Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1908-02-20
THE BUILDERS
BIZ Willis George Emerson
CONTINUED from last weel.)


Boast, almost savagely. Il say we
must be married in two weeks. Then
YOU will go to my fathers and visit
indefinitely OF course l will be alb
sent"
"Why, Arthur" protested Helen,
"you are the most unreasonable man
living-you are, indeed. How can |
be married in two weeks? 1t would
look so strange when it is only so
short time since mamma died.
''lt must be as l say" insisted Ar
thur determinedly, 1t is for your
good l know things that cannot be
explained. You are left alone in the
world, and, Helen-there, don't cry,
little girl You must realize that |
understand what is for thebest, and
that l wish to protect you.' She
,hh8liy yielded reluctantly and thus
tne compact was sealed.
The next day was one long to be
remembered in Gold Valley. Mr. Hill
lard called at the office Of the Pros
de otur and told Fred that they had
1T last reached the five hundred-foot
lev ell Eyes" said the old miner,
with more interest than he had eX-
hibited l)r some time, I'VE have GER
tainly had more trouble, sub, in
sinkin' these last one hundred feet
than all the other distances put to-
gether but we have kept right along,
and finally sub, we are five hundred
feet below the surface. OF cou'se
there's lots OF work yet to be done;
in fact, a powerful lot of cross-cuttin'
into hte vein, but in very short
time, with my present force of men,
the work. will be completed.
ssTtss VprV DrOIId moment of nv
life, SUI, to tell you that after all the
trials and delays we have had, that
finally we are down to the five-hun-
dred-foot level; yes, sub, we are, in
deed.
There's another little matter, Mr..
Rockwell, that l ish to speak to
you about. I'm Soin to be triflle
short of money for the pay roll.
think, possibly, l have, enough for
this comm week. We have num-
Der of men workin', and l am anxious
to keep all OF them until we finish
tcross-cuttin'.
Fred was aghast. He did not knw
what to do. Here was q dilemma
that for moment startled him with
confusion, but he fnally confessed to
Nr hlniard that the siA Clousduu
dollars he had last given him was,
practically, every cent OF ready cash
he had in the world; that he had
written to JudgeAnsley, who had
charge of his estate in New York
city, and the judge interpreted his
fathers will TO mean that 1t was nee
essary for him to live in New York
city to enjoy the annuity from the
estate.
Mr. Hilliard thought for moment
4 al -
self, Mr.. Rockwell; it's matter of
very little Importance, anywaye,
assure you, sub. | know my men.
Most of them have been workin' for
me for over year, and feel per-
fectly confident that they will stand
by me until we finish the cross-cut-
tin, even If | haven't the ready
money with which to pay them.
They're grand lot of fellows; l as
sure they are; and, between you and
me, sub, every one OF them has great
confidence in the Shonbar-wonder-
full confidence"
The old optimist said goodbye to
Fred and started for the mine, while
Fred returned to his work with a
heavy heart. he was far from being
convinced that Ben billiard felt the
confidence in his men that he had eX-
pressed.
The winter was late in coming.
Although it was the first of Novem-
Der, the tair was comparatively mild
and yet invigorating.
That evening Rufus Grim walked
back and forth on his wide porch,
thinking of his own Importance. AT
ter little he went down through the
village, and, following a by-path
along the mountains, continued his
way up towards the old prospect
shaft of the Peacock mine. The
night was still and beautiful; the
moon was in it's last quarter, but it's
rays were obscured by the lazy, drift
ing clouds that hung idly in the
heavens.
Arriving at the old shaft, he took
off his hat and pushed mis- fat fingers
through his heavy hair. He even
unbottoned his coat as he leaned
against the collar of the shaft. Far
below him the lights of Gold Valley
shcne from many windows. He
thought of his home, from which the
CLEANS of light twinkled across the
valley, and of Helen, who in one year
was to be his bride.
es, she loves me-" he muttered
aloud. She's a mighty fine girl.
/ most knew she would marry me-
she's got heap of sense. What a
way she has about her! What little
hands! Gee! 1t was mighty hard
to tell her, but no man, | reckon,
could have done it better than l did.
No, sir; Rufus Grim is always on top
for everything. After the knots tied
Wen go to New York and Washing
ton. Every place we go they'll say
have a queen; you bet they will
They'll all want her, but they amt
no more like her; no, sir. Helen,
the finest name in the world. Yes