The record-union., 1895-09-07
BEAVER SKIN.
[Continued.l
CHAPTER III.


CHAPTER III.
A few evenings after Arthur called and
introduced his friend Tom Carter. Tom
was what the boys called "a rattle brain. "
lie was about Arthur's age. but perfect
blonde. His eyes were sparkling with
fun and mischief. When not at work
his time was spent principally with
songs. banter and jolly stories. AS his
claim joined Clinton and Arthur's they
had become warm friends.
Tom never seemed to have care, or il
he had it did not bother him. His ami
mai spirits were so strong, and his tend
ency to fun so great, that there seemed to
be no serious side to him at all.
"Do you know, Miss Ray" he cried,
they have conspired to prevent me from
meeting you, but l discovered it. and as
Arthur knew l was coming to introduce
myself he agreed to do it at last"
ut is evident" said Lucy, laughing.
"that you have been deeply wrouged;
but l hope the future will make il
right"
ut SHALL" said Ton, solemnly.
They had all four just entered into a
lively conversation when knock came
at the door. and to Clinton's hearty re-
quest to come in" Mr.. Kirk entered.
He gave quick glance about the room,
and at every individual. and then bowed,
rather coldly, as Lucy introduced him
to the gentlemen. His manner changed,
however, in moment, and he entered
into the conversation very pleasantly.
showing his superior knowledge of most
/ -. a
pany. He spoke of mining, the future of
California aud society" as it existed
and was destined to be when more
women came. His call was short one,
and all seemed little surprised as he
arose to leave.
SAY" said Tom, suddenly, didn't /
meet you at Highland Flat year ago,
| Mr.. Kirk? 1've been trying to place
YOU"
"Well," said Kirk, looking sharply at
| Tom, you'll have to place me at some
other point. l never was at Highland.
Good night"
"Well, if it was him he didn't wear
store clothes them" said Tom.
But" lnterposed Lucy. what does it
signify any way whether he was at High
land Flat or not?"
Come" called Clinton, lets try a
game OF dominoes and then We'll have a
song from Tom-'The Old Folks at
Home 1t will do you good to hear it as
he sings it,"
Not unless Miss Lucy Will assist"
said Tom. Arthur says she has won
derfuI voice."
The song was sung before they parted
for the night after which Tom and Ar
thur arose to go.
Have to place him at some other
| point" said Tom. "Well, now, Mr..
Kirk, you are the very fellow L met at
| Highland Flat. | know it. What in the
world did he deny it tor?''
"Why, Mr.. Carter" said Lucy. "that
seems to worry you"
NO" said Tom. but why should
he deny it3 1t puzzles me, though, of
course, it's none of my business"
on their way home Tom said, sud-
| denly:
II don't like that fellow Kirk. There's
something wrong about him, sure's you
live"
But did you notice how quickly Miss
| Lucy flew to defend him? / guess he's
chief" SAID Arthur, rather despairingly.
He dresses well and is mighty good
| looking"
| And SO, in some manner. it seemed to
| be conceded that Kirk was the favored
| one. This arose from the fact that,
among all Lucy's callers, none came
with such regularity as Kirk, and this,
| because, none were so desperately in
earnest as he. l fancy, also, that most Of
| Lucy's callers were somewhat awe
struck in her presence. And what won
der Many of them had hardly seen a
woman once in month. And to be
brought into the presence of such a girl
as Lucy made the best of them nerv-
Gus.
So far as Lucy was concerned she felt
fiattered at the attention shown her, and
particularly in the case of Kirk, as be
seemed SO much in earnest, and seemed
so different in many ways from all the
others that she naturally thought of him
more: besides there seemed TO be some-
how an air OF mystery about him that
she could not quite fathom. This may
have been to Kinks advantage, for she
found herself thinking of him very often,
though, in truth, she lelt it was half curl
| osity.
one day Lucy was startled at the sight
of an old crook Indian who came smil-
ing to the door with rabbit in his hand
and his bow and arrows hung to his back.
She was so frightened that she hastily
shut the door in the poor old Indians
face and ran to her room. The Indian
went away with poor opinion. no
doubt, of her hospitality. When Clinton
came home she related her experience
with the Indian.
'Wby, it was old Moccasin," said
Clinton. HE wanted TO sell the rabbit.
He's good old fellow. We know him
we'll"
"Dear me-" said Lucy. II thought of
poor scalped Uncle George"
HE would not hurt any one," said
Clinton. Speak to him when be comes
again, and you will not want for game. l
| hear he often hunts with Beaver Skin"
What horrid names," said Lucy.
THAT reminds me-" said Clinton.
THE Graham boys, who are we'll ac-
quainted with Beaver Skin, say his
cabin is a real curiosity shop. Bear
skins, deer horns, bears claws and sing
ular-looking stuffed animals. aud birds
nicely arranged on the wall of his
cabin"
.'Oh, would so much like to see it,"
said Lucy. when can we go?"
II Will find out from the Grahams'
where his cabin is and then we can visit
the old hunter next week if you WISH"
said Clinton. Arthur will 90 with us.
l think it Is not over half mile away"
A few evenings afterward MIR. Kirk
called again ana LETT bundle of maga-
zines and newspapers. Clinton and Lucy
were alone. Clinton watched Kirk
closely, and in careless way asked
many questions concerning the last two
years. He ascertained that Kirk had
been but six months in the northern
mines, having spent most of his stay in
California in the southern mines, with
which he seemed TO be very familiar
And SO Tom was mistaken after ALL
Oro Flat had been his home ever since
he came north.
The magazines were very acceptable
Notwithstanding they were somewhat
ancient. Tho next day was the day set
for the visit TO Beaver SKINS cabin. Tom
had previous engagement and could not
go. but Arthur was on hand early and
Lucy was very eager, this being her first
~ IL ha IL
pine trees she bad never seen before
InAv hiua WAS tho aL V and MI ra tho mir