The morning call., 1893-05-21

Fiddlet0wn. She was the continual recip-
lent of quail, grouse, venison and such
other luXuries as the neighboring hills
afforded; and books, magazines and news
papers were brought to her daily by
bearded men, delighted at the opportunity
of exchanging them for smiling thank
YOU and glance at her fair face. In the
hope of catching glimpse of her many of
the younger of her worShipers went half
mile out OF their way in going to and from
their work, and all the trails in the neigh
borhood seemed to be DETECTED toward her
cabin by an Irresistible gravitating force.
She was somewhat familiar With
mining processes. and could pan
out"-that Is, separate the gold from
pan of gravel--with considerable skill.
Hence. in passing the claims OF mining
acquaintances she was almost invariably
requested to test her luck with 4 pan OF
gravel. If she consented the earth was
taken from the richest part OF the ground,
and sometimes an ounce or two OF dust
from the pocket of the enraptured miner
was secretly added to the gravel to swell
the return, which il was expected that she
wUuld regard as her own. whatever might
be the amount.
Some. but not all, of her ceansed
personal apparel could be safely en-
trusted to the clothes. line over night.
There were few coveted articles of the
attire which her admirers would have
stolen If opportunity offered, and for
which she was compelled to find drying
accommodation within doors.
Both Ireton and Bingham were frequent
visitors at the little cabin. and We're among
the half-dozen or more who had offered
marriage to the captivating widow wi hin
the first thirty days of her soiOurn at Fid-
dletown. To none of them had she gwen
especial favor or encouragement. always
declaring that she felt it her duty to remain
with her brother In California. and return
n ha
answer was proper. perhaps, but not quite
correct. Dismissing all other proposals
from her MIND, sne had concluded to
marry either 1reton or Bingham. Both
were ardent, both pleased her, and both
made extravagant promises of what they
she should not have hesitated fnr
moment, but she did. Although reputed
TO be wealthy, Bingham was gambler TO
whom honor was meaningless phrase.
while lreton was manly and generous
spendthrift without dangerous vices.
Wheelock preferred that his sister should
not marry, but an experience of year or
more had convinced him that it would be
difficult for her to remain single IN the face
| of incessant matrimonial proposals. many
| of them from men of exceptional eligi-
| bilitv; and perceiving a disposition on her
part TO accept either Bingham or Ireton,
! ne endeavored to exercise his influence
mildly iu favor of the latter As might
| have been expected, her liking for BlHg-
! ham increased with the gradual develop
ment of her brothers opposition to him :;
and when her gambling adorer, fearful of
the success of 1reton, whom he recognized
| as dangerous rival, throw himself at her
| feet and offered to place $4,000 in her
hands on the day of their marriage. she
! thought seriously of yielding, and he left
her with the impression that point hau
| been scored in his favor. In fact. she had
/ II, 4. .-If n
narrow escape moved her to a consider
| alton of certain traits in Bingham S
character not quite favorable to him.
The next day Ireton, honest in purpose
and sincere IN his attachment, found Occa-
sion to renew his suit In view OF Bing-
hams persistent and apparently welcome
attention to the charming widow he re-
solved upon definite determination of
his fate. He did not crawl at her feet.
but stood up in manly way and repeated
the hope that she would become his wife.
He admitted that he had led rowing and
mprovldent life, but declared that her
love would stimulate him tn better en-
deavur, and that he felt sure of being a BILE
TO place her beyond the reach of want.
He spoke from his heart, ana she admired
| him for his frankness and Sincerity-so
much 10 that had he been the possessor of
no more than $4,000 she felt that she
might feel warranted in entrusting her fu-
ture to him. But. with his habits of ex-
travagance, would be ever be able to ac-
cumulate such a sum? She thought it
doubtful; so she half laughingly promised
| to become his wife whenever he exhibited
| 10 her in his own possession $40, 600 in gold.
That's bargain" said Jack. enthusi.
astieally. There's twice that amount in
my claim down the creek, and I'll put force
enough 70 work 10 WASH il out before the
holidays"
She was almost betrayed into tire re-
/ f \. Al.
pressed it. Jack reached for kiss. but
she adroitly folled him by slipping out of
the room and laughing at him through the
doorway.