The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-06-18
Thursday. June Is.
1903.

on the trail before US" grunted the
rhaffbreed, as he heaped up the pine
wood and lighted the fire. They ate
their frugal meal I'm silence and were
soon on up the trail. Pete wanted 10
reach Black Eagle pass by shutdown.
There was plenty OF water and good
place for the mules. he Informed
Parke
All afternoon they rode, now and
then coming TO places In the road
where a mule had slipped. or STUN.
bled. on the steep rocky path. II was
dusk before they reached the pass.
Parke tethered the mules. while Pete
made the fire and cooked the supper
The camp showed recent occupation.
and. after looking around, with the In.
stinct OF the Indian and guide. Pete
informed Parke that whoever was on
the trail was alone. only one mule,
anyway" he said. as he rolled him.
self In his blankets for the night.
All that night Parke lay restless
ana weary, the pale moonlight sift-
ing through the northern night. But
these things had no mystery for him
He only thought OF Clara and the ques-
tioning way she had looked at him.
her sudden disappearance. and. then
who was II that was on the trail ahead
! OF them? He remembered that she
had told him he would need a guide.
How did she know? Then he would
laugh OFF his fears, while all the time
in his heart was that fear and distrust
OF her sex.
Fool. he repeated aloud. Why did
tell her,
They arose at sunrise and were
soon making their way slowly up the
perilous paths. Parke's heart beat
With expectation and his old spirit
seemed TO return TO him as they came
nearer and nearer Pine Knot noun
tain at the base OF which was located
the riches he sought.
The sun was sinking behind the
snow-capped peaks In a riot OF gold
en- glory when they came into the
clearing and in full view OF the rude
| log cabin. Some few hundred yards
away the steel mountain rose males
tically and lowered protectingly over
the little hut. A neat white curtain
was at The one window and a vine
from which the leaves had fallen
chung pathetically TO the little porch
al the front. Al the side was the re-
mains T vegetable gar
den. frost-bitten and bare. In
spite OF the lifeless foliage
the huge gray rocks behind and the
scant pines, there was something
homeiike about this place. and Parke
experienced queer feeling OF appre-
hension. Then he gripped himself
and raped softly.
Instantly. as though waiting for the
signal the door flew open and there
stood Clara, her eyes blazing. her
breath coming til aHiek fittie gasps
Clara" he stammered. falling back
from the door Then IL was YOU on
the trail ahead of me? You came TO
tell these people you knew all about
the claims"
His giant form shook as he went
on, for Parke 1ibbs was not a man
10 be thwarted In business.
You are like all the rest--not 10
be trusted. And I've been a fool
trusted you. believed in you. and you
questioned me and then betrayed
me-"
She stood silent while he denounc-
ed her with all the fury OF his nature.
Al last she spoke. slowly and in that
same voice that had lifted him out OF
the gloom al the Wigwam
MIR Gibbs. am Clara Martin. Hen
ry Martins daughter. My mother and
own these claims. In summer I
work al the hotel; In winter I teach
the school at the mining camp above
us. Since fathers DEATH" tears
came TO her eyes as she spoke. I'VE
have tried to sell the claims-almost
give them away-and--" here her
voice trembled. and we have suffered
so much"
She sank into a chair, her frail lit.
tie form shaking with emotion. great
tears streaming down the pale. hol-
low cheeks
And you came here to cheat us-to
rob us. she went on; Ito take advan.
tage OF us by your superior knowl-
edge"
Don't. Clara" he pleaded. his voice
trembling, and coming nearer TO
where she stood. When You left so
suddenly resolved TO search for you
gs sUUn as got back to beatwUUd IN
ask you to help me. | meant to ask
you to be my wife. to help me to lead
different life To teach me God
and love are more than dollars For.
give me, Clara and don't refuse 10
help me-to at least be my friend
She stood silent until he had fin
ished: then she raised her eyes to
his. He gathered her in his strong
arms and held her close to him, kiss
ing the hot. tearstained eyes and tenn
pies.
Clara" called voice from in.
side.
Yes, mother. Come in," she said
softly. She poked at the huge log
burning cheerily In the wide old fire.
place, at the same time setting a
chair for him Mother. this is the
gentleman TO see about the claims.
We shall have supper before We talk
OF them
During the term OF her engagement
a girl thinks life Is continuous mat.
inee.
>s-s-s-e-s-s-s-s-s-s-e-e-s-
! - CT I'll