Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-01-23

by what miracle had he been so altered
as 10 look upon himself with loath-
ing1
He lifted himself upright. dropping
his feet to the floor. At the movement
the man Oh the doorstep rose quickly
add came forward.
You're better. Hugh" be said Take
II easy though. Don't get up just yet
I'm going to cook you some breakfast"
He turned to the hearth. kicked the
smOlderinS log ends together and set
a saucepan on them. you'll be stron-
ger when you've got something be-
tween your ribs" ne added
"How long have ! been lying here7''
asked Harry.
"only since last night. You've had a
fever"
where is my dogT'
"Dogf" said the other. az never
knew you had one"
narry's lips set bitterly 1t had Jared
more hardly. then. than he. It had
been a ready object for the crowd 20
wreak their hatred upon. because II
belonged TO hlm-because il was Hugh
Stlres' dogi
"Is this your cabin. my friend1"
The figure bending over the hearth
Strengthened itself with n jerk. and
the blinking yellow eyes looked hard
Mt him. Prendergast came close to the
bunk.
That's the game you played in the
town." he said, with a surly sheer.
IT'S all right for those that take Il
in. but you needn't try 60 bamboozle
me. pretending you don't know your
own claim and cabini I'm no such
fooly'
A dull flush came 70 Harry's brow.
Here was a page from that iniquitous
past that faced him. His own cabin.
And his own claim. Well why uot2
You are mistaken" he said calmly.
II am not pretending cannot re-
member you"
PrcnderGast laughed I'm an ugly. de-
risive way. i suppose you've for
gotten the half year we've lived here
together and the gold dust we've gath
cred I'm now and again-sllpped It all.
have your"
Harry stood up. The motion brought
n temporary dizziness, but Il passed.
lie walked to the door and gazed OUT
on the pleasant green OF the hillside.
On tree near by was nailed a rough,
weather beaten board on which was
scrawled. THE Little Paymaster
Claim" lie saw the grass grown
gravel trenches. evidence OF abandon
ID work. He had been a miner. That
I'm Itself was honest toll
"The claim IS good. them" be said
payf"
Prendergast contemplated him a mo-
ment In grim silence, with "a scowl
you're either really fuddlcd Hugh"
he said then. "or else you're q star
play actor and up 20 something deep
Well. have Il your own way-it's all
the same 60 me. But you can't Pull
the wool over nay eyes long,"
There ware mockery and threat in
his tone; bat. more than both. the evil
intimacy In his words gave Harry a
qualm of disgust. This man had been
his associate. That one hour in the
town had shown him what his own
life there had been.
ever the neighborhood where he had
made his blistering mark? Fling all
aside and start again somewhere and
leave behind this dlsgraceful present.
with that face that had looked into
his from above the dusty street,
II fate Intended that, why had Il
turned him back? II such was the
bed he had made, ne would lie in It,
he would drizk the gall and vinegar
without Whispering. Whatever lay
behind he would live Il down. This
man at least haG befriended him.
he turned into the room. perhaps |
shall remember after awhile" He took
the saucepan from Prendergast's hand
III cook the breakfast" he said
Prendergast hl.ed his pipe and watch
ed him. Il guess there are bats In your
belfry. sure enough. Hugh" he said at
length. You never offered TO do your
stint before"