The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-10-12

two cuts with the tomahawk were
plainly marked. Two or three others
near bore the same sign.
Mine, mine; this land is mine," ne
muttered, then walked to where were
traces of earth newly turned. These
he covered with brush and leaves, all
the while chucliling and talking under
his breath, When no sign remained
of the hole which had been partly dug
and left in evident haste like a grave
defrauded, the hunchback went on to
the cabin, dragging his tired feet over
the uneven path.
Light shone from the window, and
through the chinks in the logs. At the
door he paused to listen.
SIS that you, father?" came Sues
voice from within, and she lifted the
latch in response to his gruff open
the door,"
He glowered suspiciously around.
Been out, hev ye?"
Sue did not reply and he turned
fercely. did we see him tonight?
Did we see the stylish BLACKBOARD as
wouldn't stay ter face yer old father
like a man, but sneaked off to"
Don't abuse him!" flashed from his
daughters lips, then gently going up
| to him: st is because you are old,
| father Tor, much older than him), that
Mr.. Creighton does not want fight"
Slightly Modified, he reverted to the
former question: Did We see him to-
night, Susan? Answer"
The girl lowered her eyes as she re-
piled evasively: Il did not; | have
not seen him since you forbade him the
house"
This seemed to satisfy her father,
for he let go of her shoulders, which
he had held in rough grip, and turned
| to the seat in the chmney-side. where
he lit pipe.
Susan watched him, every nerve
a-quiver, every expression revealing
| the strife between filial affection and
the Unborn refinement upon which his
conduct and appearance grated. To
act the daughters part, and yet keep
disgust and fear within bounds, hid
| even from her own heart, was pitt
| full effort.
She said goodnight and was going
off to bed, when he stopped her. THAT
feller's got wind O. my find, and that's
why he wants yer"
Susan returned to his side. Indeed
you are mistaken, father. When you
discovered the coal, didn't | promise to
keep it secret? And | have. Honest
truth ! have!"
Her fathers small eyes contracted
in cruel leer. I'VE hev, hev ye?
Then why does he gallivant after ye?
There amt no reason fer sech hiGh
and mighty chap hangin' round, unless
he knows my land is rich and is willin'
ter marry we to git a-hold of it."
She shuddered at this, and her face
grew white as he added with look of
evil insinuation: Cor maybe he hain't
no thought O. marryin' we at ALP
Choking an indignant sob, his daush-
ter said: He does mean to some day,
father, but he must first help his own
| family to make their home. AS l
promised you, have let him think he
poor as he is, and so we must walt
until"
But her father interrupted with sud
den suspicion: "Mebbe he saw where
| he'd been diggin' the well? He noses
around good deal, like all the rest
o. the meddlesome set, worryin' on ac-
count o. our drinkin' the branch wa'2r.
Calls me lazy fer not diggin' a well
So. to please 'em, dug one, and wlat
did find? Coal! Coal everyWhers!
I'll be rich, rich, and all from takin'
their advice, bless EN-" The light OF
the miser shone in his eyes, and he
laughed low with triumphant derision.
why don't you want 1t known, IA
ther?" the girl pleaded. Nobody
would cheat you out of it; the land Is
ours"
"'Ours?' yes, but who kin prove 1t?
These tomahawk rights are damned
onsartin things, and some O. the big
bugs in the village might take no
ton to some o. that there coal. Than
how long would few scratches in the
trees help me? No, sir"-and he
brought his fist down on the puncheon
stool with defiant thwack-"Pll lay
low for the present, and after a few
months the claim will be mine sure
as shootin. There are better ways
than tomahawk rights, and we kin bel
I'll use 'em. Nobody knows of the vein
but this smooth-jawed lover of yourn
and wish he was in hell"
But, father, what makes you think
that Gerald-Mr. Creighton-suspec.s
Why should he? And if he did
wouldn't he talk to me about it? lie
is always saying how sorry he is thai
we haven't any prospects so that-oh
father, try to think I'm right"
She knelt on the tiny rug at his feet
"He is not mean; he has no underhand
ed object; he is really true, and loves
Newell, just because it's me-" and
the fair face was suffused as at som'
fond recollection.
But the branch-water man pushed
her roughly away, while his face, al
| ,oody rod with drink changed to DIR