Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1905-04-01

He thrust his mana lntO the POCKET
of his ragged trousers and drew out
letter.
This" he said, "came by the last
fruit steamer-the one that goes on
further south. It's from her. She says
that as 1 can't leave my work-imag-
inc my work!-to come to her, she
is coming down here to marry me.
She is coming on the Southern Cross,
due here tomorrow"
you've written her not to come, OF
course" said the consul with convic-
ton.
Brant smiled YEARLY.
"You forgot the steamer this letter
came on two months ago doesn't stop
on it's way north. There is no mail
north until the Southern Cross goes
back. She is coming tomorrow"
Good Lordw said the consul ex-
citedly, as the truth of the matter
dawned upon him.
Now" said Brant with more de-
termination than the consul dreamed
he could muster. 81 want your help.
First. l want you to lend me a razor
and some clothes. If you will. I'll meet
her tomorrow in fairly respectable
guise; but l don't dare trust myself
after 1 see her. l want to bring her
here to the consulate, and l want you
to tell her-here before me-what
manner of man l am.
He opened the soiled shirt, and from
! the inside unpinned a few bills.
II made this working with the ma
tives on one of the plantations. It's
| ~ hoo lx 7
to send her back to the States. VIII
your"
The consul was lost in thought COR
some time. The other waited patient
ly.
"See here" said the consul at length.
IT stand in pretty well with Toro and
his cabinet. 1 think 1 can get you a
place on the railroad the government
is building"
Brant held out a deprecating hand.
Rum and the coast have played a
merry game with me-" he said mean
ingly. You'd better send her back
first. Then I'd like to try again"
The consul suddenly seized Brant's
hand.
I'll do my best for you" he prom
ised.
Antigua behaved herself the follow
ing day. At sunset, Brant and the
| consul stood on the beach, watching
the great bulk of the Southern Cross
glide to her moorings through thu
CLASSY water. The palms stood gu
sharply against a sky of red and gold
and far to the east dim little star
were struggling to peep out of the pal
blue sky.
Both men stood silently on the shore
Brant calm and straight, his eyes o.
the unruff1ed bay; the consul, with on
! hand holding his hat, the other nery
ously pulling his mustache.
Presently the gig was lowered fror
| the steamers side with much scream
| ing of the davit-blocks. Without
| word the consul walked back to hi
| little shack and entered the room tina
] served him as office.
{ Some moments later he heard tn
tread of footsteps on the veranda an
- a girls light laughter. The consul ros
e and Involuntary squared his shou
ders.
Brant entered and with him was
dark-eyed, laughing girl. The consl
s experienced a sudden overwhelmin
sense of helplessness.
: He was vaguely aware that BraI
: was speaking words of introduction
vaguely aware that he had taken
IL soft little hand in his own. and that
was looking into a pair of happy, u
e clouded eyes. Then there was STRAIT
t ed silence until Brant coughed ner
a ously The consul cleared his throa
Redeemed to the roots Of his hair, ar
n began:
e Miss Kent, l want to say a fe
t words to you about Mr.. Brant and
l and-er-this coast. l fear you ha'
l. been deceived, or at least that matte
: have been more or less overdrawn
X you"
is The girls eyes grew wide with
troubled, questioning look. Grays'
D. set his teeth.
HE has deceived you brutally," I
)" consul blurted out. "You must
Id back to the States"
v 81 don't understand you. We are
20 be married here. l shall stay" sa
r the girl bravely.
at 81 tell you he has deceived you
lg said the consul savagely. "You mt
Ill go back"
The big eyes grew frightened. II