The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1909-12-03


Marry Jane ?" Jorkin asked.
Yes; how'd you guess ?"
Your girls name. You and luke
were running neck and neck when
left. I'm Jorlin."
MuIvaney stared. "Oh, yes" he
said; you were sweet on Jane, too.
Well, she's dead. Died In '98. Pneu-
monia"
Jorlzin nodded repeatedly, but made
no audible remark. His lips were
compressed. Suddenly he looked
at the far end OF the room and laugh
ed. 1t was not pleasant laughter, and
yet there was no malice In it, He
moved his hand toward the jug and
hesitated. Il guess I'm drinking too
much" he said, in clearer voice than
he had yet used. Say, T." he
hemmed. Better have something to
eat, he finished, as he stood up.
Thanks wouldn't mind. You
must lead a very lonesome life of 1t
UP here I" Mulvaney shivered. "A
month of 1t would put me picking the
fuzzies. How do you stand it,
What's the charm in 1t anyhow, Jor-
kin p
Cold" Jorkin grunted, waggIlng
= Ah6tAf N0Nh hNtN ~ MdEs
Had a partner years ago, but he blew
out. Didn't like the prospects. /
stuck. Yes, it's there, in chunks"
Glad TO hear t." Mulvaney said,
doubtfuily. "Td rather be mine
mucker and have other memories than
these
"Oh, this isn't so bad when"--he
furtiyely glanced down the room
when I'm quite alone I get both
cred sometimes. Wasn't
thinking OF you. Been
bothered for now going on TO year"
He paused with side Of bacon in one
hand and a knife appraised ready TO
slice. lis there a doctor in Black
Valley q he inquired with studied
carelessness.
-Four Aren't telling very well
Better go down and see Perkins: he's
the best This nd be the devil OF a
place to be sick In and alone"
Yes. II is." Jorbin put the frying
pan on the fire and a kettle on the
hob Tea or coffee p he asked.
Either A man like you don't look
as II he could have an attack Of nerves,
and yet, somehow"
Corn or peas 2" Jorkin asked al
fsAR FAhAs hahAtANhf VI NNMA nv
Either. You are pretty snug"
Have TO be. Rather monotonous.
even at that. except when / run up
against something like that grizzly
was. He made excitement Ate seven
bullets before / bagged him. But YOU
can't shoot" Again he glanced down
the room while his lips tlghtened. lie
took the jug. Il must have another
HFtnE - la sVFnIunFfvasNs -
Mulyaney nodded: CommIseration
too yisibly showed on his open face.
Its a lonely life" he commented
again. Jorhn noted and grew silent
while he prepared the meal. He
spoke little as they ate. and when
offering his tobacco he did so without
words. Mulyaney tried 10 talk Of
ancient days, OF youth. and green
Ohio farms and comfortable rural
villages OF the vanished times, but
Joridn was unresponsiye
The guest laid his pipe aside. Il
suppose I'd better be moving" he
said. glancing through the window
The storms lighter than II was. How
far Is II 10 Alameda p
"A matter Of ten miles" Jorkin
hemmed Say" he began. unensily
emu A'AAAAiAfa NEhftAs nat LNN use
of going on ? I'm coy here and the
sun'll be out tomorrow We haven't
had chance TO talk about things vet
My hunks wide. Nobody but me and
nobody hut me has slept In II since
my pardner. Pidgin. left"
Thanks, no. You Mulyaney
warmed To his companinn--"I want
Jane to get the best that's going, aud
I
good for her, but II takes money. 4
cant let luke do II all So the sooner
| .hit Job the better for me. IN
PIKE on. Want 10 see
her picture ?" he asked, and fumbled
In his shirt
Jane p
The new one" He exhibited
locket
Jorkin shook bis head while he
held the locket close 10 hIs eyeg.
Looks like you" he said. shortly
but It's James mouth" They stood |
a moment so you won't stay ?" he
finished
Cant very well. But I'm coming
10 see you some time. It's good 10
meet any one from home. Look me
up at Rounce's office, won't you ?"
Jorkin nodded he did not press his
invitation, but as he stood IN the door
way and watched Mulvaney's figure
vanish through the storm. he repeat
eddy shook his head, and a yellowish
pallor grew about his lips. Mulvaney
was gone some minutes before JOrkIn
turned into his cabin and shut the
door. At the far end OF the room his
double stood, and as Jorkin looked
the hailucinatory Jorkin made faces;
and the prospector perforce laughed.
lie always laughed when the double
made faces, though there was nothing
iunny about H. Rather, II was ghast- !
~ Whisky scented the room. and
Jorkin sat at his table. playing soil
taire. The wind died 10 a faint muir
muir and the twilight fell. Jorkiu
threw wood on the FIRE, went TO the
cupboard and brought a buckskin
bag to the table. There was much
gold there, for the lode he had opened
was free-milling, rotten quartz, and
az odd times Jorkin had pulverized
the richest portions and had washed
the dirt In an ancient rocker.
He took pen and bit the nub for
long time. Night came, and he
lighted a wayering candle. Yes
he said aloud, nodding to his double.
the money to the finder, and the
mine to-, | reckon it'll stand, see
ing haven't a living relative 10 con-
test It, eh 2" The apparition nodded.
D--n whisky !" he exclaimed, and
took a deep drink. Then Jorlin made
his will. There !" Ne said, sinking
back In his rocker II reckon don't
let old luke pay for the schooling OF
my girls kid" He saw his double
moving and mechanically he laughed.
Guess I've lived too long for Jorkin
and Jug" he said. He stared down
The room Il thought maybe I'd 60