead on Ethe pillow
sand ther amt woman's hand in the
camp to fix things easy for him. II
give the hull bizness if he was only ou
Of this Aauss-"
But before two hours had elapsed
there was doctor from Colorado Spring:
bending over the sick man, and by tht
bedside sat pale, slender girl, watching
with intense interest every motion anc
word of the patient, and soothing hin
with her little hands holding his. She
eamo with the doctor. Bill stood insid;
tho door, and looked like a bashful
schoolboy in the presence of this stran-
ger, who seemed to be taking his place
and caring for Rivers when he ought to
be doing so. But he asked no questions,
and waited for the doctors answer.
Just keep the camp quiet, Bill. and
Miss Lancaster will give the medicine
and sec 20 the rest. He is worn out with
excitement, and little quiet. with good
nursing, will make things right. If the
fever is no better in six hours let me
know" And that was all the explana-
iion Bill got from the doctor.
Was sho n professional nursel Bli
gic-sed ~. And BE- thought h0w nice it
~ouid h. u he could b. sick whsn Rivers
Eot sell
..as s..sa