West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-10-17


nelds, drifting north with the
spring tide that sets through
Berlng strait, Till on the morning Of
the nth open water showed TO the east.
Creeping through, she broke out into
the last stage OF the long race, amid
the cheers OF her weary passengers,
and the dull jar OF her engines made
welcome music to the girl I'm the deck
stateroom.
Soon they picked up mountainous
coast which rose steadily into majestic.
barren ranges, still white with the
melting SHOWS, and Mt 10 In the even
ing, under golden sunset, amid
screaming whistles. they anchored In
The roadstead of Nome. Before the
rumble OF her chains had ceased or
the echo from the fleets salute had died
from the shoreward hills the ship was
surrounded by n swarm OF tiny craft
clamoring about her iron sides, while
an officer in cap and gilt climbed the
bridge and greeted Captain Stephens.
Tugs with trailing lights circled dis
creetly about, awaiting the completion
OF certain formalitles. These over, the
uniformed gentleman dropped back into
Ills sklu ana rOwed away.
"A clean bill OF health captalnr' he
shouted, saluting the commander.
THANK ye, sir" roarcd the sailor.
and with that the rowboats swarmed
inward piratelike, boarding the steam.
er from all quarters.
AS the master turned he looked down
from his bridge to the deck below full
into the face OF Dextry. who had been
an intent witness of the meeting. With
unbending dignity Captain Stephens
let his left eyelid droop slowly. while
boyish grin spread widely txer his
race. simultaneously orders rang
sharp and fast from the bridge, the
crew broke into feverish life, the creak
Of booms and the clank OF donkey
HOSTS arose.
Were here, Miss Stowaway," said
Glenister, entering the girls cabin
The inspector passed us, and it's time
for you to see the magic city. Come,
It's wonderful sight"
This was the first time they had been
alone since the scene on the after deck,
for, besides ignoring Glenister, she had
managed that he should not even see
her except in Dextry's presence. Al
though he had ever since been court
eous and considerate, she felt the leap
ing emotions that were hidden within
him and longed to leave the ship, to fiy
from the spell Of his personality.
Thoughts Of him made her writhe, and
yet when he was near she could not
hate him as she willed. He oyerpow-
cred her; he would not be hated; he
paid no heed to her sights. This very
quality reminded her how willingly
and unquestioningly he had fought of
the sailors from the Ohio ut a word
from her. She knew he would do so
again, and more, and II Is hard to be
bitter TO one who would lay down his
life for you even though he has Of
Tended, particularly when he has the
magnetism that sweeps you away from
your moorines.
There's no danger Of being seen"
he continued. 1.-The crowds crazy.
and, besides, wen go ashore right
away. You must be mad with the con-
hnement It's on my nerves too"
AS they stepped outside the door OF
an adjacent cabin opened, framing an
angular, sharp featured woman, who.
catching sight Of the girl emerging
from Glenister's stateroom, paused
with shrewdly narrowed eyes aashing
quick, malicious glances from one TO
the other. They came later 20 remem-
Der with regret this chance encounter
for II was fraught with grave results
for them both.
Good evening Mr.. Glenlster," the
lady said, with acid cordiality.
"Howdy. Mrs. ChampiapT He
moved away.
She followed a step. staring at Helen.
Are you going ashore tonight or
wait for mOrnlngY
Don't know yet. Tri sure" Then
aside TO the girl he mutfcred. shake
her; she's spying on US"
Who Is sheT asked Miss Chester
moment later.
Her husband manages one Of the
big companies. She's an old cat"
Gaining her FIRST view Of the land
tive girl cried out sharply They rode
On an oily sea tinted like Furnished
copper, while on all sides, amid the
faint rattle and rumble Of machinery.
scores OF ships were belching cargoes
out upon living swarm5 OF scows. tugs.
stern wbeelers and dories Here and
there Eskimo oOmiaks, rat. walrus hide
boats slid about like huge, many leg
ged water bugs. An endless, antllke
stream Of tenders, piled high with
freight piled 70 and from the shore.
\ mile distant lay the city. stretched
ike q white ribbon between the gold
Or the ocean sand and the dun Of the
moss covered tundra. IL was ike no
other in the world At FIRST glance II
seemed Oh made u new white canvas
In week its population had sweIled
from 1900 20 10000 10 now wandered
IN slender. slnuOus line along the
coast for miles, because only the beach
afforded dry camping ground. Mount.
Ing 70 the bank behind. one sank knee
deep in moss and water and. treadlng
twice in The same tracks. found "a bog
u OOzing. icy mud. Therefore as the
town doubled daily in she, it grew
endwise like n string u dominoes TN
the shore from Cape Nome 20 Penny
river was q long reach ~ white. gllnt.
Ing in the low rays ~ the arctic sun.
set Ike fOamy breakers on a troplc
island
That's Anvil creek up yonder." said
Gienister. There's where the Midas
lies. Seer lie indicated gap In the
Duttrcss Of mountains rolling back
from tho coast IT'S the greatest
creek In the world You'n see gold by
the mule load and hillOcks Of nuggets.
Oh. I'm glad 10 get back. This Is life.
That stretch Of beach is full Of gold.
lhese hills are scanned with quartz.