The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-01

| 8uy WOtu&n tOf maTTy ulM 8U0t UIIIK his poverty He had toiled faithfull for years and fortune had not suile' on him. So far as he could sss, ther was not the slightest indication Q any Improvement in his financial pros poets For this reason he remaiue away from Mlss Harmon. giving Jir Lewis the field.
 He had been sitting in the same de Jected attitude for an hour. broodinl over his ill-fortune, and wonderinl whether 1t paid. after all. to De honesl when a strange but hearty voice ac costed him. Looking up he saw an ol man. with long hair and an unkemp beard. standing before him.
 'Ha! I thought I couldn't be mia taken" the old man cried. I'd re member a good, honest countenance How are your Joe arose and met the extende, hand, at the same time looking at tn, l old man in a puzzled way. I T believ you have the advantag, of me-" he said. T can't just plac, l you at once" N
 So! Don't you remember an old fellow up at Ruggle's Point? A young chap, your friend. named Lewis. bea him out of a claim by jumping Il | while he was sick. He wanted you tt II Don't you rememberT | Yes. now I do." | That was a mean trick in Lewis | He made $10.000 out of 1t, though 1 Hope he may enjoy it. I didn't hurt me much. Got plenty without that The other mine turned out big. Made me rich. How are you doing" well. a little slow. I'm afraid" "so? Haven't struck anything down here. them" Not yet" "Too bad. What you'd you think if was to tell you that you are rich?'
 T should think that you were joking of course"
 T never joke. You are rich"
 Joe shook his head and smiled sad ly.
 Don't believe 1t. eh?" the old man cried.
 T can't imagine any possibility by which such thing could be so." Joe replied.
 Cant you. Do you remember the claim you abandoned up there at the Point?"
 Yes. remember that. I ought to, after wasting nearly year on it."
 That claim is still yours. and there is a fortune in it. It's worth s1o0,000 any day. I prospected 1t and know. Been offered that for it. Where's your friendLawis?"
 He's gone to town. Are you sure about that claim of miner
 "Of course. You can have $100.000 for 1t any day. I'm going back. and I want you to go with me. just came down for a day or two. Got a daugh- Came to meet her. Maybe you know herr"
 T may, but I believe I have forgot ten your name. Or did ever know it?"
 T guess not Everybody called me Shortcut. The way I talk. you know. RememberT'
 "Yes. Your real name is"
 Harmon. Zach Harmon"
 Joe gave a start, and his face paled and flushed. The old man saw noth- ing, however. and presently he rattled on:
 T haven't seen my daughter for five years. Haven't heard from her for a long time. I used to write to her back home. but got out of the habit. Not much mail going up there, you know. heard last week she was down here. A man from down here told me. He said she had come on to hunt me up If was still living. Fine girl, and am anxious to find her. Do you know herr"
 What Is her first name?" Joe asked.
 "Jane"
 Joe was silent a moment, then he awnswered. quietly:
 Yes, I think I know her. At least I know a lady of that name"
 So? Then 1t is my daughter. Where is she?"
 Down in town"
 Yes. How far from here?"
 About three miles,"
 So? We'll, I must get on. Anxious to see her. you know. Five years is a long time. I'll see you tomorrow" Joe hesitated a moment. then he said:
 Perhaps I ought to tell you some-
 thing before you go. MT. Harmon.
 Well. what is it?"
 Lewis is down there"
 Down there? With my girl. you meanT
 Yes"
 What for9 Want to marry herr
 T think SOL
 The old mans eyes blazed.
 The scoundrel" he cried. I'll soon settle him, though. Guess she don't know that he robbed me. Why didn't yOu tciI HcE
 T didn't know who you were. nev- CT dreamed of you being her father"
 That's so. We'll, must hurry, Would you come with me? Wish you would. to show me the way"
 'Tll come if you wish it.
 All right. come on.'
 They passed out of the gulch as the night began to fall. They went down the moutain in the darkness. There was comparative silence between them. Now and then the old man jerked out a short sentence and Joe answered. That was all.
 Joe was thinking. If 1t was really true about the claim. as the old man had said. he was rich, and that not only meant money in plenty but it also meant very much more. It meant that he was in a position to try to win the woman he loved. Then there crept into his mind a little shad- ow of doubt.
 Can win herr" he said to himself ''Or is 1t tooo later"
 He remembered Lewis's air of confi- dence. and he sighed, and in his heart there was a feeling of fear.
 'This Is the house." he finally an- nounced.
 Without making his presence known. the old man threw open the door and walked in. Joe followed. They came upon Lewis and the girl. sitting to- gether, and the former declaring his love. The old man walked straight up to Lewis and rapped him over the head