The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1909-11-21

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do you know" said Nicola wistfully,
1--WE always wanted him to marry
me-"
you t'inkin' bout marry on some
Teller, eh?" said the other, with an odd
grin. "Waal, wy not? He'll be here all
day an night. S'pose you do it. Mos
anybody wat ain got some wife al
ready will be glad for marry on you,
an mebbe some Teller wat has got
wife too! II you don lax dem an II
you're goin, marry on somebody you
can be wife to me-"
Necia laughed lightly. 81 believe
you would marry me IL l wanted you
to. You've done everything else I've
ever asked. But you needn't be afraid.
I won't take you up" In all her life
this man had never spoken of love to
her, and she had no hint of the dream
he cherished.
While they were talking a boat
had drawn inshore and made fast
to the bank in front Of them. An
Indian landed and. approaching, enter
ed into talk with the Frenchman.
By and by Poleon turned to the girl
and said:
"Dere's hondred marten skin come
In. You min de store vile I max
trade wit dis ma.
Together the two went down to the
boat, leaving Necia behind, and not
long after Runnion sauntered up to the
store and addressed her familiarly.
Hello, Necia! I just heard about
the strike on your claim. That's fine
and dandy"
She acknowledged his congratula-
lions CURLY, for, although 1t was Gus
tomary for most Of the old timers to
call her by her Christian name, she re-
scented it from this man. She chose to
let it pass, however.
"I had some good news last night
myself" he continued. zone of my
men has hit some good dirt, and we'll
know what 1t means in a day or so.
I'll gamble we're into the money big,
though, for l always was a lucky cuss.
Say, where's your father?"
Hes out at the mine."
"We've used up all of our bar sugar
at the saloon, and I want to buy what
you've got"
every well; I'll get it for you"
He followed her inside, watching her
graceful movements and attempting,
with his free and easy i~nsolence, to
make friendly advances; but, seeing
that she refused to notice him, he be-
came piqued and grew holder.
Look here, Necia; you're a mighty
pretty girl. I've had my eye on you
ever since l landed, and the more I see
of you the better l like you"
"It isn't necessary to tell me that"
she replied. 1.-THE price of sugar will
be just the same"
eyes, and you're bright, too" he de-
clared. That's what l like in a wO-
man-good looks and brains. l believe
In strong methods and straight talk,
too-none of this serenading and moon
light mush for me. When I see a girl
l like I go and get her. That's me. !
make love like a man ought to-"
The girl laughed derisively in his
face.
"Now, don't get sore. l mean bust
ness. I'm no soft talking southerner
with gold buttons and highfalutin
ways. l don't care if you are a squaw,
I'll take you"
Don't talk to me!' she cried in dis
gust, her voice hot with anger and re-
sentiment.
But he continued, unheeding: Nov,
cut out these airs and get down to
cases. l mean what / say. l know
you've been casting Sleeps eyes at Bur-
rell; but, Lord, he wouldn't have you,
no matter how rich you get! OF course
you acted careless In going off alone
with him, but l don't mind what
they're saying around camp, for I've
made little slips like that myself, and
we'd get along"
"I1l have you killed." she Kissed
through her clinched teeth. while her
whole body vibrated with passion.
It'll call Po1eon and have him shoot
you!" She pointed to the river bank a
hundred yards away, where the Cana
dian was busy asserting skins.
But he only laughed at her show Of
bChiPCi oho oSS hho ohodidCiS 90
he answered her roughly:
Understand me, I'm OF the square.
So think it over and don't go up in the
air like a skyrocket."
She cried out at him "Go-go-go!"
and finally he took up his bundle, say
Ing as he stepped out slowly:
"All right! But I'm coming back,
and you'll have to listen to me. l don't
mind being called a squaw man.
You're pretty near white, and you're
good enough for me. I'll treat you
right. Why, I'll even marry you II
you're dead set IN 1t. Sure!'
She could scarcely breathe, but
checked her first inclination to call
Poleon, knowing that 1t needed only a
word from her to set that nut brown
savage at Runnion's throat. Other
thoughts began to crowd her brain and
to stile her. The fellows words had
stabbed her consciousness and done
something for her that gentler means
uyop1Id nor hoyo ooCorupliohaH Thou