Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-01-17
FRANKS MISTAKE.

the firm of Smith & Mason, dealers in gen
eral merchandise, at small frontier point
in Kansas. They were cousins and young
men in their twenties; both moderately
we'll to do and both quite handsome.
Before coming to Kansas Frank and
Zeke had met a 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:
Il received some welcome news today"
What is it?" Zeke asked.
II have letter from certain little girl
you know who-and she says she is COM
ing out to this part of the country to live"
son coming here?"
That's just what she writes in her let
ter" Frank replied. Says her father is
somewhere in this section now looking up
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
ly at the foor 1t was plain the subject
was not a pleasant one to him and that a
sore spot in his heart had been touched.
But finally he spoke in quiet, steady
voice, saying:
That is welcome news to you. Frank,
surely, and congratulate you"
II think | have reason to be congratu-
lated, Zeke," said Frank. "Alice is a
woman to be proud of, and | know she
loves me-"
Yes, 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 your
Moo, not exactly" Frank admitted;
'but Pm sure it's all right. don't think
she would come out here but for that"
perhaps not" said Zeke. "You will
help her father to get 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, and
| you can't hold it il some settler disputes
the matter with you"
II know that, but I've held it year by
bluffing.' and I'll continue to hold it that
way"
We'll, you wouldn't attempt to bluff
Miss Grayson's father, would your"
~ don't know. I'd like to accommodate
him for her sake, but I'd rather keep that
claim for her and myself"
| just at that moment the clatter of
horses feet was heard without and littl,
later man rode Up to the store and dis
mounted. He was settler from the rive
district.
why, Ike," said Zeke. you're out lat'
tonightp
YES" said the settler, rather late
But came after the doctor"
| who's sick?" Frank asked
II don't know the man. He's stranger
who squatted on the river claim today
was up the river this afternoon, and riding
back across the claim | saw a covered
wagon over by the timber. So l wen
down that way to see what it meant, ant
when | got there l found a man in tn,
wagon down with malaria. He seemed tt
be in bad fix, and l thought he ought t.
have doctor"
The doctor had gone out in the country
but within a half hour he returned, anc
Immediately he and Ike set off to visit the
squatter.
Now, that beats the nation" Frank
said as soon as they were gone. II wonde,
who the old chap is that's had the gall te
squat on my claim"
II don't know" said Zeke. 81 wonder il
he's needy"
"Ah, | suppose he is" replied Frank
coldly. "Those squatters are nearly al
ways sick and needy"
II suspect we should have gone dowr
there with Ike and the doctor to see if there
wasn't something we could do for the
man." Zeke said. Like as not he is out
Of provisions.
well, let him be out" said Frank. at
isn't my business to trot around feeding
men who jump my claim. Pm going down
there tomorrow, but Pm not going to in.
quire about his health. Pm going to give
him orders to move on as soon as he is able
to drive
II wouldn't do it, Frank It isn't right.
You have no title to the claim, and if that
man wants to enter it he has right to dc
So"
"Oh, SO far as the law is concerned he
has right to it, of course But Ive Sc
lected that claim and propose to have it,
DO you think Alice Gayson would in.
dorse such an act as you propose, Frank p''
why wouldn't shef
Suppose her father was similarly stu.
ated and some one drove him off. Do you
think she would be pleased?"
Moo, | suppose not But that's diff.
ferent thing"
Not bit of it. It's just the same thing,
only it would be different OK that was