, 1905-12-27

val LILLE iiN u NhC ~ III iht
back part of the store. Suddenly an *
clamation burst from Jim. and, grab
bling his companion by the shoulder, he
pointed excitedly to the figure at the
stove.
Look, Ike; thar's Rob Desmond got
back. sure as shootin'r'
Yer right, by ginger" calculated Ike
as he peered in above the rim of frost
On the pane at Il handsome, well built
young fellow of about twenty-five who
had taken off his hat and coat and
seemed to be making himself thorough
ly comfortable in front of Miley's old
rust spotted heater.
"Wotll he say?"
"Bout his cabin?'
yep"
"Lightnin' an raZors!"
Say, Ike, I've struck an idee," wills.
pered his companion, with a half sup
pressed chuckle. I'VE can have a good
one on Rob-the best thing out-a
regular Christmas joker
"Wot is it,"
Approaching his friend, Jim spoke a
few words in his ear. Ike put both
hands over his mouth to check the
laughter he could not quite repress.
"That'l be a rich one on Bob, all
right. Well do it! By jimson, we
will" he exclaimed. "a Teller needs a
leetle cheer O. some kind at Christmas
time" Then after a few minutes of
hurried conference the two entered the
store. After greeting Miley, who stood
behind his counter, they FASTENED back
to the stove and gave the new arrival
a hearty welcome.
And what's the news?" asked Des-
mond as he shook hands with them
both.
"News?' said Jim, assuming a reflec-
tive look and puckering up his eye
brows. "Oh, nothin' much, 'cept thet
ole Biler's sold out an left. An
lemme see-yes, thar's Super, he got
throwed an broke his collar bone, an
us galoots has beer dom wot we could
ter patch i'm up. WAL, an then with
a wary look, "thar's some new settlers
comm in lately-wantin' timber claims.
an jumpin' 'em, too, when they git a
chance. But how'd yer leave the ole
folks back in IndiannyY'
"All well, and could hardly tear my
self away from them"
II reckon hearin' bout yer claim has
kinder hiked yer back" remarked Ike.
regarding him out of the corner of his
eye.
"My claim! What do you meanY,
And Desmond's blue eyes dilated wide
ly and grew almost black.
81 s'posed yer heered all about it
fore this" said Jim. "Why, yer see,
yer claim has been kinder took. A fam
lily moved inter yer shanty. Yes, they
have, by ginger!' he added as a wave
Of i~ncredulity stole over his listeners
features.
"Do you mean to tell me that some
low down sneak has dared to jump my
claim while I've been back visiting my
father and mother?' cried Desmond,
the flush of doubt changing to one of
resentment.
Looks powerfully tibet way admit
ted his tormentor. Seed Il kivered
wagon thar an smoke pourin' out o.
yer chimbley."
"Who is the sneaking cur?' demand
ed the now thoroughly aroused man.
Il dunno"
"Well it won't take me long to find
out" retorted Rob, drawing on his
heavy buffalo overcoat with an angry
jerk.
"Wot! Yer amt goin' ter go ter yer
claim right now?'
Eyes, and I'll see that that sneak
thief gets out of my shack in a hurry.
I've got pretty well warmed up with
a grim smile, and don't need Miley's
fire any longer"
II wouldn't go if l was you" said
Ike.
You wouldn't?" eying him with CON
temptuous establishment.
Nor
you must be a fool if you think I'm
going to give up my land. after all I've
done on it, without so much as a by
your leavel"
But yer might get inter trubble."
might I?' cried Desmond, with a
gesture of disgust, holding up a pair
Of heavy pistols and then thrusting
them into his belt. "We'l see about
that! If the cuss ISN'T off my premises
inside an hour III give him trouble
and lots of it,
Il don't think you'll run that settler
out" said Jim coolly.
"You don'tr'
mo, l don't"
"What's the reasonT"
"Thar's sev'ral reasons, an as fer