Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-01
From London Society.

ekH their adjective with a
~Nht-E- forcible expletive which
m X0S emphasized their crlti-
VSAS cism. Abe. however,
stolid and easy
going man, whose
mind the remarks Of an unappreciative public
made but little impression. He had built the
house himself, and it suited both himself and
his partner and what more did they want?
There was only one man inside the hut. and
that was the proprietor, Abe burton himself
or Bones, as he had been christened with
the rude heraldry OF the camp. He was sitting
in front of the great wood fire, gazing moodily
into its glowing depths, and occasionally giving
fagot kick OF remonstrance when it showed
any indication of dying into shoulder. His
fair Saxon face. with its bold, honest ewes and
crisp yellow beard. stood out sharp and clear
against the darkness as the Pickering light
PLAYED over II. 1t was manly, resolute coun-
tenance. and vet the physiognomist might have
detected something in the lines Of the mouth
which showed weakness somewhere. an indie
clsion which contrasted strangely with his her
culean shoulders and massive limbs.
1.-The Boss is late tonight, he muttered as he
rose from his chair and stretched himself in
colossal yawn. my stars, how 1t does rain and
blow. Don't it. Blinky?'' Blinky was de-
mure and meditative owl. whose comfort and
welfare were chronic subject of solicitude to
us inaster. anu VINO at present contemplated
him gravely from of the rafters
Abe was still talking when the rough door
was flung open and binding cloud of sieet
and ram came driving INFO the cabin. almost
obscuring for the moment a young man who
sprang in and proceeded to bar the entrance be-
hind him. an operation which the force Of the
wind rendered no easy matter
WELL, he said in slightly peevish voice,
haven you got any supper?'
waiting and ready said his companion
cheerily. nointing to large pot which dubbed
BY the side of the fire. "You seem sort of
damp
Damp be hanged! I'm soaked, man-thor-
oughly saturated. It's night that wouldn't
have a dog out. at least not a dog that had any
respect for. Hand over that dry coat from the
peg.
Jack Morgan, or Boss, as he was usually
called. belonged to type which was commoner
In the mines during the flush times Of the first
great rush than would be supposed. He was q
man of good blood. literally educated and a
graduate OF an English university. Boss should.
In the natural course of things. have been an
energetic curate or struggling professional
man had not some latent traits cropped out in
his character. inherited possibly from old Sir
Henry Morgan, who had founded the family
with Spanish pieces OF eight galantlv won upon
the high seas. 1t was this wild strain of blood
no doubt which had caused him to drop from
the bed room window of the ivy-c,ad English
parsonage and leave home and friends behind
him to try his luck with pick and shovel in the
Australian fields. In spite of his effeminate
face and dainty manners the rough dwellers in
Harveys Slulce had gradually learned that the
little man was possessed of a cool courage and
untiinching resolution. which won respect in a
community where pluck was looked upon as the
highest OF human attributes. No one ever knew
how it was that Bones and he had become part
ners: vet partners they were. and the large,
simple nature of the stronger man looked with
an almost superstitious reverence upon the
clear. decisive mind of his companion.
THAT better" said the Boss. as he dropped
into the vacant chair before the fire and watched
Abe LAYING out the two metal plates Come
here and sit down"
His gigantic partner came meekly over and
perched himself upon the top of q barrel
'What's up?" he asked.
"Shares are up" said mis- companion. 'Thats
what's up. Look here" and he extracted
crumpled paper from the pocket Of the steam
ing coat Here's the Buckhurst Sentinel
Read this article-this one here about paying
lead in the Conema-a mine. We hold pretty
heavily in that concern, my boy. We might
sell out and clear something-but think well
hold on"
Abe burton in the meantime was laboriouslv
spelling out the article in question, following
the lines with his great forefinger and mutter-
ing under his tawny mustache.
ANY news from Buckhurst?" asked Abe, ris-
ing and proceeding to extract their supper from
the pot.
Nothing much" said his COMPANION,
'Cock-eyed Joe has been shot by Billy Reid in
McFarane's store"
''Ah. said Abe. with listless interest
Bash rangers have been around and stuck
up the Rochdae station. They say they are
coming over here"
The miner whistled as he poured some whisky
into a jug.
Anything more? he asked
Nothing of Importance except that the
hI a.l--t, Il. L
ling way, and that the assayer has
bought piano. and is going to have
his daughter out from Melbourne to live in the
new house opposite the other side Of the
road. So you see we are going to have some
thing to look at, my boy" he added. as he sat
down and began attacking the food set before
him. "1hey say she is beauty, Bones"
His partner suddenly dropped his knife and
seemed to listen Amid the wild uproar of the
wind and the rain there low rumbiing
sound which was evidently not dependent upon
the elements.
WHATS that?'
"Darne1 if know
The two men made for the door and peered
out earnestly into the darkness Far away
along the Buckhurst road they could see a NOV.
ing light, and the dull sound was louder than
before.
Its buggy coming down." said Abe.
Nv here is 1t going TOP
Don't know. Across the ford, s'pose''
why, man. the IOrQ Will be Blk feet deep to-
night and running like mill stream
The light was nearer now, coming RAPIDLY
round the curve OF the road. There was a wild
sound Of galloping with the rattle of the
wheels.
Horses have bolred by thunderm
bad job for the man inside
IF he don't pull 'em up before they reach
the ford he's goner," remarked Abe burton,
resignedlv.
Suddenly there came luil in the sullen
splash of the rain 1t but for a moment
but in that moment there came down on the
breeze long cry, which caused the two men
to start and stare at each other and then to
rush frantically down the steep incline toward
the road below.
"A woman, by heaven" gasped Abe, as he
spranS across the gaping shaft Of q mine in the
recklessness Of his haste
Morgan was the lighter and more active man.
he drew away rapidly from his stalwart COM
panion. Within a minute he was standing
painting and bareheaded in the middle Of the
soft, muddy road. while his partner was still
toling down the side OF the declivity.
The carriage was close on him now He
could see in the light of the lamps the raw
| boned Australian horse. as, terrified by the
storm and by its own clatter it came tearing
down the declivity which led to the ford The
man who was driving seemed to see the pale
face in the pathway in front of him. for he
| yelled out some incOherent words Of warning,
and made last desperate attempt to pull up.