Evening star., 1909-08-29
CHAPTER XIII.
Beth's Desperation

Beth's Desperation
T1HE following day in Goldite of occur
/ rences all or less intimately connected
with the affairs of Van and Beth. Bostwick
ceeded in making an early start to the southwark
in his car McCoppet had provided not only couple
of guides to the field where Lawrence was
working, but also tent provisions, and blankets,
should occasion arise for their
Beth informed by her fance that word had
arrived from her brother, to whom Searle said he
meant to GO The business of buying Glenvilles
mine he said, required unexpected despatch. Per-
haps both he and Glen might return by the end OF the
week
Bv that mornings train the body of Culver was
shipped away and the camp began to forget him.
The Sheriff was after Cayuse
Early in the afternoon the body of the girl who had
never been known in Goldite by any save that
of Queeny was buried in hillside, already called in
to requistion final resting place for such
cumbed in the mining camp, too far from friends, or
too far lost to be carried to the world outside the
mountains. Half dozen women attended the
somewhat meager rites. There mourner
only, the who had run to summon Van, and
later had waited by the door.
A T four o'clock THE Goldite News" appeared in
4 the streets of the camp 1t contained much orig
nal matter or SO at least claimed The account OF
the murder of Culver, the death of Queeny, and
the threatened 1ynching of Van Buren, made
highly sensational story. 1t was given the promi-
nent place; for the editor was proud to have made
it SO full in time he deemed rather short On the
second page a tale less tragic.
1t was according to of it's many subheadings
humorous OutcTop concerning two maids and
man.. " 1t related, with many gay sallies of wit,
how Van had piloted ]. Searle Bostwick into the
hands of the convicts recently escaped, packed off
his charges, Miss Beth Kent and her maid and
brought them to Goldite by way of the Monte
Cristo mine in time to behold the discounted en-
of the said ]. Searle Bostwick in prisoners
attire. Bostwick described having been on
his ear toward Van ever since.
In the main the account was fairly accurate
Gettysburg Napoleon and old Dave had overtalked
during certain hquefying processes The matter was
out beyond repair.
Mrs Dick prompt in pouncing the story:
hence Beth presented with copy In the
natural ANNOYANCE she felt when it was read there
was consolation at least: Searle away to
be gone perhaps two or three days. He might not
the article, which would be forgotten in the
camp.
To culminate the days events that evening Elsa
away. She went with gentleman lodger
after having been married by a Justice of Peace
RETH discovered her loss too late to interfere She
- felt herself alone indeed with Bostwick away, her
brother off in the desert, and Van She refused to
think of Van. Fortunately Mrs Dick was more
than merely friend; she stanch little warrior
protector and Champion to anger whom
healthy Despite the landladys attitude of friendli-
ness, however, Beth felt wretchedly alone. 1t
terrible place. She was cooped up all day within
the lodging house, since the street full of
more than she cared to encounter and with life all
about her, and wonderful days spreading after
another across the wide open land, her liberties
fairly cage.
From time to time she thought of the horse await
ing her order at the hay yard She tried to con-
vince herself that she would accept ride the
animal. She certain she resented everything
Van had done. She felt the warmest indignation
at herself for breaking into bits of song for glowing
to the tips of her for letting her heart leap wild
y IN her breast whenever she thought OF the horse
Two days went by, and she chafed at all restraint