, 1905-12-27
THE CLAIn
JUMPERS
Continued from page 3

N"S kAoAS '.(AS ~ haa pCOA hCDk
during his absence, mounted and was
soon g~aiioping away through the snowy
dusk of the late afternoon.
When he was well beyond earshot the
two c~onspirators e off into roars of
laughter. Then they had to a~cquaint
Miley with the occasion of their mirth.
for he enjoyed a joke us well as the
XXI one.
It's 4 good one on Rob, by gumI'
cried the storekeeper. Joining heartily
in the laughter.
(Which calls fer a box o. cigars an
two bottles O. Miley's temperance phos-
phate, don't it, IkeY" demanded Jim.
That's w%oteverp affirmed Ike. AN
the same to be charged ter Rob Des-
mond's %accountT'
Exactly"
Good enough" said Miley. give
dollars Is cheap a-plenty fer him to get
off with. l imagine l kin see him a-git-
tin madden n ever an ridin' like all
possessed through the snowstorm down
ter his claim" chuckled the old man
as he reached for a box of cigars on
the shelf.
"Hol on u minute, Miley,' said Jim.
"Wot yer say. Ike, ter dispensin' with
them cigars an p~hosphatizin' his
time an takin' TIL amount O. Rob's
treat in the toys an sich tricks fer
Christmas presents fer them kids an
putin in five Of our own fer some
thin neat fer that leetle woman?'
THE very idee! By thump! l kin re-
member how Noay's ark an tin whis-
ties an SIGH do-funnies ulster stir me
up when l WIS a kid back in Jackson
county at Christmas time. Yer a plumb
genus, Jim, yer air, by ginger!"
Meantime Rob Desmond, his mind
filed with righteous wrath against the
unprincipled wretch who had dared
Jump his claim" was nearing his cab
in. In his anger snow and cutting
winds were scarcely noticed. Only one
dominating desire possessed his soul
to set eyes on that rascal Of a claim
jumper and order him off his domain
forthwith.
When he reached the persimmon
thicket he hitched his horse and walk
ed energetically toward his cabin. The
door was partly open held so by little
Bessie, who wal watching the falling
snow. She was alone, the others hay
ing gone to the dugout stable to SIC
that the mules We're made comfortable
for the night.
The glow from the fireplace revealed,
to the owners astonished gaze, a bright
oval Etfla foir.v with lnnr ual1an haip
She was swaying back and forth hum
ming to herself. Then she broke out
earnestly:
ooh, Sanity, tum right here an make
u wagon well, an, if you can spare
'em, just drop some nice Trismus pres
ents down."
She ceased suddenly as the form of
a man doomed up before her. She had
been asking for Santa Claus, and there
was now no doubt in her mind but that
Rob, in his big fur overcoat covered
with snowhakes. was the great person
age for whom she had peer calling.
where's your pa, little girl?" asked
Desmond, entering his own cabin.
Hes gone" answered Bessie, look
ing half shyly at the visitor.
Gone! Where TOT"
Gone to heben," said the little girl
very simply.
"Humphr' muttered Rob to himself.
81 didn't know claim jumpers went to
heaven"
as you Santa CLAUSE asked Bessie
abruptly, fixing her gaze, first on the
great buffalo overcoat dotted with
white, then raising her eyes wistfully
to the young mans handsome face.
mo, little one, I'm not Sanity" said
he kindly. the hard look on his face
vanishing under the magnetism of the
child's presence and guileless prattle.
Desmond loved children. What if
some of her folks had wronged him!
She was innocent and as pure as the
new fallen snow. His anger having
subsidized, he drew from his pockets a
few trinkets and a paper of pretty can
dies which he had bought e. The store.
ito be in spirit with the season." he
had apologized to Miley. These he
placed In Bessie's hands and watched
the expression of delight that illumi-
mated the child's face. She had hardly
done thanking him when the door
opened and Faith entered. Her eyes
met Desmond's in one long, searching
glance, then she turned white and
leaned against the wall. Rob let his
hat fall to the floor as he FASTENED to-
ward the agitated girl.
Faith. Faith Haskins| he cried.
els it you-and here?"