The morning call., 1892-05-16
AFTER TWENTY YEARS.

and I've waited now lot ~ years an" an
had no reward and I'm tired-nobody knows
how Ired-of it all, and am goin' to throw
away fortin' at last Jest for a scruple that
nobody else hereabouts 'ud hey? Not
mucbl IN do It'll Tha: young chaps
bound 10 bey his eye teeth cut anyway
MAYS we'll be me to benefit by his iooiIsh-
ness as arv other man; and how do know
the lead amt thar just waitin' to be struekF
II would be nv luck to hev it that way.
wonder now if l hadn't better give 1t an
other whack?"
Hank Wilson swung his pick as he stood
In the narrow drift, staring sOmberly al the
rocky wall. HopeleSsneSS and despair had
tugged at his heartstrDgs for many long
dav: but now, when he saw a way out Of
his difficulties, and a return OF the hardly
earned money he had sunk, some part OF
the delusion which had luTed him on took
hold Of him again.
The hidden treasures Of the mine seemed
like realities waiting within his grasp. But
he let the pick fall, with sigh
How may years had ne chased that
ignis fatuus without result? No, IL would
he useless tC look for anything but dlsap-
pOiDtment following upon disappointment,
till reckleSsness and desperation should
drive him 20 suicide.
ave been near enough 10 that ar point
afore this and / amt coaXin' to put bull
hack the money that I've put into the mine
from first 10 last, and III not stick him Tor
dollar more. Chance for him TO sink the
rest he's got, 1 reckon" Grimly; but l
dunno as that's airy concern OF nine. ii
do itP' once more, with all the lines Oh MS
rough face hardening.
That he was sitting some Tangs Of con-
science was evident enough, but what 1T
was there was nothing in his manner to H.
dictate when he net the w0uld-be purchaser
next morning.
'You kin 60 through the mine and do just
as you like arterward. You know my
price and If SEEM amt helievin' l haven't
another word TO say, only bein' new-mebbe
green about mines-yOu'd better hev an eX
DerIenced miner to give his opinion. l
don't want YOU 10 say that I took yon in"
II can rely upon my own Judgment,
think" responded Martin Lake, with
smile. Il will confess, however, that am
not going altogether upon my own book
knowledge. l have a friend who has an
old acquaintance with the property. 1t
was Vinbender's description Of il that made
me anxious to see and to buy, provided II
has developed according 70 promise"
'VinbendeT! Did he send YOU here?"
''Nut exactly. In fact. don't believe he
had any idea Of the effect which his talk
left with me, and it was not until l had
studied up the locality for myself that de-
cided to make my investment Ia this neigh
bOThOOd."
Without further words the grizzled old
miner led the way through the tunnel
which his own individual labor had thrust
far into the r0ck-ribbed mountain side.
His light flashed upon the walls, showing
specks and seams that Tiveted the gaze OF
his companion and brought delighted ex-
elamation to his lips.
IF seeing is believing, as you said mo-
ment ago. l ought to close the bargain right
now But will you excuse me III / ask why
You wish to sell out with ore Ike that Ia
sight and better in pTOSpectW
cit is a material question for you to ask,
but / amt a lucky man. Things never pan
out accOrdn' 10 promise With me. I'm
afeared 10 trust TO signs any more, and Pm
giitin' old and want to 60 back to parts 1
come from. It's II years since l Teckoued
50 90 hack, and that's long enough 10 wait"
81 should say so. II ! thought | should
be kept here II years But, you see. It's
different with NE. There is somebody
waiting for my return" with conscious
laugh and flush of his boyish face.
The old miner stared down at MS coarse
boots, and worked his lips neryOUsly.
With his knifeblade Luke was DTying ont
bits Of yellow metal which had attracted
him, and weighing them IN his hand as he
walked from point to point.
"lhis would make VlabendeT's eyes stick
out think. ] dOu't feel as II it is quite
square to you taking the mine at your price
considering the outlook. l am willing to
give you a percentage Of the working
profits and I'd ike partner with practical
Experience. II ali goes well shan't want
70 live In the mountains alWays-n0t after
year or two, likely. We could sell out at
the end OF that time to advantage, thlnk."
i've had enough OF It,
But to oblige me and the girl l left
behind me! ii you had left a sweetheart
you would know how l feel. or course you
didn't, to stay so long. l believe her father
thinks he has set an impossible task for
me-" growing confidential "He is rich, you
see, and won't give her to any one who
can't provide for her In the style she is used
n. Kitty would't mind. God bless her! but
know be is right, and l am bound TO sue
eeed."
Grizzled Hank Wilson moved uneasily.
II knowed a girl once named Kitty" he
showed, in shamefaced way.
"0n, there are many Kitles, but only
one KITTY Bunce Would you like to see
her picture? Good to look at. isn't she
know Pm soft, but it isn't much wonder,
for there is no one like her. nor half equal
to her, nor ever can be Tor me, and il l lost
her. But l won't lose hersfor she has
promised to wait, and II there were 10 other
fellows instead of one I'd know l could
trust her. rhere'd BE- 10 readily enough il
she gave them any encouragement Well,
Pil take the mine I've seen enough to de-
eide me on that"
He held out his hand for the photograph,
but Hank Wilson had lost sight Of mine
aud time a. he looked down upon the smil-
ing girlish face.
tits my Kitty-the moral OF ber-0vel
again. Wizard you come from, young man
Quenasset? | knOwed 1t Put it thar. But
you mistOGk about one thing; thar wal
another Kitty Bunce 20 years ago. She's
married, / TeckOn-Or dead, maybe; and
yet she promised, like this Kitty of yours,
20 wait for me- OF course. she amt done
IT, 'Tain't my fault or hern. But l was
meanin' to go back aud see"
"And you'll find her, for II IS Aunt Catty,
Of course. That's what the young ones
call her, and that's why she was always Sc
good to Kitty and me- Why, it's like q
book. All we have got TO do is to make oul
fortunes and go back and live happy for
ever after"
He laughed, but over Hank Wilson'S
rough, bearded face fell sudden shadow
"All! Look here, boy, l nut up job on
you. l salted the mine. was sick and
tired wOTkin' without pay and without pros
poets. It's 20 years since l started out 4
hunt my fartin', and I'm furdeT off from il
now than ever. l saw the chance to shut
your eyes and get my money back
but / amt got the nerve to Spot
your life like mine has been spoiled
Go back TO your Kitty. Clerk in
store or 90 TO work on a farm. but let mine
alone. 'Tain't one in hundred that eve
makes ANYTHING out Of them. Aunt Catty
you call her? And she waited for me anC
Is waiting yet? Well. that is something t
remember. Tel! her for me that it's for tn
sake of old times that l sent YOU back
But you will come, tOO?" asked Lake
dOubtiully, as he thought Of Aunt Catty
slim, fair and pretty still in spite of her 4
years.
"No," said Hank. 81 amt made the for
tin, and amt likely 20 make it now. In
not what ! was. neither. I've growed rough
I've forgot my manners and my learning
such as l had. If I'd ever found the gol,
I'd heY tried TO spruce up, but now IT'S to-
late. You go back aud set up bushes
with the money you meant to put in tn
mine, and If ever ! strike it rich I'll remem
Der you and your Kitty"
IL was good advice, but Martin LAX