Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-09-22

nad picked up the baby, they found
man and a bear, locked in a deadly
embrace, a most deadly one, since
both were quite dead.
'tPOOr fellOWi he's been carrying
the child, and on the appearance of
Bruin, he has dropped it, and-and
as you see it has ended like this, even
as he felt death OverpOwering him he
has buried his knife in the bears
throat. He saved his child. But I
wonder who he is. and what he meant
by undertaking to walk along this
dangerous trail with child, and all
alone"
When the stage came in that after
noon on one of its tri-weekly trips,
the driver furnished further informa-
tion.
There is an abandoned wagon
back there at the foot of the mount
ain, and a dead horse. It's an old
rattle-trap and the horse must have
died of old age and exhaustion.
Apparently the father of this kid
has been attempting to reach this
place, but who he was or how he
came to be with a little thing like
that 1 cannot imagine. -
nothing was found save a little box
of clothing belonging to the baby
which they gladly took possession of.
''She belongs to the came, boys, s"
said Joe; ''we'll have to adopt her.
We ought to name the new mine af-
ter her, who knows but it WOULD be
lucky"
"We'll have to leave her in Billy's
care until some women folks move in.
l hear there are several families COM
ing in week or two. But the little
one belongs to the camp, remember
that, boys"
The baby throve in that rough but
kindly care, and if she had any favor
ties they were Joe and Billy.
"Seems as if she knew I'd saved
her." said Joe, hugging her close
while her little hands buried them
selves in his beard. ''Bless her dar-
ing little self, and she's brought good
luck to US all. for the Daisy Mine
promises to make Us all rich"
But when the next mail came in it
brought Joe letter that quite threw
the boys back into the land of dis
pOndency; it ran DIS follows:
fortunate brother died near your camp
some months ago. and left little child, for
which understand you have kindly cared
will be with you in a few days to claim my
little neice and TO thank you all personally.
LULU GRANGER.
"Oh'' gasped Joe, ''my baby! how
can give her up?" and one and all
of her rough friends offered a Wig
orous protest.
Mice I MIN Gro n0ar ,,rOvo6 IN ba n
little Eastern school marin and quite
sent to meet her to try to ''buy her
offs as he had put il.
abandon the child to strangersr'
exclaimed the new claimant, ''even
for a whole mine, l wouldn't. Pm
poor, and she will be a burden to me,
but she's mine, you understand. 1
thank you very much for all you have
done for her, and for your love, but you
will be compelled to part with her. 5"
Joe walked along at her side won
dering why she had to be so pretty
and so determined about little Daisy,
half wishing she had stayed away
and half wishing she hadn't.
''YOu see my poor brother and his
invalid wife started for the noun
tains for health and wealth; alas!
what journey it was. But even af-
ter the mother died, poor Charlie
pressed onward with the baby"
But when they reached the home of
Mrs Smith, who of late had been
taking care of the child, they found
her in tears.
sob, Mr.. Joe, don't look at me. Pm
that sorry! l only left her Just a
minute and-and she's gone. 1 know
you'll never forgive me, but I've
looked everywhere and 1 can't find
her."
SIS there a well-or anything?''
exclaimed her frightened aunt.
Joe looked disturbed but not fright
ened; a sudden conviction took pos
session Of him.
Gwen find her:some one has doubt
less seen her;she had too many friends
to get lost"
Yet search as they would no little
golden-haired Daisy was to be found
''Oh!" sobbed the aunt, 'tand she
is gone too, what dreadful, dread
full thing! came so far to find her,
1 have so little money 10 remain to
solve the mystery. Oh, dear, dear,
what shall dO?"
Joe and the young lady had become
very friendly during those few days
of search and sorrow.
He looked down upon her tenderly
and growing strangely red said
SOFTLY
''There is a way"
"a way! 1 do not understand. ="
'Marry me" said Joe bluntly. 'Pm
rich man, for the Daisy mine is a
tremendous success now. 1 love you.
love the baby. She wouldn't have
to be took away, you know. then"
'But she's lost, dead no doubt"
Indeed she's not said Joe sits
none of my work. never advised
such cruel trick. but I'm satisfied
if you marry me we could find her. -
The amazed young lady tried to
understand him, but failed only so