Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-04-06

NOrth's eyes emitted a CLEAN of hatred,
and his hands clinched tightly.
mate object, but Miss Duke, turning in
her saddle, smiled back at him as If
to make amends for her companions
carelessness.
II hope" said Miss Duke hesitat-
ingly as they rode onward, THAT you
will not remember Matthew North's
words and manner today against him.
He has an invalid mother and a young
sister dependent upon his earnings"
Monckton lifted his hand with Ian
guild gesture. II beg Of you," he re-
piled, "let us avoid that subject. My
mouth tastes Of coal dust as 1t is. I
have no interest in that class Of people
whatever. They always have invalid
mothers and dependent sisters. do they
not?"
"They are human beings, as we are"
returned the girl seriously, with the
same capacity for suffering and happi-
ness that we have, though in our deal
ings with them we ignore or forget the
fact. There is not a more faithful,
honest set Of men in the world than
these miners are. and none that receives
worse treatment. Helpless in their
ignorance and poverty, they are ground
to the very earth by their heartless mas
tiers. They bear their wrongs patiently
until they may be borne no longer; then
they rise in mere brute strength and
strike blindly. Who can blame them?"
She spoke with unconscious vehe-
mence, and her companion. watching
her face under half closed lids, thought
among the many beautiful women he
had known this one was the most beau
tiful. Her youth, freshness and SIM
plicity affected him like the delicate
perfume Of the mountain flowers he had
loved in his unspoiled boyhood.
"What is it you wish me to do?" he
asked, with far more earnestness than
he had thus far exhibited.
do these poor people Justice" was
her quick answer. ''Give them the
protection they ask. Investigate for
yourself and then act according to the
testimony of your own eyes and the i'm
pulses Of your own heart"
II think" he said slowly, II could
do much to please you."
And you will overlook the rudeness
of Matthew North today?" she asked,
bending her head to hide her confusion.
She did not observe the change in her
companions manner as she spoke
North g name. The slight show Of feel
ing which had momentarily appeared
in his face faded away, leaving it COL
orless and apathetic as before.
"You need be under no apprehen-
sion." he replied. with a touch of
haughtiness in his tone. Il attach no
importance whatsoever to the incident. "
She raised her eyes with a quick, in
quiring glance, but he was not looking
at her, and his handsome features wore
their old bored. Indifferent air.
"TlNnk you," she said CURLY, and
during the remainder Of the ride both
were silent.
Il WONDER" reflected Ralph Monck-
ton as he rode homeward after bidding
Miss Duke farewell at her door, Il
wonder if l am still capable of making
fool of myself over a woman. II
! thought SO, would 60 away tomorrow
and resume my old wandering life. And
wonder if she cares for that fellow
North. He is certainly handsome, and
she is little radical-such things have
happened. Pshaw! why should carer"
His horse plunged violently under the
sharp stroke of the spur and broke into a
reckless gallop, unheeded by his rider.