Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1905-01-27

eye know no good o. him. l be
bound, and I'm one as is not slow IN
expressin' my mind about such cat
| tie"
Don't, Kate, l beseech you"
All the while the marble white face
of Theodore was unmoved.
Us this your handbag. Laura?" he
asked, picking up the pretty, white
bag where the porter had left it.
YES"
Let me carry it to the hotel for
you. This good woman will assist
you. Come. there is but one hotel in
the place, and there is no missing it.
1t is long way from the landing. with
no cable line"
In a maze the unfortunate Laura
was led from the landing back toward
the hotel. She had left home. hoping
to be rid of her prosecutor, and found
him waiting at the landing for her.
She longed to know, and yet dreaded
to ask him why he had come TO
Alaska. Her heart told her he was
on his way to the Klondyke. and she
felt strange dread of him.
On reaching the hotel, which was
miserable affair made of boards and
but roughly finished. she ordered a
room and was taken to it. Kate was
assigned a miserable little apartment
near the kitchen, where she could
smell the beef roasting and hear the
cooks quarreling.
Laura had not been long in her
apartment when there came tap at
her door, and a boy with tangled. red
hair entered and said:
EFF yer please, mum, thar's Teller
downstairs who gin me this keard fer
We, an says he'd like ter chin yes
bit"
Laura took the small, neat card
from the dirty hand of the boy and,
glancing at it, read the name Of Theo-
dore Lakeland Should she see him?
She knew the interview must come. In
fact she wished for it on her own &C
count, so why not have it at once,
understand each other and have it
over with?
She told the boy that she would see
the stranger at once. and he bowed
his red head and retired from the
apartment. She neryed herself for
the coming interview.
There came light rap at the door.
Come in" she said.
The door opened and Theodore
Lakeland entered the apartment.
tn. IL t.
face, as he said
you did not expect to meet me,
did your"
Il certainly did not" she answered,
her eyes growing round with astonish-
ment
Il hope my appearance did not
cause any unpleasant shock to your
nerves, and now that it is over trust
you will be glad to have a friend in
this strange, wild land"
There was a short pause. after
which he went on:
Il will be frank with you. Miss
Kean. / came that | might be near
you
II am capable of taking care of my
sell, Sne answered.
But while concede all that, |
reasoned that you were coming to a
land beset by many dangers. and |
could not feel comfortable in the |
thought that you were alone. I had /
leisure and means, and consequently |
why not devote them to your SER
vice? Oh, Laura" and he drew his
chair little nearer to her. Il know
you spurn' me. | know you believe me
to be deceitful hypocrite. but | am
not so bad as you think. | am your
best friend If you will
only permit me-"
Il cannot"
Perhaps at times | have. but 1
know you now"
Laura, will you listen to me a
noment-just one moment?"
Yes. will have to do so. as have
10 other choice"
His voice regained its caImness, but
lis manner was still agitated.
Il may serve you even yet" he
aid. Il have done you much wrong
Il know that-and him. too. did
Iou and him a wrong. knowing
would repent it to the last hour of
ny life. but / was driven to it; had
10 power to resist tit mastered me
hen: it masters me now"
Theodore had risen and took a step
carer.
Laura" he said. and his voice fell
o a broken whisper. Il love you so
can see you the wife Of another If
e can make you more happy than l.
10 you believe there can be an unset