Gilpin observer., 1910-06-16

an the boy, too, though she wuz
younger'n me by four or five year; but
you've got to try an find EN-"
You never saw your sister after
she arrived in this country. and held
no communication whatever?" asked
the lawyer. making notes.
Meleen shook his head. Il wuz
mighty poor myself in those days, Car.
boy, an'-oh, well, I'd troubles of my
own, an then l drifted west an out
here"
Where was this sister living when
you last heard of herr"
IN York"
How many years ago would that
be?"
Bout 20, reckon"
And her son. If living, is to have
everything?"
That's it," was the emphatic reply.
Gosh! I'll bet he'll be astonished
wherever and whoever he isl"
Doubtless" was Carboy's dry COM
ment. But had you no other kin. Mr..
Meleen?"
Nary kim" was the reply. "There
left orphans when wuz no bigger'n
a shovel"
mo cousins, for instance?" per.
sisted Mr.. Carboy.
Nary cousin"
Were you ever married yourself?"
was the next query. Simple and nee
essary as 1t was under the circum-
stances. and put in colorless, matter
of-fact manner, it's effect on the re-
cumbent figure of old Andy Meleen
was like that Of galvanic battery ap-
| piled to corpse. His nervous and
shrunken frame twitched and quiz
cred; the once mighty chest heaved
as though it would burst asunder;
great beads of sweat broke out on
face and forehead, and his strong
mouth and chin trembled with emo
tions entirely apart from causes due
to age and weakness. Mr.. Carboy
was genuinely distressed at the eff
feet he had SO unwittingly produced
Something in the question had
touched Andy on the raw. In hating
and fragmentary phrases he said:
God forgive me. Carboy. wuz mar
ried, an to the sweetest little woman
that ever trod God A'mighty's foot
stool! l wuz a man full grown then
| As years old-old 'nuff to know bet
ter! l wuz workin' in the Pennsyl-
vania coal mines. "A month after the
weddin' we had a main bitter Quarrel
There KEN strike, an l went out
| along O the rest O. the boys. Minna
didn't like my bein' out O. work, an
told me so. There wuz hot words, an
in blindin' rage l struck her an left
the house. swearin' I'd never go back!
Then, like fule, went an listed for
Uncle Sam. At the f1ghtin' in tn
Wilderness, my fust battle, l got hit
in three or four places, an tn am
bylances left me on the field for dead.
But an old farmer picked me up, an
after putting in year O. hospital
KEN out putty nigh as fit as ever.
Tn war wuz over, an then l heerd
that my wife. my Minna, had died in
her time O. trouble an her girl baby
with her. AS heavens my witness,
I've niyer squared myself with myself
for leavfn' her alone at such time.
tramped west-niver showed my ugly
face east ag'in-an' you know the
rest"
Forgive me for arousing such pain
full memories, Mr.. Meleen," said Car
boy, but the inquiry was inevitable;
we must know where we stand"
Old Andy signified that he heard
and appreciated. The strain of this
long recital had come mighty near to
parting his mortal coil then and there,
and he lay as one indeed very near to
death. Mr.. Carboy waited few min
utes-he was not yet done with his
probings into the past. At length
Meleen opened his eyes once more
and turned them mutely on his in
quisitor. who interpreted that as a
sign for him to proceed.
II presume these matters can be
verified-the time and place of your
marriage and the date of demise of
your wife and child?"
For answer the old miner produced
well-worn leather wallet from under
the blanket which covered him.
You'll find tn dates an names
there" he said family. "Anythin'
more y want t know"
"One other point must be settled:
Suppose this nephew Of yours is dead.
or cannot be found-who is to inherit
in that case?"
Another spasm contorted Andy
rugged features.
1T goes to the state. s'pose; that's
the law, amt lit"
| Carboy nodded.
(TO BE CONTINUED