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

on the trail before us" grunted the
thalfbreed, as he heaped-Hp the pine
wood and lighted the IRE. They ate
their frugal meal In silence and were
soon OF up the tran. Pete wanted TO
reach Black Eagle pass by shutdown.
There was plenty OF water and a good
place for the mules, he informed
Parke.
All afternoon they rode. now and :
then coming 10 places In the road
where a mule had slipped. Sor STUN
bled. on the steep rocky path. It 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
and weary. the pale moonlight sift-
Ing through the northern night But
1
He only thought OF Clara and the ques-
tioning way she had looked at him.
her sudden disappearance. and. then
who was IL that was on the trail ahead
OF them? He remembered that she
had told him he would need 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
I 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 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. neat white curtain
was at the one window and q vine
from which the leaves had fallen
chung pathetically 10 the little porch
at the front. AT the side was the re-
mains OF 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. v
Instantly. as though waiting for the
signal, the door few open and there
stood Clara. herr eyes blazing, her
breath coming In quick little gasps.
Clara" he stammered, falling back
| from the door Then II was you on
the trail ahead Of me-? You came to
tell these people you knew all about
the claims!"
on. for Parke Gibbs was not a man
to be thwarted In business
"You are like all the rest-not to
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.
AT last she spoke, slowly and In that
same voice that had lifted him out OF
the gloom at the Wigwam.
Mr. Gibbs. | am Clara Martin, Hen
ry Martins daughter My mother and
| own these claims. In summer
work at the hotel; In winter | 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. land we have suffered
so much"
| She sank into chair, her frail lit
tie form shaking with emotion, great
tears streaming down the pale. hol-
low cheeks.
And you cameI here to cheat us--to
rob u.s." she went'on; ito take advan-
tage OF US by your superior knowl-
ejge!" Il.
Don't. Clara" he pleaded. his voice
trembling, and coming. nearer to
where she stood. when you left SO
suddenly resolved 70 search for you
as soon as got back to Deadwood to
ask you to help me. | meant to ask
you to be my wife. to help me TO lead
a different life. To teach me God
and love are more than dollars. For
| e''C AhNs Stoia, anu uOu TtIuSt "
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, eearstained eyes and TEN.
pies.
Clara" called voice Srom 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
girl thinks life Is a continuous mat
inee.