Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-05-07
FRANKS MISTAKE.


men in their twenties; both moderately
well to do and both quite handsome.
Before coming to Kansas Frank and
Zeke had met young lady who was at
tending school in their home town in Ohio.
The young lady's name was Grayson, and
as she was both beautiful and accom-
plished the young men fell desperately in
love with her For several weeks they
each paid attentions to her, and though
she treated them both kindly it soon be-
came apparent that she had decided pref
erence for Frank.
Then the young men came west with
their small capital and started themselves
in business, and during the year their store
had been in existence they had done well.
One night after the trade was over and
the customers had gone away Frank said:
81 received some welcome news today"
what is its' Zeke asked.
II have a letter from certain little girl /
you know who-and she says she is com |
ing out to this part of the country to live" |
"WhatP Zeke exclaimed. Miss Gray
son coming herep
That's just what she writes in her let
ter" Frank replied Says her father IS
somewhere in this section now looking up
a claim. and as soon as he gets located and
puts up a house she and the balance Of the
family will come to him. So | suppose
they'll be here against fall"
There was sad, troubled look in Zeke's
face. and for little while he gazed silent
" at the floor. 1t was plain the subject
was not a pleasant one to him and that
sore spot in his heart had been touched.
But finally be spoke in quiet, steady
voice, saying:
That is welcome news to you, Frank,
surely, and congratulate you"
81 think | have reason to be congratu-
lated, Zeke," said Frank. Alice is a
woman to be proud of, and | know she
loves me-"
Eyes, | think she does" replied Zeke.
Pm certain of it. Has she-ever"-
Ever WHAT" Frank questioned, seeing
that Zeke was not going on
Ever promised to marry you|
Moo, not exactly" Frank admitted;
.sbut Pm sure it's all right. / don't think
she would come out here but for that"
"Perhaps not" said Zeke. "You will
HELM her father to get a claim, of course"
"Why, yes, I'll do what can for him.
But. aside from the river claim down
there. | can't figure out anything worth
having right near this The good land Is
all taken up except that one piece, and
want that myself"
But you have no right to it, Frank, ano
YOU can't hold it if some settler disputes
the matter with you"
II know that, but Pve held it year b!
'blufing' and I'll continue to hold it tina
way"
"wel, you wouldn't attempt to BLUM
Miss Graysons father, would you"
81 don't know. I'd like to accommodate
him for her sake, but I'd rather Keep tina
claim for her and myself"
Just at that moment the clatter or
horses feet was heard without and llttl
later a man rode up to the store and dl'
mounted. He was settler from the rive
district.
"Why, ke," said zeke. you're out lat
tonightp
yes" said the settler, rather lat
But | came after the doctor"
"Who's sick?" Frank asked.
81 don't know the man. He's strange
who squatted on the river claim To-Day.
was up the river this afternoon and rlulr
hack across the claim | saw covert
WAGON over by the timber. So | wei
down that way to see what it meant, ar
when | got there | found man in u
wagon down with malaria. He seemed
be in a bad fix, and l thought he ought
have doctor"
The doctor had gone out in the countr
but within a half hour he returned, al
Immediately he and Ike set off to visit t
squatter.
''Now, that beats the nation" FRA
said as soon as they were gone. Il wono
who the old chap is that's had the gall
squat on my claim"
81 don't know" said Zeke. u wonder
he's needy"
aAh. 1 suppose he is" replied Fra
coldly. "Those squatters are nearly
ways sick and needy"
81 suspect we should have gone DO
there with Ike and the doctor to see II tn
wasn't something we could do LOT
man" Zeke said. Like as not ne Is {
of provisions"
well let him be out" said Frank.
isn't my business to trot around feed
men who lump my claim. Pm going do
there tomorrow, but Pm not going TO
ouire about his health. Pm going to
him orders to move on as soon as he Is q
to drive
~ wouldn't do it, Frank. 1t isn't rig
You have no title to the claim, ana II I
man wants to enter it he mas rlgnI W
So"
"Ob. 30 far as the law is concerned
has right to it, OF course But I've
lected that claim and propose 10 nave
"Do Won think Alice Gayson would
dorse such an act as you PROPOSE ran
"why wouldn't sheS"
Suppose her father was similarly
ated and some one drove him OIL 10
think she would be pleasedr
Moo, suppose not. But that's
ferent thing"
mot a Bit of IL. It's Just the same th
oplv II would be a different OK that
pored. think Miss Grayson Is a consf