Gilpin observer., 1903-03-19
Copyright, 1897. BY RoBxHr BoNxKn's soxA
AL rights PaseryeA
CHAPTER XII.

oXpreSSln my mlnQ ABOUT Sucn cat
tle."
Don't. Kate, beseech YOU
All the while the marble white face
of Theodore was unmoved.
"Is this your handbag, Laura?" he
asked, picking up the pretty, white
bag where the porter had left 1t.
YES"
Let me carry it to the hotel for
you. This good woman will assist
you. Come, there is but one hotel in
the place. and there is no missing it.
1t is long way from the landing, with
no cable line"
In maze the unfortunate Laura
was led from the landing back toward
the hotel. She had left home, hoping
to be rid of her prosecutor, and found
him waiting at the landing for her.
She longed to know, and yet dreaded
to ask him why he had come to
Alaska. Her heart told her he was
on his way to the Klondyke. and she
felt a strange dread of him.
On reaching the hotel, which was
miserable affair made of boards and
but roughly finished, she ordered
assigned miserable little apartment
near the kitchen. where she could
smell the beef roasting and hear the
cooks quarreling.
Laura had not been long in her
apartment when there came tap at
her door, and a boy with tangled, red
hair entered and said:
EFF yer please, mum, thar's feller
downstairs who gin me this keard fer
ye, an says he'd like ter chin yes a
bit"
Laura took the small, neat card
from the dirty hand of the boy and,
glancing at it, read the name of Theo-
dore Lakeland. Should she see him?
She knew the interview must come. In
fact she wished for it on her own ac-
count, SO why not have it at once,
understand each other and have it
over with?
She told the boy that she would see
the stranger at once. and he bowed
his red head and retired from the
apartment. She nerved herself for
the coming interview.
There came light rap at the door.
Come in," she said.
The door opened and Theodore
Lakeland entered the apartment.
There was an ,insidious smile on his
face. as he said:
You did not expect to meet me,
did you?"
II certainly did not" she answered,
Ter eyes growing round with astonish-
ment.
cause any unpleasant shock to your
nerves, and now that At is over trust
you will be glad to have a friend in
this strange. wild land"
There was a short pause, after
which he went on:
Il will be frank with you, Miss
Kean. l came that | might be near
you.
81 am capable of taking care of my
SELF" she answered.
But while concede all that,
reasoned that you were coming to
land beset by many dangers. and
could not feel comfortable in the
thought that you were alone. had
leisure and means. and consequently
why not devote them to your SER
vice. oH, lduId, anu ne uEtW MS
chair a little nearer to her. II know
you spurn me. | know you believe me
to be a deceitful hypocrite, but | am
not SO bad as you think. | am your
friend-your best friend If you will
only permit me-"
81 cannot"
you have mistaken me all along"
Perhaps at times l have, but |
know you now"
Laura, will you listen to me a
moment-just one moment?"
"Yes. l will have to do so. as have
no other choice"
His voice regained its calmness. but
his manner was still agitated.
II may serve you even yet" he
said. II have done you much wrong
Il know that-and him, too | did
you and him a wrong. knowing
would repent 1t to the last hour of
my life. but I was driven to It; | had
no power to resist tit mastered me
then; 1t masters me now"
Theodore had risen and took step
nearer.
Laura" he said, and his voice fell
to broken whisper. II love you so
can see you the wife of another II
he can make you more happy than |.
Do you believe there can be an unset
fish love? know 1t, and l swear that
II you can be more happy as the wife
of Paul Miller. then will go with
you all over the world to find Paul
Miller. and II he be living will find
him and give him to YOU"
His words had produced a profound
effect on Laura. and she could only
gaze on him in wonder. Overwhelm-
ed by the ardent manner of the man.
she was speechless and dumbfounded.