Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-11-08

found it was locked, but discovered a
shelter In the peat shed at the back.
AS she stood there caressing her
horse to allay its fears. she was star
tied to hear a key fitted into the lock
of the door in front of the house.
The boards of the mud-covered walls
were ill-fitted and rotten, and Esme
could distinctly hear two men talking
as they entered and shook the water
from their clothes.
"a good thing we are here so near
the place." said Underwood.
YES" answered a voice which made
Esme blush In the semi-darkness, sit
is bad storm. but 1t will soon be over.
I am not sorry it has come now, as you
will see that something must be done
to the place before another tenant &C.
cupies it. 1t isn't fit for dog to live in.'
81 shall do nothing; it's no use spend
ing money on property Of this kind
These peasants are used to plugging it.
Leave the place alone"
THAT is, of course, your affair, Mr.
Underwood" said Jack. "In my posi-
ton as agent 1t was my duty to point
out to yon what was needed, but can
not make you do 1t. Only tell you as
man to man, that the neglect of your
tenants interests Is a disgrace to the
neighborhood. have worked as your
which you hold on my property, but
suppose the foreclosure which you
threaten must come for | cannot work
for you any longer and have not money
to redeem the estate"
''And, pray, why am l to lose your
valuable services?" said Underwood.
"You know that during my manage
ment your profits have nearly doubled.
but whan it comes to distillfng liquors
In underground distilleries and expect
ing me to be a party to the fraud, l
draw the line"
''How dare you speak like this to
mel" said Underwood, choking with
rage. you pauper, If l had not en-
ployed you. you would have starved.
You are exaggerating my poverty"
said Jack, in a calm tone. at is true,
by honest work | hoped to regain my
property, but when you expect dishon-
est work, you have come TO the wrong
man"
by the way" continued Jack, and
Esme could hardly catch his words, for
he was already on the road, 81 have
orders hack the pipes and stills"
"Ths 5ekens you have" roared I'm
derwood, as he paced the miserable
room.
A quarter of an hour later Esme was
in the coy office of her friend and adj
wiser Mr., Rance.
at is a large sum of money to invest
in landed property, Miss Esme."
II know" said the girl. in her quick,
bright way, but what does that mat
ter? | have ever so much more when
that is spent. Besides happen to know
the mortgage will be foreclosed if this
money is not paid. and | have other
reasons as well.'
Beauty trotting along in the twilight
was within mile of her own warm
stable, when she suddenly swerved
from dark figure walking rapidly
in the shadow.
Esme. who had been sitting lightly
In the saddle, thinking over her after
moons work, was taken unawares and
flung to the ground.
STOPPING over her, Jack-for 1t was
he who had unwittingly frightened the
cob-lifted her quickly In his arms. She
was dazed and stunned. and as her
head rested IN Iris shoulder he stopped,
and pressing his lips to hers stole the
kiss that he had never dared to hope
would be his by right.
"Esme," he said, after pause, in
hich each read the others heart, 81
never dared to hope that you had given
me your love, and l have no right to
ask you to be my wife, for In few
weeks | shall have no home Briars-
mere is no longer mine. kissed you be
cause could not help 1t as you lay in