The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

You may" he answered coldly. MAY 1 ask
how you knew me?''
Heard your name back at the trail
forks" said the other, with a curious smile.
cit didn't strike me then, but L went to
school with you. You needn't be afraid; L
regretted my share in the proceedings
even before we got the gold; and, on my
word of honor-if that is worth anything
I'll give you no more trouble"
Carson dropped the gun-butt between his
heels, and stared hard at the speaker. He
remembered now, and knew that the man
before him had taken high honors at
! English college. He was worn and bent in
frame, dressed in ragged deerskin, and
signs were not wanting that, as he said,
there was something radically wrong with
his lungs. Carson also devoutly hoped that
Lee, Of Cedar Crossing, had, for the time
being, lost his way.
II can't compliment you on your present
occupation" he said, with coldness,
though there was a time when 1 envied
you; but 1 wish, for the sake Of old ac-
quaintance, 1 had chosen the other-man.
Do you mind telling me what brought you
| -er-down to this?"
Its a simple story" was the answer.
81 dare say you have heard il all before.
My profession was overcrowded and
emigrated, taking-it was mad foolishness
my young English wife with me. Profess
sional business seemed even worse over
here, so L invested what little I had in
fruit ranch, and building lots in what was
to be rising city. The town-site busted,
as they say, and the boomers divided the
fragments between them, while,
matter of course, had mortgaged the
ranch. Fruit failed two seasons, and no
one would even buy what we had; my wife,
poor soul, broke down under the struggle:
and as a forlOrn hope sent her into the
city and went up prospecting. We found
nothing; but working in ice-water and
sleeping wet through developed a latent
weakness, and before 1 met that
founded rascal, my late companion, knew
there could be no more hard work for me.
All left my wife must have been ex-
hausted, and I couldn't go back broken
down and empty-handed, you see."
Carson said nothing for several moments;
then he answered. Il am not a vindictive
man, and don't set up a judge. while
I've got back the gold All things consid-
cred, we have not Jared badly, and for the
sake of happier days-if a few ounces are
any use TO you We could spare them. Then
I'll give you a fair start, and there's the
whole of the forest open to YOU
"You are very good" said the other,
huskily; but cannot take aims from the
man robbed. It's romantic delusion, of
course; but the other thing seemed differ
ent some way. In any case, Henry Carson,
l am much indebted to you"
Halo. partner! Hallor' The cry rang
repeatedly through the silence of the
woods, and Carson said, simply:
THAT is my comrade hailing. You had
better go. My offer is still open; but, any
way, take your own goods and rifle with
you
The man vanished into the shadows, and
Carson waited a space before he answered
ak, rushed into the camp. he stared about
him in bewiderment as he noted the pack
cts OF gold and the weapons.
"You held them UP alone General Jack
son. he said, wringing Carsons hand.
I've been in a blind state of fear about
you; got stalled in a cluster of devils club
and couldn't get through. But where in the
name of thunder have them two gone to?
You didn't shoot them both. did your
NO" said Carson, smiling. Il couldn't
take the pair, so 1 chose one; and, finding
he was an old friend of mine, I let him
GO AS favor to me. don't want this lit
tie affair talked about, Lee. Now Wen go
on, and the further we get from this place.
the better I'll sleep.
In due time they found the Cayuse pony,
waded through the torrent and camped on
the other side while. when they reached
the haunts OF men again, Carson, who