Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1909-04-22

marry Rruce listened patiently until
the end. then he looked mp slowly
.-Tten its only because you can't AZ
ford to marry that you don't ask Let
w. demanded Brcce.
Chiswick nodded II seemed the one
insurmountnble objection that he could
advance. He had no intention Of mar
rying Lefty.
She was a pretty child and she had
helped to pass the time. but also there
vas always the hope that his work In
tbs wilderness would result In a call
20 the city. and there Lefty would be
sad hindrsuce.
You needn't worry about that
cried Bruce. You look here, l sup
pose you know the branch they call
Cat creek =
Chiswlck nodded. and Bruce contin-
ued: There is a gulch leading on
that creek with a tall pine at the
mouth. AT the top Of the gulch is
spruce Walk along a line with those
two trees until you come to place
where there Is a cleft IN the rocks un-
derfOoI. YOu stake that claim. and
guess that yOu can afford to be mar
ried-''
Chiswick thanked him profusely. and
By the next night the camp knew that
Chiswick had fallen upon bonanza
''The dErned little fool wasn't even
looking for it, explained one Of the
miners. He just naturally fell up
against 1t. but unless I'm mista, Ken It's
going 10 be the making Of thg camp
Its pity that a man didn't locate IT,"
The sentiment was generally echoed.
but there is no questioning se favors
OF fate. In six weeks development
wOrl, had shown clearly that the mine
was winner. and on the heels of the
assurance came the announcement
that Chiswick had sold third interest
for SsOO.OOO
Then the town looked for the an
nOuncement Of his engagement to Let
II. but the announcement was not
forthcoming. Not until Bruce remind
ed him of their understanding and
threatened to publish him as a liar did
Chiswick speak.
1t vas grudsIng. ungracious pro
posal that he made. but Lefty was too
happy 10 question the degree Of his
enthusiasm. Yet before she uttered a
trembling Yes" she hesitated.
Il wonder what my guardian will
say!" she said with a little shiver.
He doesn't like you. Jack. Perhaps
we can't get married until after come
of age"
"Bruce?" asked Chiswick with a
laugh Why. he put me. wise to this
mine. because / explained that / did
not have enough money to marry on.
| don't suppose that he knew how
good it was. but lie knew 1t was some
thing good. and that shows that he Is
not only willing. but anxious"
lie gave you the mIne-to marry
me-" she Gasped.
Sure" assented Chiswick. Don't
yOu worry about Bruce"
Il am not worrying about Mr..
Bruce" said Lefty. with a sudden
revulsiOn of feeling. 81 don't care
whether he is willing or not. / shall
not marry you" With woman's in
tuition she read the truth.
"But say began Chiswick. Lefty
checked his speech. 81 thought you
wanted TO marry me-" she said. 'I
did not know that dear old Harry had
to bribe you to propose. Please 20
away" And Chiswick went, only too
glad TO escape the scene his blunder
promised to cause.
Bruce coming in that evening to
make certain that all was right found
the girl he loved stin scbbing on the
couch.
And You were so anxious to get rid
OF me that you bribed Jack Chiswick
with mine." she cried when the
cause Of her tears had been explained
Il thought you loved him." explained
Bruce simply. ''and without money
?ou could not have been happy-with
him"
Il can be happy without money
with you" she reminded. and Bruce
took her in his arms. well content TO
lose the mine and find a heart of gold