Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1890-09-04

oh"n oial Gun claim That as her
motto, he gritted bitterly and broke from
.ne snahty" leaving Andy to stare after
him with mingled pity and surprise.
Inc sun was hidden by the western hills
before the young mans foot again crossed
tne threshold. Andy Cobb met him with
outstretched arms and a countenance per-
feetly radiant with joy.
"Sech newsl' he exclaimed eagerly "Ed
my boy, you'd never guess it in the worldp'
If it's good news it will keep, respond
ed Brundige grimly. "Mynews must come
first. 1t is easily told"
He leaned against the doorway and
glanced sadly around the little kitchen.
This is our last night at the old place.
he half sobbed. "rhe Busted Hopes is
sold and we are homeless"
Cobb staggered as though under a heavy
blow, but love and confidence, that nothing
could shatter, yet illuminated the face
framed in by the unkempt, tawny beard.
well, Ed, is that al?'
Listen! The All Wool and Three Ply
have consolidated. and their agent ap-
preached me on the subject of selling our
claim. He asked me If had power to act
for the firm and If would name figure"
We'll, old boy, of course you told him
that
Il was worried-never mind by what
and his talk angered me. Said l: MY dear
sir, my partner, Mr.. Cobb, has intrusted
me with full power in the premises. The
Busted Hopes" is for sale for $50 600; not
a dollar less"
Even in his excitement Andy Cobb man.
aged to telegraph a restraining signal to
some one-out of sight from Brundiges
standpoint-in the little bedroom and par
lor
"Well, my ladp'
Brundige sighed YEARLY. "There is
nothing further. Only the offer was COB
bled with a celebrity that showed how badly
the property WAS wanted. 1t seems they
are confident that our old claim is future
bonanza-the richest in the hills. could
have sold for $4,000 easily if had not been
such fool However, it was my offer, and
l know you will let it stand"
No need Of the implied query. Under no
circumstances would Andy Cobb question
the wisdom of any of the lads" proceed
ings, and least of all at such time Brun-
dige had told his news, and now-what a
glorious thoughtl-the wondrous secret
was to be revealed-the magic secret whose
potency could even dim the unexpected
light of coming wealth and happiness cast
athwart the miners weary life.
ED, dear OF boy" The CHEEKY voice
trembled just little, but it was with re-
pressed joy. when spoke this mornin'
of my own hopes didn't know how nearly
they was realized"
you have heard from herr"
"Man alive, have seen her! Better than
that, she is here this minute! Better than
that, she didn't come alonel''
Perhaps Brundige paid no heed to the
last sentence. A graceful female figure
had appeared at the inner door, kindly
featured, blonde lady of middle age, whose
years had matured rather than robbed her
Of her beauty. With an unconscious re-
turn to the old gallantry of other days
Brundige lifted his hat and acknowledged
Andy's laundering introduction. Molly,
dear, this is Ed, you know, the best Teller
In the world, always exceptin' yourself"
"Molly's" reply was heard, but hardly
understood, for Brundige had become
aware that the gray eyes were not resting
upon his face, but cast with tender SYM
pathy at some one beyond, standing be-
hind him in the doorway.
Suddenly the riddle was solved. Two
plump arms, muslin clad and circled with
golden bands, were tightly twined about
tresses lay upon his breast in marked con-
trast to the dirty scarlet of his flannel
shirt; while rich, pouting lips that had
once granted him kisses as an empress
might bestow her most precious Jewels,
now pleaded pitifully for kind word.
ed darling Ed have come so far to
find you. Please say that | may stay.
Don't drive me away, deare'
Drive her awayi Great heavens. As
though a man, dying with thirst, would |
dish the proffered goblet TO the dust; or
soul on the verge Of Paradise voluntari- |
ly descend to the lowest pit of Hadesl AZ |
terward he found time to laugh at the bare
idea of such a contingency; just now there |
was no time for such thoughts.
dearest loved one, tell me how this
can be! How did you find meS" he asked,
after mutual explanations had cleared
away the last cobweb of doubt in which
enemies had hoped to fetter their
lives.
"All OWN to this bright little wife of
NINE" began Andy, when Brundige sud
denly called him to a halt.
"Your wifel You don't mean to say that
y gu have"
Eyes, | do, though" persisted Cobb.
I'VE called in at Squire Billings an had
the knot tied first thing. But"
Hold on again." interrupted Brundige.
Il like that idea Of yours. Suppose you
run down and tell the squire to walk up
this way few minutes"
Cobb and his wife exchanged glances.
'The fact is, Ed, my boy" remarked the
newly made Benedict at length, las Molly
has engin, red this scheme all the way ..
through, bein' friend to your little girl {
here. an buildin' up the hull business on '
ny reference to you in one Of my letters, ..
why 1 Jest thought I'd let her go ahead
with the affair in her own way. So far a
we're all satisfied. I'll bet my undivided
,alf interest in the fifty thousand on that.
And as Mrs. Cobb has invited Squire Bill J
ings to call around ter night ut early can
Height, move that the old proprietors Of
he Busted Hopes celebrate their last
right in the shanty by gittin supper in tho $
ordinary way, with the usual accompani- :
nents Of q regular meal, sech as fried I
oeches, an chunks of mud in the gravy, Z
In'"-
But with a celebrity Of movement that 4