The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-08-16


"We're In turribIe shape, miss"
away when we were both little tads,
and haven't seen him since. heard
about him, indirectly, at Skagway-
three years ago-during the big rush to
the Klondike, but he has never been
home. When father died, l went to
live with Uncle Arthur-some day, per-
haps, I'll find my brother. He's cruel
to hide from me this way, for there are
only we two left, and I've loved him
always"
She spoke sadly and her mood blend
ed we'll with the gloom of her com
panion, so they stared silently out over
the heaving green waters.
Its a good thing me an the kid had
little piece Of money ahead" Dextry
resumed later, reverting to the thought
that lay uppermost in his mind, "'cause
we'd be up against it right If we
hadn't. The boy couldn't have amused
himself none with these court proceed
ings, because they come high. 1 call
'em Injuries, like branded peaches an
silk undershirts.
81 don't trust these Jim Crow banks
no more than I do lawyers, neither.
No, street I bought a iron safe an
hauled it out to the mine. She weighs
1900 and we keep our money locked
up there. We've got q Teller named
Johnson watchin' it now. Steal It.?
Well, hardly They can't bust her open
without a stick Of giant which would
rouse everybody in five miles, an they
can't lug her off bodily-she's too
heavy. No. It's safer there than any
place / know of. There amt no alb
scondin' cashiers an all that. Tomor-
rer I'm goin' back to live on the claim
an watch this receiver man till the
things settled"
When the girl arose to go, he accom-
panied her up through the deep sand Of
the lanelike street to the main muddy
| thoroughfare of the camp. AS yet the
planked and graveled pavements which
later threaded the town were unknown,
and the incessant traffic had worn the
road into q Quagmire Of chocolate col
Ored SluSh, almost axle deep, with
which the store fronts, show windows
and awnings were plentifully shot and
spattered from passing teams. When
ever a wagon approached pedestrians
fled to the shelter Of neighboring door
ways, watching a chance to dodge out
again. When vehicles passed from the
comparative solidity of the main street
out into the mOrasses that constituted
the rest of the town, they adventured
perilously, their horses plunging, snort
| ing, terrified, amid an atmosphere of
| profanity. Discouraged animals were
down constantly. and no foot passen-
| ger, even with rubber boots, ventured
of the planks that led from house to
| house.
! To avoid q splashing team Dextry
! pulled his companion close in against
| the entrance to the Northern saloon,
standing before her protectingly.
Although it was late in the after
noon, the Bronco Kid had just arisen
and was now loaf1ng preparatory to
the active duties of his profession. He
was speaking with the proprietor when
| Dextry and the girl sought shelter
! just without the open door, so he
caught a fair though feeting glimpse
of her as she flashed a curious look in
| side. She had never been so close to O
| gambling hall before and would have
liked to peer in more carefully had she
dared. but her companion moved for
ward. At the first look the Bronco
Kid had broken off in his speech and
stared at her as though at an appari
ton. When she had vanished, be
spoke to Reilly:
who's that?''
Reilly shrugged his shoulders: then
without further question. the Kid turn
ed back toward the empty theater and
out Of the back door.
He moved nonchalantly till he was
outside then with the speed of q coli
ran down the narrow planking between
the buildings, turned parallel to the
front street, leaped from board Il
board, splashed through puddles OF
water, till he reached the next alley
Stamping the mud from his shoes and
pulling down his sombrero, he saunter
ed out into the main thoroughfare.
Dextry and his companion had cross
ed TO the other side and were ap
preaching. so the gambler gained {
fair view of them. He searched ever.
inch OF the girls face and figure, then
as she made TO turn her eyes in his di
rection, he slouched away. He follow
ed, however. at distance, till he saw
the man leave her, then on up to tn,
big hotel he Swallowed her. A hal
hour later he was drinking in th,
Golden Gate barroom with an &C
quaintance who ministered to the me
chanical details behind the hote
counter.