The Washington times., 1905-04-09

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| de was sorting over the stuff like 9
n;iser when | entered the cabin. 1t was
pialn he didn't relish being caught at
1t, for he hastily suggested that we dc
| our talking outside, which we did,"
But 1t is hardly worth feeling bad
about. is 1t? Has he got enough alto
gether to pay for the work of getting
it?"
Our work. muttered Hugo.
Partly, I'll admit, but he discovered
the place. The point is, has he got any
| thing worth while? Isn't he really only
little better off than We are?"
Non exclaimed Hugo, fiercely, hes
great deal better off. If l had his pile
lc be encouraged to peg away. 1 don't
believe the men will stand it forever /
for one won t.
Hut what will you do, Hugo?''
Refuse to pay tribute to him. If
the men should organize they could
| easily compel him to restore what he
has robbed us Of
nj afraid they'd find themselves
dealing with pretty hard customer" l
suggested. 'Rawlin seems at times to
De the easiest man in the world. but
rouse him and fancy you'd come off
rather badly in the struggle
You always We're something of a
coward, Otto,' Hugo sneered.
1t may be imagined that 1 didn't en-
JOY that remark. The fact is, l dis
hked the whole conversation, especially
my cousins tone, which was sour, bit
ter, discontented, and even menacing.
He was suffering from fatigue and dis
in hot I,
was saying things that ordinarily he
wouldn't think / was hoping to divert
his thoughts, and was casting about for
some wav to change the subject when
he stirred up my own passion a bit by
insulting me-
/ make no claim to bravery. When /
am put to it l can -.5ht hard but | ad-
NIT certain discretion in my character
lhat has often prevented me from the
necessity of fighting
doubtless that was vaguely in Hugo's
nlnd when he spoke so tauntingIy. and
II stood me in good stead now. when my
temper impelled me TO resent the insult
with violence.
MY checks seemed to be on fire, and
my heart thumped nofsily, but | was
overcome with the horror of having a
row here in the wilderness. ten tho,1-
sand miles from home. with the only
man in all that distance who was of
my own blood. So 1 held my peace for
noticeable period and then said calm
ly, You know better. Hugo
lie lay with his face averted. mo-
uonless. | bent over him, and as | did
SO, he started half up as if expecting
some kind of assault.
You know better" I repeated, look
ing him straight IN the eyes.
de stared back at me a moment. then
hushed deeply. lay down again and re-
sponded. Yes, L do know better old
fellow. l didn't mean it. Pardon me
will you?"
ou don't need TO ask it," said I:
what was gong on at the ~oast?-
Inc usuaI hustle of q new citv." he
replied with a readiness that showed
his own eagerness fer change OF SUBJ
1ect. There was rather more gambling
than the last time / was there. bpt I
could not see that high crime had in
creased. They had an execution a few
days before my arrival, and a shiplcad
OF immigrants was making things liveiv
in the building line"
For the sake of diverting his mind
asked a number of questions about
Brisbane, the city under discussion. and
he answered them with lively interest |
SO we talked until a late hour COM
Iaratively speaking. for at home we /
should have regarded the evening as /
but begun when we turned in.
liked the fire for the night while |
Hugo went directly 10 his bunk. He was !
getting up again when l went in.
''Confound it," he exclaimed. I've
forgotten something"
Anything l can do?" l asked
NO" said he, doubtfully ITS my |
wallet. There's nothing in it of vital |
consequence, and suppose it's perfectly /
safe where tbs, but I'd rather have it |
with me. III so and get it,
He was beginning slowly and with IN
willing motions to put on his clothes
Wait a minute" said l; where did |
you leave it?''
AT Rawlin's cabin. / was showing
him a map l had made of my route
when | went prospecting. You mustn't
think of going for It, Otto. II was my /
fault, and l VIII suffer the conse-
quenccs."
Nonsense, Hugo / cried. glad OF an
opportunity to 10 him a service and thus
demonstrate that l cherished no feeling |
On account of his hasfy words. Lie
down again. You're too tired with your
long tramp TO do anything more to-
night. I'm fresh Your arrival cut
short my work day by an hour or two.
III 80 for your wallet"
wv ell said he. yielding gr3 strily, |
Tor of course ne would ha.F d3ne as
much for ne, L rather wish yolf would.
I'm dead tired, for fact"
Il suppose Rawlin has the wallet in
his cabin"
NO, 1 think not 1t WIS quite dark
before we finished talking.
You mean you think he didn't see
II"
Yes; 1 laid 1t on the ground beside
ne
Where were you sitting?"
Beneath the tree at the side of his
.abin Unless he has picked the wallet
lp and taken it in you'll find 1t between
he tree and the cabin. If you don't find
t, let it go. | wouldn't arouse Rawlin
o ask for it
1t is astonishing how wildly | re-
member the conversations OF that
ftcrnoon ard evening. l think not one
vOrd has escaped ne in all the halt
entury that has paSScrI since then.
Many word not SGT down here l re-
all with equal distincrness. What l