Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-10

girl named Kathleen Redmond, who has
come to this hole of Hades to find her
The Duke staggered back against his
pony. His great shoulders heaved with
his gasp of astonishment. Then he stood
silently staring through and beyond his
companions, with a drawn look of misery
in his dark eyes. Finally, well, did you
tell her?" he asked
Tell her," calculated Jim, with an oath.
what In seventeen thunders do you sup
pose we are? You may have the nerve, but
we amt, to brace up to young lady like
that, that ought to have mother with
her, and say, Sorry, miss, but you'd better
go home Your brother was shot in a
dirty brawl. You'll find his grave over there
on the HILL You may banker for such a
job, but we don't"
The Duke looked in dazed way from
one to the other. But she ought to be
told" he said. "She can't stay here. It's
no place for her And she's all alone, you
say?"
Sure" said Jim. "Cut away from her
guardian, she said"
Great heavensi'' murmured the Duke
Il kinda think it's up to you, Duke" said
Bill You We're Redmond's buddy on the
ranch"
The Dukes fingers worked nervously.
Yes" he said slowly. I'm afraid it is
up to me-
well it's gettin' colder'n zero here"
said Bill. Lets shut up shop and go up to
the hotel"
Up in a bare little room of the hotel,
which, after all, was the very best the
mousse Afforded, sat the little Irish girl,
her face pressed against the murky win
dow as she looked out over the prairie
with eyes half blinded with homesick tears
and with duvering lips
II guess l oughtn't to have come alone"
she said aloud. IT'S all so queer and
rough. But" here she frightened, lit will
be all right soon as 1 find Hugh. Only
somehow, feel so depressed about it ALL
Inc sun had disappeared out beyond the
lar horizon, and the corn shocks, so richly
brown under the afternoon sun, were now
black silhouettes against the orange sky
Far down the gray strip of road which
wound to the coal mine slope a group of
miners plodded toward the village the vel
low light catching their tin dinner buck
cts. Very strange and unfamiliar it was
TO kathleen, very desolate and raw and
lonely She sat with her face pressed
against the pane, until a heavy ran on the
door brought her quickly to her feet.
Suppers ready!' called the strident
voice of the landlady
kathleen,s heart sank. ~ wonder if I
couldn't have it up here alone" she
thought. But no they evidently exnect
me to go down. / suppose it's the CUSTOM
and | mustn't act snobbsh with them
She descended the stairs slowly and then
in the doorway of the dining room paused
uncertain of Just what was expected of her.
Around the long, oicoth covered table in
inc middle of the room, sat Il dozen men
utNoulhS their supper with a clatter of
knives and plates that was appalling AS
Kathleen paused, a dozen pairs of eyes We're
fastened on her In astonished admiration.
This was a strange figure, Indeed for
Hoods Creek: strange and very lovely, from
the masses of her shining hair to the folds
of her dark rich travelling gown and the
tips of her neat little boots. And the men
stared with every evidence of appreciate ton,
while the landlady, busting forward led
the girl to seat at the head of the table
Here Kathleen recovered somewhat from
her confusion, as she recognized as hep
ne:ghbors Jim Priestly and Bill Cody.
These gentlemen, with superior air of old
mountaineering. not untinged with pro-
prietorship, heaped the girls plate with
food. and piled her with questions as to her
health and state of mind that duly i'm
pressed the remainder of the table. Red
Mason broke the spell with a huge sigh,
followed by the statement, IT'S been a fine
day." and the hotel boarders returned to
their cooling viands.
'Gettin' pretty cold" answered Pete No