Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-02-09
As he uttered the last words he fell

| not swallow it. His lips moved feebly
| and his eyes were turned on Tom in
mute appeal.
ST forgive you! God knows I dol"
| whispered the young man huskily. and
| a fash of joy on the dying mans face
| told him that he was heard and under
| stood. Then a single long-drawn breath
followed, and with it Obed Riders
earthly career ended.
There was no desire for sleep in the
little party that night. By the light
| Of the camp fire a grave was dug and
| the body of the unfortunate sailor
placed beyond the reach of any wild
| animals, and by the time this was done
| the dawn was near.
Avery dressed Bowers fingers to the
best of his ability. the latter grinding
his teeth with pain and rage as he
| realized how he had been outwitted the
second time.
His partner, however took the whole
matter as coolly as if he had not been
caught in any act that might cost him
| his life He spoke but once, and that
| was to ask one of his captors to ac-
| commodate him with a chew of to-
| bacco.
Wouldn't trouble yer. only yer've
| tied my hands, he explained.
When it was fairly light a council
was held to determine what disposition
| should be made of the prisoners. This
| proved a somewhat difficult matter. To
/ take them to Dyea involved a veXatious
| delay, for there were no horses for them
| to ride, and to turn two such desperate
men loose seemed a dangerous thing
| to do. Moreover, they would starye
without provisions.
After talking the matter over some
time without arriving at any conclu-
sion. Taylor exclaimed, impatiently:
"They ought to be hung, but don't
want the job! We'd better give them
grub enough for a week or two and
turn them loose. We can't be bothered
with themi"
His advice was agreed to by the rest
and the little outfit was at once pre-
pared. When they were ready to start
he walked up to the two desperadoes
and said:
There's your grub. Take it and light
out. 1 shall give full description of
you to the authorities at Dyea and see
that it is sent to Dawson. Somebody is
sure to hang you both before long"
then mounted his horse.
Half an hour later our friends were
we'll on their way, while the baff1ed rob-
bers were trudging tediously along to-
ward Fort Selkirk in moody silence.
Their plots had failed, and here we
must leave them to their fate.
1t was happy party that rode into
Dyea five days later. The capitalist was
eager to close his advantageous bar
gain, and the business was soon trans
acted. Taylor received a draft for $780,
900 on responsible San Francisco par
ties, and when the bags of gold dust had
been safely deposited on board the
steamer all care was at an end
1t was the first night out from Dyea
that Tom Scott found Avery alone on
the deck, and in few manly words de-
clared his love for Clara, asking her
fathers permission to marry her.
What does she say?" asked the old
miner, soberly.
Tom blushed like a schoolgirl and re-
piled:
81 haven't asked her YETI
"Then do it, my lad. She's been the
boss this long time. Strikes me you're
pretty sure what she'll say to ask me
first, you rascal"
But Tom was already gone, and we
cannot follow him. Suffice it to say
that the other men saw but little of
him for the rest of the voyage.
At Seattle the party decided to re-
main a day in order to procure more
suitable clothing. They went at once
to a hotel and registered, and half an.
hour later a stranger accosted Tom,
saying:
mir. Thomas Scott. I believer
Tom admitted his identity, and the
man continued:
ST have been hired by Capt. Scott.
your father, to find you. He is at the.
Palace hotel in San Francisco, waiting
for news of you. VIII you wire to him,
or shall do it?''
For a moment Tom was too aston
ished to speak; then he bolted for the
telegraph office.
Three days later there was a joyful
reunion of father and son. and all mis-
understandings were explained. The
gold was found to be worth nearly
$4,000. and after a division had been
made the friends separated. Within
week Clara Avery became Mrs. Thomas
Scott. the two parents being present at
the ceremony.
The wedding trip was to New Eng
land, which Tom declared should be his
home for the rest of his days, although
he had found riches elsewhere.
''And what else did you find ?' pouts
his bride.
Reader. how would you have an
swered her?
THE END.
From the CrucIble.