The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-10-20

| A>oI yet.
TOO bad. What would you think
if was to tell you that you are
rich?"
Il should think you were joking, Of
course"
81 never joke. You are rich"
Joe shook his head and smiled
sadly.
Don't believe it, eh?" the old man
cried
81 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, l remember that | ought to.
after wasting nearly year on it."
THAT claim is still yours, AMI
there is fortune in it. It's worth
100000 any day. 1 prospected it and
know. Been offered that for Z.
Where's your friend-Lewis?"
Hes gone to town. Are you sure
about that claim of mine?"
"Of course. You can have 100000
for it any day. I'm going back, and
want you to go with me. just came
down for a day or two. Got daugh-
ter, and heard she was down at town.
Came to meet her. Maybe you know
herr"
81 may, but believe l have forgot
ten your name. Or did l ever know
it,"
81 guess not. Everybody called me
Shortcut. The way l talk, you know.
Remember"
"Yes. Your real name is"
Harmon. Zach Harmon"
Joe gave a start, and his face paled
and flushed The old man saw moth
ing however, and presently he ratified
| on:
| 81 haven't seen my daughter for
| five years. Haven't heard from her
| for long time. 1 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. H. said she had come on
| to hunt me Up if I was still living.
Fine girl, and l am anxious to find
her. Do you know herr"
What is her first name?" Joe
asked.
"Jane"
Joe was silent a moment, then he
answered, quietly:
Yes, thinE 1 know her. At least
I know lady Of that name"
$50: Then it 10 my daughter. Where
is shey'
! Down in town."
Eyes. How far from here?"
about three miles,"
$50? Well. l znust get on. Anxious
to see her, you know. Five years is
lo,.g time. I'll see you Tomorrow
joe hesitated a moment, then he
said:
perhaps I ought to tell you some
thing before you go, Mr.. Harmon"
We'll. what is it,"
Lewis is down there"
Down there' With my girl, You
mean?'
| Eyes"
What for? Want to marry herr?
Il think So
The old mans eyes blaZed.
THE scoun6rel!" he cried. "I'il
soon settle him, though. Guess she
don't know that he robbed me- Why
didn't you tell herr"
Il didn't know who you were.
never dreamed of you being her
father
That's SO. Well, must hurry.
Would you come with me? Wish you
would, to show me the way"
'I'll come, II you wish tt
"All right, come on"
| They passed out of the gulch as the
night began to fall. They went down
the mountain in the darkness. There
was comparative silence between
them. Now and then the old man
jerked out short sentence and Joe
answered. That was all. ) j.
Can 1 win hef!' he said to himself.
''Or is it too later
He remembered lewis air of conf
dence, and he sighed, and in his heart
there was feeling cf 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 s:irl, sitting together,
and the former was declaring his love.
The old man walked straight up to Lewis
and raped him over the head with his
cane.
"Ha! Scoundrel, villain, thief" he
cried. Then, turning to the girl, he add
ed: "Jane, don't you know me? I'm your
father"
She gave little glad cry and went to
his outstretched arms. There was long
and impressive sileIce, then the old man
pointed to Lewis and said: H.
"Jane, are you going to marry that
man." ...
mo, father" she replied "Never!"
"Ha! Good! He's q scoundrel!" He
paused moment, then, pointing to Joe,
added: Nov, there's man who's hon
est. Do you know ktm?"
eyes, know him. she said, softly.
"Do you like hint"
She did not answer. 1t was not neces-
sary. Joe knew he would not have to
win her.
The less heart a woman has the oft
! ener she is willing to give it away.