Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-06-14


both scoundrels had not intended to
come up to the house, but were just
lurking around. What for?
Miss Helen-I only knew her by her
Christian name-faced them steadily.
though she had called me to her. and
asked what they wanted.
why, nothin' in special, miss" stam-
mered Dawlish. lifting his ragged
straw hat with swell-mob politencss
and a leer that made ME Jingle TO kick
him, "on'y, is the old boss at home?
II mean your pa, miss" he trans
lated.
No" she replied, noddins her head
high, to show she was not frightened,
but |, being close to her. could hear
her heart thudding like hammer,
while the blood famed to her brows,
under the fowl gaze rowing over her.
why do you ASK
Just this. mum. viii you be so
good as to tell him that me and my
pals off to Hulton'S Ranch for short
spell, and If he'd like to tramp over
why, It's a mighty 'andsome part of
the country, and he'd be welcome.
that's all.
Are those the men he works with?"
she cried, tlinging up her hands.
Heaven help us!'
l was casting around for another job,
when she stayed me by asking If l
would go and meet her father.
But you
NAY, do not mind. The little
house is secure. why" with visit
full smile, II am always alone from
daybreak until dark"
l knew it was the fact; so, bidding
her open to none until she heard me
or the squire whistle, l started on my
errand.
Not very far had to go, for met
him in the same little ravine of which
his daughter had dreamed; it skirted
the pine wood, His pick was over his
shoulder, his right hand in his pocket
feeling the nuggets, perhaps, He
was singing a song in some foreign
limo, Italian or Spanish. He looked
more content than | had seen him
more at rest, noddins to me in his
patronizipg fashion.
After few stray words l related
what had happened, advising him to
be on his guard.
Thanks, l WILL" he replied. haugh-
tily, much amused at the scamps ask
ing him to pay visit IN their COM
pany.
but I've Il secret to tell you Ned
he added Il have done with Green
Valley Creek and shaken off its crew.
Luck has favored me beyond my hopes.
| can afford to turn my back upon it..
| shall take my daughter to Melbourne.
| have thought Of settling there"
AS he spoke the little tie of conrad
ship between us was shattered; in Il
moment we were sundereI as the poles
SO quietly he brushed it away.
You were always an honest fellow,
Ned-a trusty creature BE sure that
you come tomorrow; my daughter will
like to shake hands with you before
she leaves" And he went on gayly
through the rich, thick grass.
was in the air. So, us l could not
sleep. | got up and went out. Not be-
ing fool, | knew | must keep my
misery to myself; but my life was
empty! empty! You see, | WIS hard hit,
mate, like the donkeys. What was
Miss Helen to me? could she ever
have been to me-a numbering vaga-
bond chap, not worthy to kiss the dust
she trod on.
But | must go back and watch the
house that covered her for this last
night, so | returned to the ravinc,
In it were many little dells swarming
with the wild flowers of the grand
Australian spring. Now, in one of
these same dells, what do you think
saw? A dead mans face. Yes, |
knew at once he was dead, but 50
easily "the squire" rested on the wet
moss that the song | had heard him
singing might still have been on his
lips. His pockets, turned lining out
ward, were empty Snatching up his
fallen pick, | tore on to the og-house,
knowing well whom should find there.
My long, sharp knife was in my belt.
l raced round to the back, the little
kitchen door was undone, the tiends
In possession had small fear of inter-
ruption. They were in the squire's
bedroom, making free with some whis-
key which he had kept in cupboard.
Where was Miss Helen?
l found her in the sitting room, tied
in her chair, her lips bleeding over her
white teeth. The cursed hounds had
struck her.
"Tehre are three of them," she whis-
pered; those two who came and an.
other man. They watched for my
father and murdered him-they told
me So Hank! they ARE coming Ned,
they have pistols and will shoot you
where you stand. Go away this in
stant-only-kill me first;" and then
she lifted her white pillar of throat
Now, my beauty" roared drunken
voice through the thin partition, were
Ist-ir Gin q ~ uliGknv In