The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-09-08

AND the stake! it was not so much
after all. If he only had Toms share.
too! The thought startled him, and he
looked furtively about, as though al
ready under surveillance. Well, why
not? What was Tom to him now?
The old man cared nothing for gold -.
he had said as much. Why not begin
the task Of wealth gathering tonight,
and double his fortune by a single
coup? The skiff was all ready for the
morrow's journey down the river. He
could easily reach North Fork by day
light, and miles of distance would be
between him and Tom before the latter
could make the trip across the almost
impossible mountain trail. He weak
ened for a moment as he thought Of
Toms almost mothcrly solicitude-of
how throughout their wanderings the
big-hearted miner had borne the brunt
OF the struggle. Even when the treas
ure was discovered the old mans first
words were: I'm glad for your sake,
Billy. Then he asked himself if no,
too, was growing sentimental, and 20
night, of all nights, on the very eve
of battle.
He walked back to the house. Tom
was fast asleep. The Pickering light
OF the lantern fell aslant the corner
where he lay, his powerful form half
swathed in the tattered blankets. his
braWny arms thrown above his head.
The face, from which sleep seemed to
have smoothed away the deep burrows,
mlrrored the rugged honesty of his
heart. But the touching picture meant
nothing to: Billy, who watched the
sleeper for. an instant and then pro-
ceeded to put his cowardly scheme in
to- effect. It was but the work of a
rev minutes to gather together the
things necessary for the short journey
down the river and to secure the treas
ure Tor safe transportation. There
: was a look of cunning triumph on his
lace as he completed his preparations.
he was thinking of the surprise await
ing Tom, who had been fool enough
to believe in human friendship" '@
door of the shack, when slight noise,
real or fancied, caused him to glance
back over his shoulder. The next in
slant the bag of gold crashed to the
floor, while Billy sank on his knees,
as though felled by a blow Tom was
sitting bolt upright in bed, his revolver
]eveled at Billy's heart. --.
The two gaZed at each other a mo-
ment in utter silence. Billy's eyes,
hxed with the penetration born of de-
spalr, scanned the old mans face and
read there reproach and pity, rather
than a thirst for swift revenge. This
somewhat treasured him, and he rose
to his feet.
WELL" he said bluntly, what do
you intend to do?"
49," said Tom, with a long breath,
L wuz mistook in you, after ALL, To
think that I gave you my friendship
an you want worth it, What be
going to do? What do men usu'ily do
when pardner turns theft" al. -.
You wouldn't shoot me, Tom?"
why not? Mems been killed fer
less AN this, an. the world wuz we'll
red of EN-"
Then it did mean death.
AS Billy realized this his face turned
ashen pale. while a palsying terror
struck through him, rending his brav-
ado mask and revealing him as the
pitiable bastard he was. He covered
before the old man, pleading hyster-
ically.
"Oh, spare me, spare me, Tom. You
said you cared nothing for gold, while
II was mad with love of it. 1t is my
god-my heaven-my everything. But
take it, take it all-only give me my
acknowledgements"
"Git up" commanded the other,
coldly. Don't make me despise you
worse'n I do. What would you do if
you WIZ in my place? Shoot, wouldn't
you? You'd kill me now if you had
the chance" ~
But think, Tom, what life means 20
me-: I'm young and y
Think what friendship meant to
me, Billy. I'm DID," a. ~
In the momentary silence that fol-
lowed the pines and the river could ne
heard singing their old song, unheed-
ing of the strife of mortals for scrap
Of the treasure they guarded. Tom
heard the song, and his bitterness
seemed to go out with the weird mel
ody. The hand that held the weapon
dropped listlessly to his side.
''I'll spar yer life," he said, hoarse-
ly; you kin CO." T.. .....
Billy stood a moment as though he
had not heard. .t.t
Eyer free. COP said Tom.
The boy glanced from the old man
to the bag Of gold and then turned
slowly toward the doorway.
''You better take yer pile now" said
Tom, quietly, "as reckon you won't
be comm back -.
do you mean it?" gasped Billy.
certainly; half's yourn; amt it /?
There's only one, thief in this camp
ant amt me-
Tom proceeded to open the bag, and
roughly divided the contents
You can take the boat; that goes