Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-01-10

was soon told Chips conduct and
progress were related by Angie.
Rays plans to remain here another
winter were disclosed by him; and
then, when the cheerful party had
gathered about the evening fire, Mar,
tin touched upon another matter.
II met Herse- as we were coming
In" he said. "e-d he says that neither
Mcclure ror tire half-breed has been
seen or heard OF since early last fall
Hersey came in early this spriag with
one of his deputies; they visited a
half dozen lumber camps, called twice
at Tins Place, and even went over
10 Pete's cabin on the Fox Hole. but
nowhere could they learn anything 81
these two men More than that. no
eanoe was found at Pete's hut. and
s.lere was no sign of occupation at all
this past winter. Nothing could be
learned from Tim, either, although
not much was expected from that
source. 1t is all most mysterious
disappearance, and the last that we
can learn of Pete was his arrival and
departure from Tins Place after we
rescued Chip"
I think both on 'em has concluded
this section was gittin zoo warm for
EN-" remarked Levi, tan they've lit
out"
Its good rio LARGE If they have
answered Cd c., an I'm sartin none
on us'll eve set eyes or lem ag'in"
And Old Cy spoke tie truth, for
none OF this party ever did In fact,
no buaaan being. except himself and
Martin, ever learned the secret that
this mountain-hid lake could tell
But another matter now began to
interest Old Cy--how Ray and Chip
stood in their mutual feelings. That
all was not as he wished, Old Cy soon
guessed from Rays face and actions,
and he was not long in verifying it.
oval, how'd We find the gal?" he
said to, Ray when the chance came,
WAS she glad to see ye2"
Why, yes answered Ray, looking
away, she appeared to be. l wasn't
in Greenvale but two weeks, you
know
Saw her most every eyenin' dur.
in that time, s'pose?"
NO, not every one returned Ray.
vaguely; "her school hadn't closed
when I got home, and she studied
nights, you see''
Old Cy watched Rays face for mo
ment.
II amt pryin' into yer love mat
ters," he said at last. but as I'm on
your side, I'd sorter like to know how
it's progressin'. Want thar nothir
said tween ye-no sort o. promise,
fore We come 'way?"
mo, nothing of that sort" answered
Ray, looking confused, though we
parted good friends, and she sent her
love to you. I'm afraid Chip don't
quite like Greenvale."
Old Cy made no answer, though
smothered ''hur, HI" escaped him at
the disclosure of what he feared.
II wish ye'd sorter clinched matters
fore We left" he said, after pause;
that is, if ye're callatin' to be here
mother winter, It's most too long to
keep gal guessin; sides, faint
right
Ray, however, made no defense, 1,
fact seemed guilty and confused. So
Old Cy said no more
few days later he made pro.
posal that astonished Martin.
i've been here now bout two
years. he said, IAN I'm gittin sorter
Uneasy I callate We kin spare me
couple O weeks"
No intimation of his real errand
escaped him, and SO adroitly had he
laid his plans and timed his move
ments. that when his canoe was packed
and he babe them good-by, no one sus-
pected how valuable cargo it carried.
But Old Cy was more than ''sorter
Uneasy" for the only spot where he
dared close his eyes in sleep during
that three days journey out of the
wilderness was in his canoe, with his
head pillowed on that precious gold.