Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-01-23

you want to say. It's all right now.
Don't fret over what you've done to
me- 1t doesn't matter. Can l do any
thing to make YOU any easier? Have
you any message to send to your
folks?''
Tell 'cm anything but the truth,
said the dying man. They mustn't
know what d bad end l came to. |
must tell you something while can.
It's about your father
My father
Tom drew closer to Rider and ex-
claimed:
quick. What do you mean?"
Get me some brandy" whispered the
other. TIN getting faint.
Tom darted off, and soon returned
With the stimulant which they had pro-
vided in case of sickness. He admins
tered a small portion to the mate, who
revived at once and said:
Don't interrupt me. i must be quick.
This wound is burning me up. Your
father got the Alaska fever and left his
ship at Frisco. He gave me all the
money that belonged to the owners to
take to them. l gambled it away. To
hide my crime said he ran away with
it. / saw him In Dyed
what"
Tom stared at him as if inclined to
think his mind was wandering, but the
mate went on:
He's rich. He's struck gold some
where, and was going home to find you.
He was Wild when | told him YOU was
dead. and started off TO Frisco to see
YOU was buried in good shape That's
all. and it's enough too. "
AS he uttered the last words he fell
back exhausted. Tom tried to give him
more of the fiery liquor, but he could
not swallow it. His lips moved feebly
and his eyes We're turned on Tom In
mute appeal.
II forgive you! God knows I do"
whispered the young man huskily, and
a flash of joy on the dying mans face
told him that he was heard and under
stood. Then single long drawn
breath followed, and With 1T Obed Ri
der's 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 q chew of to-
bacco.
Wouldn't trouble yer, only yer've
tied my hands," he explained.
When 1t was fairly light council
was held to determine what disposition
should be made of the prisoners. This
proved somewhat difficult matter. To
take them to Dyea involved a vexatious
delay, for there We're no horses for
them to ride, and to turn two such
desperate men loose seemed danger
Gus thing to do. Moreover, they would
starve without provisions.
/ After talking the matter over some
/ time without arriving at any conclu-
sion, Taylor exclaimed, 1mpatiently:
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 Them
His advice was agreed to by the rest
and the little outfit was at once pre-
\ pared. When they We're ready to start
/ he walked up TO the two desperadoes
| and said:
There's your grub. Take 1t and light
out. shall give a full description of
! You to the authorities at Dyea and see
I that 1t is sent to Dawson. Somebody ls
y
AS he spoke he cut their bonds and
! then mounted his horse.
Half an hour later our friends were
4 Wei on their way. While the baffied rob
beers We're tiudging tediously along to-
4 ward Fort Selkirk In moody silence
/ Their plots had failed, and here we
4 must leave them to their fate.
1t was a happy party that rode into
/ Dyea FIVE days later. The capitalist was
! eager to close his advantageous bar
4 gain, and the business was soon trans
4 acted. Taylor received draft for $780,,
( coo on responsible San Francisco par
! ties. and when the bags Of gold dust
4 had been safely deposited on board the
/ steamer all care WAS mt an end.
1T was the first night out from Dyea
that Tom Scott found Avery alone ON
i the deck, and in a Few manly words
4 declared his love for Clara, asking her
/ fathers permission to marry her.
What does she say" asked the old
4 miner, soberly.
Tom blushed like schoolgirl and re-
/ piled:
II haven't asked her yet"
Then do 1t, my lad She's been the
! boss this long time. Strikes me you're
pretty sure what shell say to ask me
| first, you rascal"
But Tom had 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 n day in order To procure more
! suitable clothing. They went at once
to a hotel and registered. and half an
4 hour later a stranger accosted Tom,
saying:
MIR Thomas Scott. believe?"
Tom admitted his Identity and the
i man continued.
Scott