Amador ledger., 1905-03-24

protested fervently; "this here ones
got gold in it. ~
= 81 said," she insisted, "that this
is the Golden Hope, and belongs tc
my brother. You are stealing gold. >
81 like that protested Red.
''This here is my claim. Jimmy's is
over there. He pointed down the
gulch to where tumbledown shack
marked the place where Epson had
sunk shaft.
''That !" The girls voice was
full of scorn "Nobody could live on
that. Precisely" agreed Red.
''That's why | loaned you my
shack Amt the kid told yer?"
Marion was puzzled. This man had
an honest face, yet she could see the
sparkle of gold in the rock he had
blasted out, and she knew he was go
ing to steal it. To ber eastern mind
it was barrow load of gold.
''He told me all about his plans
for fixing the cottage" she replied,
disdainfully. Doubtless, had he bor-
rowed the cottage" he would have
told me that also.
"Where is the kid? demanded
Red, wrathfully,
"My brother is still sleeping, she
said.
Unconscious, in his anger of the
shot gun still pointed at his head,
Red strode towards the shack. Half
fearfully Marion followed him, her
worst hopes realized by the sounds
which proceeded from the hut.
For moment she hesitated at the
door, but fresh outburst of cries
gave her courage and she burst into
the room.
Instead of the scene of carnage she
had anticipated Red was administer
ing second shaking to a squirming
figure in pink and white pajamas.
Red released him as Marion entered.
You go get your hair curled," he said
contemptuously, "and come out here
and we'll have clean up talk
"Glad yer didn't shoot" said Red,
affiably as he turned to the girl.
81 plumb forgot l was bein' held up
l was so mad at that pesky kid. Want
me to hold my hands some more?"
It's not necessary said Marion
stiffiy. 81 suppose from the way my
brother took your rude behaviour
that there has been some mistake
made"
81 don't mind" Red assured her.
" | never been held up by a
woman before, aud l kinder needed
a good laugh this morning."
''I fail to see the humor of theft, -
commented Marion.
cit amt theft" Red fastened to
explain. "Y' see this is my claim,
but it's got the only three room
shack in the gulch on it, and
kinder thought it was better than
that shanty down below for light
housekeeping, so | told the kid to
bring you here. thought he'd have
the nerve to tell you how he strung
up"
Jimmy, entering at this moment,
concluded the explanation, and made
his confession. Marion heard it
bravely through to the end. Then
her eyes grew moist.
''Do you mean," she asked, husk
lily, that we have been swindled?"
cit looks that way" admitted
Jimmy. The girl gave way to tears.
Jimmy did his best to soothe her,
but it was Red who finally came to
the rescue.
''Look here, sis'' he said with awk-
ward tenderness. Mebbe 'tain't so
bad as yer think Mines is like wo-
men. Yer never kin tell what they re
going to do. I'll help the kid get
started and we'll let you take shot
at the old hole jest fer luck. -
Action promised at least tempor-
ary distraction and as soon as Jimmy
had been given his breakfast, Red
obligingly eating a second meal to
keep them company, and incidently
to enjoy the society of this dainty
little woman they made start.
Jimmy had gained some idea of
drilling in the week he had been
about the camp in search of loca-
tion, aud several holes were ready
for shot before the dusk set in.
Red lowered the girl in the basket,
with instructions as to the proper
manner of setting off the fuse, and
at her call drew her to the surface
again.
There was a cloud of smoke, and
when this had grown light Red ven
tured down. Presently they hauled