The enterprise-recorder., 1908-12-24

walt. ETuUDlu5 dWo9 SAA NHs-N
claim in Alaska" she said.
Eyes, It pays to wait when one has
a feeling about It,
you mean a doubt of the wisdom
of leaving a thing?"
THAT'S it. There have been lots
of us" he continued. Il tell you five
wears makes an awful difference. The
isolation, the rough life, the doing for
oneself, rarely seeing a woman and
never a cultured. refined lady grow a
coast Of fur all right. But I've made
my pile if have lost FIVE years OF real
living. I'm satisfied"
Surely" said the woman. mot all
are as fortunate"
That's the worst OF It. It is, heart
breaking to think of some feHows'
gentlemen, you know-confdent Gag
er. impatient, anxious to strike quick
luck and to go home with flying col
ors, They can't wait. They get TO
roaming. and heaven only knows
where some of them land. One loses
all trace, but now and then"-He
paused for moment, half smiling.
Pauline Allard had grown pale. Her
caller did not notice the droop Of the
fair head. He went on speaking.
1--WE felt mighty sorry for one chap.
We were real friendly. He couldn't
wait. | took over his little claim for
trife. 1t was next to mine, Bless
you, it proved the richest dirt Of all
when l got to working it deep. He
was daft on surface finds. And of
went my hopeful acquaintance in spite
of entreaties. FUNNY"
Again he smiled Gueerly.
"Mr. Winch must be delighted to
have you here" remarked Pauline ab.
sently. Her thoughts were wandering
in a dreary vista of toiling, disappoint
ed men, far from their homes, reck.
less, proud, the sort that never would
come back bearing the brand Of fail
ure.
"Oh, Carson, yes" returned Wick
ham. Hes a decent enough fellow
after his fashion-I-I-I beg pardon!
There, Miss Allard, you see how a
man blunders when he has led such O
life as mine-no tact. l meant TO say
that Winch is a splendid chap person
nally, but I'm not used to these smart
successful men. We have had con
siderable correspondence since he
heard l was doing well-a schoo
friend, you know, and, of course, in
terested. Welcomed me royalty.
couldn't say too much for Carson. He
has been most kind and confidential
+ was thinking Of him in a business
+ way. We don't exactly agree abou
investments. That was what | hat
in mind. Ahem!"
Pauline'5 amused smile was seren
! ity itself
. Il don't think a gentleman shoult
count his chickens and tell tn,
y. neighbors, do you?" she asked mis-
p chievously,
I "Ah! l misunderstood; jumped a
n conclusions; entirely my fault" Wick
4 hams blood showed redly througl
q his tan, and he stammered.
you are a delightful bear" obsery
r ca IeullHs pldCluly' Maybe / WI
r become Mrs. Witch some day, II tina
r will relieve you. | shan't promise
n The wind, however, points in that d
q rection."
,. They smiled at each other for fe,
moments, and then Pauline said Sc,
,s iously:
r. Mr., Wickham, like you. 1 tru'
n you. am going TO ask you a que
{. tion. What you may surmise will b
n. a secret between us forever"
ct She stopped at her desk an
a. brought forth the photograph. tn
In mans face set. He was averse I
ID sudden condolences. There was
tenseness in her graceful figure thi
" seemed unnatural. He coughed u
Id easily.
Is Il want you to look at this" sa
n Pauline. Il want TO know II in yol
ry travels you have ever met the origi
lal?"