The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-08-05

everybody. All the menwhO come from
the east-with letters, you know
sooner or later always visit the mine.
This is very absurd of me. There's
really no reason why I should insist
upon accounting for you. But if you
are from the other side, you may know
some of our Big Horn people? Some of
them are very swell, 1 believe"
81 know a good many people on the
other side who are not SWELL Darcie
replied evasively.
But do you know any one of our syn
dicate?" the girl persisted. 'Of course
we think everybody has heard of the
Big Horn who has ever heard of the
Occur dAlene."
Excuse me-" said Darcie, clumsily;
81 think your shoes are too close to the
fire. It's a great bore l can't be ac-
counted for in the usual way" he con-
tinued, on resuming his seat; still, the
chances are I'm better as a riddle with
out the answer. The answer is sure to
be stupid. Let us assume that you have
placed me, even if you have misplaced
me a trife; it can do no harm for one
night. And it may give you that con-
fdence which-which gives me conf
dence to-a-offer you my escort to the
mine"
"Am in need of an escort?'' Miss
Bingham asked in astonishment. She
saw no reason for so much confidence
in her confidence on the part of an in
teresting certainly, but rather ineXplic-
| able young stranger.
'Quite so. / mean temporarily. Your
father-he's quite well; but as I've told
you, he's unconscionably tired. 1t would
be positive cruelty to ask him to turn
out again tonight. I'm taking for
granted, out of modesty, assure you,
in view of our accommodations, that
you'd rather go home"
1--WE must both GO home" said Miss
Bingham, rising quickly. 81 can't mag
inc why you should think my father is
not able!"
But her INA gination was assisting her
wildly at that moment, and painful
prescience born of unyouthful expert
ence was shedding its light upon Oar
cie's remarkable proposition and the
awkwardness of his reasons.
Il did not say he wasn't able" he
desperately interposed; "he's forty
fathoms deep in sleep. Why drag him
out when I'm so entirely at your serv-
ice? That's a brute of a horse of his
for mountain work"
"What, Colonel? Why he's perfect
rOcking-chair!"
Il mean-getting chilled, you know.
He's a heavy man in the saddle. He's
he's not very used to riding, is hep"
why, he never walks!"
pray have little consideration"
Il must see if he is WELL
But
'But this is the very excess of con-
si1eration! Please let me speak to my
father!"
Darcie retreated TO the fire, with a
gesture of despair to Mike, who made
a sudden clatter with his saucepans,
while Faith, under cover of the shadow
at the far side of the cabin, satisfied
herself as to her fathers condition.
Mike was right in assuming that she
had seen him that way" before.
ooh, this is too much!" confessed to
herself the heartsick girl. 81 think he
might have spared me this. And those
poor things trying to keep it from me
with their silly excuses! OF course
they must know what ails him. What
shall do? I'm certain they don't wish
nic to stay; he all but asked me to go
and no wonderfully have enough with
him on their hands. Yes; I must 60
back and stop the inquiries at the mine;
! must tell few more lies. No; will
not cry. They shall not know that
know. 1 will be as innocent as they
think me-"
She had remained some time by the
side of the bed, long enough to gain
control of herself, as she thought
When she came forward into the light
the hot color burned in her cheeks, hel
head was high, her. eyes wide and
bright.
"She takes it beautifully" though
Darcie, scarcely permitting himself tt
look at her; ''but who knows. how she
takes it when she is alone with it,"
Eyes; I think had better go back tt
the mine" said Faith, coldly, eff
either Of you gentlemen will take me
My father is too tired; it would be too
selfish of me not to let him sleep
She fixed her eyes upon Darcie as if dar
ing him to doubt that she believed wha
she was saying. but L will go. Oul
people might be anxious. Can we start
do you think, pretty soon?"
eve might wait an hour" said Darcie
gently, land still reach the mine before
ten
can hour! But the rain has stopped
think. That roaring is the gulch."
Mike stepped to the window to take
look at the weather. Its wildisf
night" he reported, ''but there's moth
ing the matter wild startin' now, if thu
lady wishes. can see the crown O. tn
full moon risin' the summit; she'll b.
high and clear before ye'n come to tn,
funny part av the grade. The thrai
is shinin' with wet; it's as plain as tn
lines on me PAIN. Will We have up tn,
harses or mop"