The morning call., 1891-09-28
THE PARTNERS.
BY Il. NJ. D.

Another month OF Sucn luck anu then lOE
he old home in the East, with richly lined
pockets"
So declared young miner to his partner
IS they sat together smoking, one evening
after hard days work upon their claim III
Bears Gulch, Colo.
True, Ralph, we've struck 1t about right;
With what we've already taken out and the
price which the mine will bring us when we
ee fit to sell, we shall have no fear of ever
coming to want. But, my friend, when we
separate shall turn my face to the west
ward. for can never again visit the Allan
tic States"
"Oh, come now, chum," went on his COM
uanion. 1--WE known you two years aud no
one could make me believe that you have
ever been guilty of any crime that should
cause You to shun civilization. It's some
owe affair, isn't il? Confess, old man
And the kiud-hearted Ralph Eastman
rising laid his hand stfectlonately upon the
others shoulder as he continued:
IL see how it is. The young lady, IN ut
Of piaue, rejected the man she should nave
been proud to call her husband. Aud that
foolish fellow, discouraged, came out mere
into the wilds to bury his sorrow while he
unearthed the gltterlng gold.
No? Am / wrong?" as Paul shook his
handsome head. Then maybe you soundly
fhrasLed some oficiOus brother who OBJ
jected to your paying addresses to his lovely
sister.
aWhatY Again mistaken? Now l have
il surely. Some audaeLoqs rival stroX W 10
win from you your promised bride. You,
IN fit Of Jealous anger, eSsayed TO sweep
him from your path"
"And l did, Ralph; I did," exclaimed
Paul, turning quickly. Il stretched MIN
iifeiess at my feet"
And then?" inquired Eastman.
fled. Fled from the officers OF the law
and the righteous condemnation Of the
woman | loved. For how could l again
meet my darling Gertrude with hands
stained by the blood of a fellow cfeature?D
Are you sure that you killed the man Z
Queried the more practical Ralpn.
How could | nave done otherwise? l
TODD so close that the powder from my pis-
toll must have burned his cheek. Then l
saw him fall. But, Ralph" hastily added
tic seIf-conlessed murderer, there are eX-
teuuating circumstances. Inc villain first
essay ed to take my life. His weapon WAS
The first discharged"
Then, old man, l say plainly, tina! you
must have lost your senses before YOU
skipped that part Of the country, for yours
was justihable act OF seli-detense."
"That would have been hard 10 prove, my
friend" returned Paul. but come, let US
talk no more Of it Tonight Let's bar the
door and take account OF stock. We have
teen intending to do that for some time
past"
Ralph's answer was to lift several small
canvas bags, which contained the united
fortunes of the two hen, from hole in one
corner of the hut and place them with
scales upon the table Two candles thrust
INTO tile necks Of bottles furnished light for
he miners rs they weighed out ounce after
ounce Of the precious metal
just as they were finishing the work a
knock was heard.
"WhO is there ?" quickly asked Ralph.
Zone who is in trouble and seeks assist
ance."
"Then have patience a moment and we
will see what can lie done TO help you" an
sYered the elder miner, as he hastily
gathered up the gold and replaced it in the
-trong box. When all traces Of their occu-
patton were removed Ralph drew his re-
yolver and approaching the door threw OF
the heavy bar and opened 1t.
As tile light from the candle streamed
forth into the darkness it fell upon young
lad, who was erUucning on the ground moan
ing with pain.
The miner thrust his weapon into place,
% and, 7rr17f--lita aid Of his partner, took their
youthful visitor into the cabin aud laid him
upon one OF the cots. The lad could not
have been over 10 years Of age, and il could
be seen by his pallid face that he was suf-
fering intensely.
What has happened to you, my little
man9"
My horse stumbled in the pass and threw
me. My ankle is hurt"
The kind-heaTted men carefully drew off
his boot aud stocking, when it was found
that the limb had already begun to swell.
I" It's sprain, think, Paul. Well bind
il up in cold water"
a mothers touch could not have been
gentler than was that Of the two friends as
they bandaged the wounded ankle.
ssTT lar nd fror ha
village so late?" inquired Ralph.
Il started out from the hotel long before
shutdown, and expected to be back before
dark. / am in search of q man named Paul
Chester who | was assured was working
somewhere in the guch. Perhaps YOU
know him, and will take message to him
frCm me, for l can go no further"
a quick glance passed between the two
partners, and Ralph answered: "lf l do
know him what word is it that you wish to
seEd himY
81 wish 10 tell him, sir" said the brave
lad, that my sister, Gertrude Lawrence. Is
at the hotel IN the town, and has come far
TO find him. She has news which know he
will be glad to hear"
News. boy? What is 1t? Speak quick
Typ said Ralph, eagerly. IF il be such as
will be pleasure to Paul Chester to hear l
will carry 1t to him az once, for he is my
friendP'
at is this" went on the youth; "the poor
man left his home under the impression
that he was murderer, but he is not. Tell
him he is not. Edward Jarrett. whom he
thought he had killed, is alive and is now
serving term in an Eastern penitentiary
Cor a crime he committed"
you hear that Pau? You hear that?"
questioned Ralph, turning to where his
partner had been standing. But he was
not there. Before the lad bad finished
speaking he had left the caOin and was
rushing hurriadIy nm the trail ha
town.
In rude yet comfortable apartment in
the miners hotel sat Gertrude Lawrence
impatienty awaiting her brothers return.
What can be OBTAINING ArthurY she
murmured to herself. PERHAPS the way
VAS longer than he thought, and he is wait
ing for daylight"
As the young woman was about to lay
down the book which she had been reading
the door suddenly opened and tall, beard
ed man stood before her The maiden ut
tered scream of surprise, but the next mo-
ment she was clasped In the fervent en- brace
of Paul Chester, the one whom she had
loved for years.
Paul! Paulp she exclaimed. "Have l
found you at lastP"
Yes, my darling And you have brought
the welcome news that l am not guilty Of
that crime"
" II is true, it Is true"
joyful were the hearts in Bears Gulch
the following morning, and the parson of
the little mining camp was called upon to
perform the happy task of uniting in mar
rage Paul Chester ana Gertrude Lawrence.
The partners were now rich, and when
they divided the result of their months OF
labor, Ralph Eastman took one Of the filled
canvas bags that had fallen to his share and
thTewit into the lap of his comrades wife,
saying:
That is a present TO the bride of my
partner, as true man as ever swung pick
or rocked cradle. Boston Globe.