The sun., 1901-03-07

an III numor. He threw himself into
his chair and ran through the letters
on his desk.
Here's another letter from Broad
man & Yardiey about that Klondilse
business" he said. "Heigh-ho, a
woman is terrible clog on man."
Tom looked surprised. Dick had
been married less than year, and
was model of conjugal devotion.
Dick proceeded to explain.
.Broadman & Yardley have bought
some claims in the Klondike. You
know Broadpan married my mothers
.ousin. I had dispatch yesterday
asking me to go out and see to this
matter. Letter to follow This is
the letter; you see they offer great
inducements. 1t may be the chance
| of lifetime. And, dash IT, May
won't hear of my going; cried half
the night at the idea. had TO swear
/ wouldn't, to quiet her. 1 suppose
she isn't responsible, just now, and
1 can't CO." He paused for an in
slant, then gave his desk resound-
ing blow. 81 say, old man, can't you
go in my stead? You know more
about mines and mining law than I
do, and you haven't a wife, yet, to
keep you at home"
"All right" was the unexpected an
swer. "When can 1 start?"
"The sooner the better. You must
! go east to interview Broadman Il
Yardley, and then on to San Fran
CISCO"
] So few hours later Starinyille
heard, to its surprise, that Tom Car
ter was off for the Klondike; why.
no man knew save Dick Turner.
Helen Starin had bad quarter
hour with her father when he
learned the news. His questions soon
elected the truth, and his comments
were severe.
"You know l did not approve OF
| your extravagant ideas, although /
told you you might do as you chose,
! if Carter We're willing. l expected
that you would listen to reason from
him, and I knew he is no fool.
regret to find that l made u mistake
when trusted to your honesty"
Having thus driven the nail to the
quick, he left his daughter to her re.
Elections. These We're not pleasant
BY this time she was bitterly repent.
ant. Her lover had gone, without a
word of farewell, and only herself tc
blame. "Surely he will write,' she
told herself, but no letter came. II
is far cry to the Klondike, and the
mails 60 and come slowly. Tom Car
ter's kinsfolk dwelt in a distant state
and he wrote to no one in Starinvillt
except his partner His letters t,
him were few, but Helen, who knew
Mrs. Turner, cultivated the acquaint
ance, for the sake of the crumbs o
news concerning her lover. Aftei
many months there came a Telegram
to Mr.. Turner, saying that the tasi
was accomplished, and that Carte
would leave for home en- the mex
steamer-the Nugget. A week late
Helen Starin, looking over the news
paper at the breakfast table, fell owe
in a dead faint. The Nugget ha
! gone down, with all on board.
Meanwhile, Tom Carter, at Cap
Nome, never dreaming that hi
friends mourned him as dead, wa
fuming over the i'll luck which ha
{ brought him to the wharf, only to Sc
the last wreaths of smoke in tn
[ wake of the boat he had missed S
:, he reached San Francisco a mont
q late, and learned of his escape. H
telegraphed to Turner, but the di
i patch went astray, and was returne
I to the hotel, undelivered, after tn
q sender had left.
. Some days later Helen was spent
e ing the night with Mrs. Turner-Dic
e was out of town. The maid-of-al
L work had gone out on an errand, al
4 the baby was crying, when the doc
: bell rang.
i "Helen, dear, please CO." beggt
lt Mrs. Turner, as the second pc
sounded. "I hate to ask you'-sl
r found herself talking to empty al
Helen was already downstairs.
t She opened the door and the,
Ell stood Tom Carter. Helen held or
both hands, with a sob. TON, da
y ling Tom, is it really you? Are W
oi alive, and have you come back?" 81
60 would have fallen, but he caught h
II in his arms and carried her into ii
OF drawing-room. There was no one
the room but themselves. and VIII
: happened is nobody's business.
re They were married few wee
a afterwards without any great tod
te and Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Carter a
~ at home at No. 10 Ivy street, Starr
vile.
RS CONGRESSIONAL GOSSIP.