Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1910-11-17

things are so funny, they make you
creep if you don't want to. You needn't
scowl, brother. you know it's true. Any
body can see it. And why did. these
people come here in those skin clothes?
And why has Tyoga been so worried?
And why won't papa see us, and where
is mother? Do you-oh, tell me-do
you think our mothers dead?" the
child cried, flinging herself in Betty's
lap. I'VE had the loveliest mother, and
she's been gone for so long,"
What was your mothers name.
dear?" questioned Betty, though she
knew before she asked, and felt asham-
ed of the query. She had the hot little
head pressed close to her shoulder and
could feel the rising sobs. The boy
had gone over to the window and was
tapping it modify with his fingers.
"She was Mrs. Cerisse Wayne Hack
leye," replied the child, but we just
called her mother"
Betty's tears mingled with those of
the little girl. II don't know, dear"
she answered. wait till we get a
post and then We'll know"
That's what Tyoga always says"
continued the child. But the post new
err comes here any more. What's your
name?"
Betty Lancey."
And hisn?"
Mr.. Johnson"
And his?"
mr.. Morris"
Mines Paula, and brothers is Wal
ter Hamley," announced the child. I'VE
just call him Walter, though. He's aw-
fully shy. is brother He doesn't wear
mothers picture any more; he SAYS
she's been gone so long that she doesn't
love us or else she'd come back. But
that isn't so. Tyoga went away for a
long time. but Tyoga came back. This
is mother, see?"
She opened the locket around her
neck and displayed to Betty the now
familiar face of Cerisse Wayne.
1t was such beautiful. lovely, mock
ing face but it wasn't a good facet
Betty couldn't held acknowledging that
to herself even as she made her bow
to the witchery of the painted features
before her. There was nothing of the
mother there.
Il hate this place." west o.. Paula.
Il don't like the blacks and don't like
the quiet that's always here. Papa
said he'd take us to England. but since
mother went away he never talks OF
that any more. Papa doesn't seem t.
love us like he did. He was away, too
He's just come home. And 50 cross
Why, the other day he stepped Oh one
of my guinea pigs and killed it, and
| then he killed another and took and
drowned the whole pen full of them in
tl,A xtxr~ l.
. Paula, you've talked enough" child
ed the boy. These folks don't care
| Larry proceeded to make friends with
Walter. and Betty and Johnny kept
Paula amused with a wonderful game
of ball that you make out of your
handkerchief and twirl around from
one to another on two hat pins
Gradually Larry and Walter got into
the fun, and the revel was at its height
when lie Malheureux came into the
room.
| lie Malheureuxi" cried Betty, and
stretched out her hand in welcome.
But the shrouded figure stood aside
Excuse me. please" he protested
so these are your friends? Now they
have found you, 1 hope they may be
able to see you safely home again.
will ask of you, too. a favor. Will yor
take these two helpless children with
you? They belong to my sister. Mrs
Hackleye, known to you as Mrs
Wayne. ] wish they may go to theil
fathers people in England. There is
no one else who can take care of their
and they mustn't stay here any long.
er. No." reading the question in Lar.
RVS eyes. "the father is not dead, bu
he is not well. And 1t is best for then
to CO."
when can we go?" blurted Larry
and where is the father? Didn't h,
| XII"
Betty threw the ball at Larry, ant
1t struck him squarely In the mouth
interrupting the question on his lips
Judge not" cautioned LIE Malheu.
reux. II will dine with you later. after
the children have gone to bed"
The remainder of the day was
catechism by the children. They de.
voured their strange visitors will
questions about the country they hat
never seen, wondered If they would
meet their mother made a thousans
childish plans for the voyage, and drew
lots as to which of their pets they
would take with them. Discussion a.
to the relative merits of white mic,
over guinea pigs and peacocks wal
bordering on belligerenoy when Tyogs
carried the juveniles away to the room
that did duty as a nursery and lef
their impatient elders 70 await III,
coming Of LIE Malheureux.
CHAPTER XIX.