Evening star., 1897-04-03

er attached himself to Van Loo. with his
usual boyish effusion, and In burst OF
confidence impaired the secret of his en-
gagement to Kitty Carter. Van Loo list
ened with polite attention, formal congrat-
ulations, but insorutable eyes, that occa-
sionally wandered to Stacy and again to
the treasure. A slight chill of dlsappoint-
ment came over Barker's quick sensitive
ness. Perhaps his enthusiasm had bored
this superior man Of the world. Perhaps
his condolences were in bad taste! With a
new sense of his inexperience he turned
sadly away. Van Loo took that oppor-
tunity to approach Stacy.
whats all this / hear of Barker being
engaged to Miss Carter?'' he said. with
family superior smile. rs it really true?'
Yes Why shouldn't it be? returned
Stacy bluntly.
Van Loo was instantly deprecating and
smiling. why not, Of course? But isn't
1t sudden?"
"They have known each other ever since
he's been on Heavy Tree Hill,' responded
Stacy.
"Ah, yes! True said Van Loo. But
"Well-he's got money enough to marry.
and he's going to marry"
Rather young, isn't he?' said Van Loo.
still deprecatingly. And she's got moth
ing. Used to wait on the table at her faith
ers hotel in Boomville, didn't she?"
Yes. What of that? We all know it."
"Of course. It's an excellent thing for
her-and her father. He'll have rich SON
1n-laW. About two hundred thousand is
his share isn't it? l suppose old Carter is
delighted?'
Stacy had thought this before. but did
not care to have it corroborated by this
superfine young foreigner. And l don't
reckon that Barker is offended If he is." he
said, curtly. as he turned away. Neverthe-
less, he felt irritated that one of the three
superior partners of Heavy Tree Hill
should be thought dupe.
Suddenly the conversation dropped, the
tprn
and by common instinct looked toward
the door. From the obscurity of the hill
slope below came wonderful tenor voice,
modulated by distance and spiritualized
by the darkness:
When at some future day
l shall be far away.
Thou wilt be weeping,
Thy lone watch keeping.
The men looked at one another. That's
Jack Hamlin" they said What's he
doing here?"
The wolves are gathering around fresh
meat" said Steptoe, with his coarse laugh
and glance at the treasure. Didn't We
day?"
We'll. give Jack a fair show and his own
game" said one of the old locators, and
he'd clean out that pile afore sunrise"
ana lose 1t next day" added another
,,rEaie Sut never , turn a hair or change
Lord! I've heard him sing away Just like
that when he's been leaving the board with
nVe thousand dollars in his pocket, or
gong away stripped of his last red cent"
Van Loo, who had been listening win a
peculiar smile, here said in his most depre
eating manner: Yes, but did you never CON
slider the influence that such a man has on
lhe Woodworking tunnel men. who are
ready to gamble their whole weeks earn
ings to him? Perhaps not But | know
che 1lncultles of getting the Ditch rates
camp" "
He glanced around him with some inn
portance. but only laugh followed his
speech. Come. Frenchy, said an old To-
Gator, you only say that because your lit
Tie prother wanted to play with Jack like
a grown man, and when Jack orired him
on the board and he became sassy, Jack
scooted him outer the saloon.
van Loo's face reddened with anger that
nao the apparent effect of removing ev-
cry trace of his former polished repose.
ana leaving only a bard outline beneath
AT which Demorest interfered:
can't say that r see much difference
IT the ground ana EXPECTING to take more
from 1t than by putting it on a card for
the same purpose"
Here the ravishing tenor voice, which
LAD been approaching, ceased, and was
succeeded by heartsbreaking and equally
melodious whistling to finish the bar of the
singers song. And the next moment Jack
f1amlin appearettin in the doorway.
w hateVer was his present financial con-
dition. Mr.. jack Hamlin, in perfect self
possession, and charming sangfroid, fully
bore out his prsy'iouS description. He was
as clean and refreshing looking as Ma
drono tree in the dust-blown forest An
DOOR of scented soap and freshly ironed
linen was WAITED from him: there was
scarcely crease i'll his white waistcoat,
nor a speck upon his vanished shoes. He
might have been an auditor of the pre-
vious conversation, so quickly and COM
pletely did he seem to take in the whole
situation at a glance. Perhaps there was
an extra tilt to his black-ribboned Panama
hat, and a certain dancing deviltry in his
brown eyes-which might also have been
an answer to adverse criticism.
When. I. his truth to prove would
trihe with my love-" he warbled in gentle
continuance from the doorway. Then Drop
ping cheerfnlly into speech, he added,
We'll, boys. am here to welcome the
little stranger, and to trust that the fam:
ny are doing as well as can be expected.
All! there 1t -! Bless 1T" He went on,
walking leiAUrelv n thA froa aIrro sssYsy.f,,-