Evening star., 1909-08-22

animal out of hand Van compelled him to receive
a market price. Ponies here were valuable and Dave
had been poor all his life.
Say VAN he drawled when at length the
transaction complete, this camp has set to
thnkin'. It's full of these rich galoots, all havin
easy time If ever git a wad of dough, I'm comm
here and buy five dollars worth of good sardnes and
eat 'em everyone. Never had enough sardines in all
my life.
I'D buy them for you now and sit you down,
said Van, only why start graveyard with friend!
Some woman who had come and gone from Gold
ite had disposed of beautiful side saddle, exposed
in the hay yard to the weather. Van gave fifty
dollars and became it's owner The outfit for Beth
complete. He ordered the best of feed and
attention for her roan bills to be rendered to him
SELF and Fastening off to the jewelers. found his pin
ready and reposing in small blue box Avoiding
number of admiring friends, he slipped round
ner and once more appeared at Mrs Dicks.
PETH was in the dining room alone, Her papers
= were spread on the table She flushed with
the days excitementS.
Van had entered unannounced His active tread
the carpet OF the hall had made no sound.
When he halted in the doorway, transhxed by the
beauty of the face he reflected in the sideboard
mirror opposite, Beth was unconscious of his pres
ence
She was busily gathering up her documents. Her
pretty hands were moving lightly on the table. Her
eyes downcast, focused where she worked.
Only the wondrous addition OF their matchless
brown, thought Van necessary to complete
picture of the most exquisite loveness he had ever
beheld He had come there prepared to be sedate,
Already however a riot of love in his veins.
He loved he fought, with all his strength, with
tidal impetuosty that could scarcely understand
resistance or imagine defeat. To restrain himself
from quick descent on her position and boyish
sweeping of her into his powerful taxing the
utmost of his self control. Then Beth glanced up in
the mirror
The light of her eyes seemed to lquefy his heart.
He felt that mad, joyous organ spread abruptly
throughout his entire being.
She rose suddenly and turned to greet him. why
Stammered i
heard you in town. "
He came toward her quietly enough the jewelers.
box in his hand II called before" he answered in
his offhand way You must have been out with
poor old Searle .
oh she said Poor old Searle? Why poor?"
Il told you why before" " he said boldly, in spite of
himself He was standing before her by the table.
looking fairly into her eyes that dancing boyshness
amazingly bright in his own. You remember too;
you can't forget.
The flush in her cheeks increased Her glance
lowered You didn't give time to rebuke you
for that she answered attempting to assume tone
of severity and failing. You had right. 1t
wasn't nice or like you in the least.
Yes, it nice and like me, he corrected. I've
brought you a nugget from the claim He
opened the box and shook out the pin the table.
She had started to make reply concerning his
actions when leaving that former occasion. The
words were pushed aside. "oh, my!' she said in
little exclamation instead. "A nugget! Gold!
Not from the-not from your claim?"
His hand slightly trembled From the Laughing
Water claim. Named for the girl I'm going to
marry. ;.
She gasped almost audibly. The things he said
were wholly unexpected. almost naked in their
bluntness. THE girl-some girl you Isn't it
beautiful" she faltered helplessly. "Of course l
don't know-how any girl could have such singu-
lar name -
"Yes, you do he corrected in his shockingly
did way. You know when Dave gave her the
name"
Do IT. she asked weakly, trying to smile, and
feeling wonderful welcome sort of fear of the
passion with which he fairly glowed you are
very positive.
He moved trif1e closer, touching the pin with
finger as she held it in her hand His voice slightly