Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-30

Esperanza laughed when they saw hin
making ready but they were careful to do II be
hind his back.
Xvbor he was finally clear of the ragged fringe
of civilization that hung about the mining camp
he exnerenced a sense Of exultation. The pros
rect of the task before him was pleasing. Inc
mountains nodded to him in grave welcome.
A. the end of the third day he reached the
r,oi,,t where he had determined to make his per
manent camp while studying the surrounding
country
i, the weeks that followed, Bennett sought a;
industriousy as any professional miner coulo
have done for hint as to where eartn huuer
treasures lay, but without the success 'na' "oulo
satisfy him.
The supply of food which he had brought from
Esneranza he supplemented from day to day with
the aid of his rife. But finally the time came
when he must stop and return to the settlement
for stores.
II was wear since Bennett had left home
He had not realized it until now.
JJpon his return to the settlement none OF the
few; whom he had seen before recognized him
This made him feel more his loneliness and aloot
ness than the solitude of the mountains did, ano
he made haste to get away again
His purchases were made rapidly and az
quietly as possible but in the course of the busi
ness his name was asked and given. Ihe dealer
who was also postmaster of the camp, pr1cked uT
his ears.
Bennett he said: "then l reckon this ere
letter must be yourn.
He tossed out letter. soiled with much hand
ling. Bennett saw that the hand was that of an
old college friend The postmark was three
months back
That night, good distance on his way, he
took the letter from his pocket when the camp
fire was kindled, and was minded to thrust IT,
still unopened, into the blaze
D,.l ,oll,, he ad and road There
much useless chatter. Things were dull at home
s'By the way,"--here Bennett moved closer to the
Pickering fame of the fire-"Mss Gansworth was
married last week / thought once you had a
tender spot for her, she for you, but see
was mistaken. The wedding very SWELL
think you never knew the fellow she married
Boston chap. His name
The writing was indistinct, and Bennett stir
red the fire in order to make better light. Just
then a gust of wind swept about him, and twirled
the paper from his hand and into the flame.
Bennett reeed back though he had received
a physical blow. A sense of the utter futity
of endeavor took possession of him. He was
foiled by malicious fate He. would have given
much to know that name, that he might locate
the hatred that had taken instant hold upon him
toward this man who had won Myra Gainsworth
Ho lay down and slept uneasily At day
break he was afoot once more, and the end OF
Ihe third day found him again nearing his camp
Hearing his footsteps, man shuffed out Of
the cabin. A poor unkempt figure of man, al
most of man, almost the caricature of one
because hunger and suffering had done their evil
work upon him.
Bennett paused, leaning on his rifle, and waited
his approach. The man glanced about him, as il
with some momentary impulse of fight. Then
he came forward and spoke.
.I suppose you own this camp? We'll, I've
been keeping house for you. | guess You won't
miss anything, unless it's little coffee and some
tobacco. | made free with yours, mine was
all out"
'You're welcome to anything you found there,
he said, briefly: supplies pretty low when
/ struck out I've been stocking up"