The Grit-advocate., 1903-02-13
CHAPTER Viii.
laura's Departure.

While the many stirring events were
transpiring in Alaska, poor Laura
Bush was living a life of doubt, min
gled with nope and despair, at Fresno
California. Not 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 a most remarkable
event transpired-an event that was
more a 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 a mad design.
In vain she weDt, 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
a short time before her departure. On
reaching Fresno she started from the
depot to walk home. 1t 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 pen
sive, sad expression, and his eyes were
upon the ground. His determination
to conquer made him selfish and
schemng. At last he said:
Laura, you do not understand me-
| am a true friend to you; you may
not believe it, but | AM. That other
time my passion was hot. was wrong
perhaps, in denouucing the man you
loved, but surely you will forgive me-"
She answered that she was taught
she must forgive in order to be for
A..
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
brother-more than a brother"
silence, Mr.. Lakeland" she quickly
interrupted. Il 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
slowly about, his thin. white lips com
pressed, and his fingers closed firmly
as if he had the lockjaw.
AS he boarded the midnight train
for San Francisco he murmured, half
audibly:
Something desperate must be done.
l shall now play my last trump card"
Meanwhile Laura was completing
arrangements for an early departure.
Ben Holton, her fathers faithful do
mestic, 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 wom-
an-Kate Wilis-ready to brave the
dangers of the klondyke. She was