The Grit-advocate., 1903-01-16
The k|0ldyke Gold Mystery.
By JOHN r. MUSICK,
Aathes Of "siyssssisus Mr.. Howard" "The
Dark Stranger" .CbarIie A,;endaIe's
Doubls." Etc.
Copyright, 1897, By RosKHr BoHxKz's soHs.
All riKhts reserved.
CHAPTER IL.
The Storm Bursts.

ally the low muttering of far-off thun-
der could be heard, but it did not dis
turb the young pleasure seekers, who
had come out from Fresno, California,
to have good time. One tall, grace
full girl whose golden hair and deep
blue eyes would have attracted any be-
holder, was standing in the shadow Of
a tree, whittier she had wandered
alone. She took very little interest in
the sports of her youthful companions,
no more youthful, however, than her
self. AS she strolled under the shades
of the pines her pale blue parasol half
concealed face that was exquisite in
its loveliness.
"Oh, Laura, why are you alone?"
asked pretty, dark-eyed girl leaning
on the arm of her lover as she passed.
There are plenty of young fellows
who would be glad to take Paul's
place. Shall tell them they CAM"
Thank you, Nellie; l do not want
them" while faint smile fitted over
her face.
At this moment another couple
passed where the three Stood their
faces half hidden behind pink en-
brella. Nellie, smiling, said:
There goes Clarence and Nellie
Bush. People say they are to be mar
ned in the spring and start for the
Klondike."
Laura sighed and her little friend
went on. The gaze of Laura kean was
now riveted on Clarence Berry and
Ethel Bush. The rumor that they were
going to that strange, far-off northern
country awakened in her nina new
interest in them. Ethel Bush was one
Of her dearest friends, and Clarence
and Paul had been boys together.
AS Clarence and Ethel sat in the
shade Of tree, they built anew their
air castles amid the glaciers and ice
bergs of the frozen north.
II hope l don't intrude," said
sweet, silver-like voice, and, looking
up, they beheld their friend Laura
Kean standing near, smile on her
pretty face. my excuse for coming
Is to discuss your intended journey to
the Klondike. l have heard you are
going in the early spring."
1--WE have SO decided" Clarence
Berry answered.
"And If agreeable l have decided to
accompany you"
Ethel Bush was delighted, and de-
clared if they could find preacher in
Alaska the wedding would be cele-
brated in the frozen north. The three
sat on the green and planned and
talked with increasing enthusiasm, and
Laura, with her pretty face beaming
with happiness, arose, left the lovers
to themselves, while she strolled down
the grove, that her mind might con-
1ure up her lovers joy and surprise
at meeting her in those faraway re-
gions.
Unconsciously she strolled deep into
the wood and was lost to the sight of
her friends, when footstep near
caused her to start in surprise If not
alarm. Before her stood a young man
of twenty-eight, with pale cast Of
countenance and keen blue eye. He
was of figure that might have been
called handsome, but to Laura Kean
he was repulsive. She gave him a
glance and gasped:
"Mr. Lackland!"
Theodore Lakeland had followed
Laura to this picnic and into this wood
with a set purpose in his heart. He
was wealthy, young man of good
family and reputed ability, but man
Of firm and fixed purposes. To accom-
plish an end he would go to almost
any limit. He had known Paul Miller
long before he set OH for the Klondike
and hated him because he loved Laura
Kean. Why should this beautiful girl,
the only woman whom he had ever
loved, prefer this rude, penniless coun-
try boy to himself?
Mr.. Lakeland failed to realize what
SO many have in this life-that it is
the soul that attracts and not the face
and figure. There Is no freemasonry
so subtle as the freemasonry of the
soul.
Il am pleased to see you happy, Miss
Kean," he said. There has always
been something wrong with me, and
while others are happy I am sad"
Surely it is a morbid fancy" said
Laura. The light was dying out in
her eyes. She made one quick down
ward look at the path, as if wishing
to pass him. He observed her glance
and said:
"No, no, Laura, wait a moment;
have something Of great importance
to say to you, which must say now.
II have Just been told that you
have decided to go to Alaska in the
spring" He looked earnestly into the
girls glowing face, and added, with
deliberation:
Laura, there are reasons why you
should not undertake such a journey
What reasons?"
"a million natural obstacles are in
the way"