Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-10-16
CHAPTER VIII.


CHAPTER VIII.
Laura's Departure.
While the many stirring events were
transpiring in Alaska, poor Laura
Bush was living life of doubt, min
gied with hope and despair, at Fresno,
California. Not a line had she re-
ceived from Paul since the letter came
that he was robbed and wounded.
Was he dead or was he still alive,
struggling to regain what he had lost?
1t began to be whispered over the
town that Laura Bush was losing her
reason. Theodore Lakeland was
shocked and grieved at the thought,
for in his selfish way he loved her
madly. He would have given worlds
to possess this matchless beauty who
had wholly captivated his soul.
At this time most remarkable
event transpired-an event that was
more surprise to Laura than any one
else. A bachelor uncle living in Wyo-
ming died and left her twelve thou
sand dollars-all he possessed.
This will enable me to procure an
outfit and go in search of Paul. said
Laura to Mrs. Miller. The widow en-
folded her in her arms and begged her
to abandon such mad design.
In vain she wept. prayed and plead
with her. Laura was so impressed with
the conviction that she must go. She
had her way. Buying her outfit and
securing the service OF a faithful.
trusty man who had worked for her
father, she prepared for the journey.
She had made her last trip to San
Francisco and returned late one day,
short time before her departure. On
reaching Fresno she started from the
depot to walk home. II was SO late
the sun had set, and the shadows of
evening began to creep over the land
scape. She heard footsteps at her
side and Lackland's voice said
Miss Bush, have heard a rumor
that you are going to start for Alas
ka."
Il shall"
He walked on in silence for mo-
ment, while his pale face wore a pen
sive, sad expression. and his eyes were
upon the ground. His determination
to conquer made him selfish and
scheming. At last he said:
Laura, you do not understand me-
am true friend to you; you may
not believe it, but | am. That other
time my passion was hot. was wrong,
perhaps, in denouncing the man you
loved, but surely you will forgive me"
She answered that she was taught
she must forgive in order to be for
given. AS drowning man clutches
at straw, he grasped at something
in her words, and was encouraged to
add:
Laura, If you would let me sympa-
thize with You in this loss, | would
freely mingle my tears with yours.
Oh, If you would only let me be a
FURTHERMORE than brother"
silence, Mr.. Lakeland" she quickly
interrupted. II will hear no more from
you. Here | am at home; good
night"
She darted into the house, quickly
closing the door after her and leaving
him standing out In the cold, dark
street. For moment he stood gazing
upon the door which had closed upon
the being he loved. and then turned
slowly about, his thin, white lips com
pressed, and his fingers closed firmly
as il he had the lockjaw.
AS he boarded the midnight train
for San Francisco he murmured, half
audibly:
Something desperate must be done
! shall now play my last trump card"
Meanwhile Laura was completing
arrangements for an early departure.
Ben Holton, her fathers faithful do
nestle, was the only person she en-
gagged to go with her. A party was
forming at Seattle. and thither she
went with all her supplies. Mrs. Mil
Ter accompanied her that far.
Here they found another brave WON.
an--Kate Willis--ready to brave the
dangers of the Klondyke. She was
forty years of age. large, strong. and
had determined to go to Juneau or
Dawson City to start laundry.
The vessel pushed on. and Mrs. Mil
Ter stood on the dock waving her
handkerchief at the brave girl until
distance mingled her form with the
others. and then burst into tears.
Theodore Lakeland was deep
schemer, and when he separated from
Laura Kean he had by no means aban-
doned hope of winning her.
While on his way to San Francisco
he was continually saying:
$50 she is going herself to search
for her lover! Is Paul dead-really
dead? May 1t not be only a mistake
after all? He is missing, that is sure,
but the young fellow has more lives
than cat wish to Heaven l knew
that he was" He started, and
shuddering. began to think how degen-
Grated he had grown.
Then he leaned back in his seat and
closed his eyes. while the great train.
like flying vulcan, rushed on in the
darkness until the city of Oakland was
reached. He went aboard the ferry
and was transferred to San Francisco,
I'D