Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1911-04-20

| TO ask her why she had come. 1t was
mere neighborliness. and not for him,
but for his mother. He remembered
the Saturday evening quite clearly
now: Japheth's shout; the two men
springing on him; the instant just pre-
ceding the crash of the blow when he
had recognized one of his assailants
and guessed the identity of the other.
1T was no more than right that you
should come" he said, bitterly. ut
was the least you could do. since your
She was moving toward the door, and
his ungrateful outburst had the effect
of stopping her. But she did not 60
back to him.
Il owe your mother anything she
likes to ask" she affirmed, in the same
colorless tone.
And you owe me nothing at all, you
would say. 1 might controvcrt that.
But no matter; we have rAssed the
Saturday and have come to the We'd
nesday. Where is Normany Hasn't
he been here?"
He has been with you almost con-
stantly f; m the srst. He was here
less than N hour igo."
Where Is he W"
She hesitated. There is urgency of
some kind in yo-4a business affairs.
Your father spent the night in South
Tredegar; and a little while ago he
telephoned for Mr.. Norman-from the
iron works. l think" She had moved
away again, and her hand was on the
door-knob
You are in desperate hurry.
aren't your" he gritted; though the
teeth grinding was from the pain it
cost him to move. Would you mind
handing me that desk telephone before
you go?"
IF you wish to speak to some one,
perhaps 1 could do it for you" she sug-
| gested, quite in the trained nurse tone.
If you could stretch your good will
| TOTO my mother-that far" he sail.
| please call my office-number five
| twenty six-G-and ask for Mr.. Nor
| man."
She complied, but with only a strange
young woman stenographer at the 9TH
er end of the wire, word of explana-
ton was necessary. This is Miss
Dabney. at Woodlawn. Mr.. Gordon s
better, and he wishes to say-what did
you want to say?" she asked, turning
tc him.
Just ask what's going on; If it's
Oiiiidu YOU We SOt, lie IL KNOW, Sdlu
Tom, sinking back on the pillows.
What the stenographer had to say
took some little time. and Ardea's col
or came and went In hot flashes and
her eyes grew large and thoughtful as
she listened. When she put the ear
riece down and spoke to the sick man.
her tone was kinder.
There is an important business
meeting Qnino Of tba I'm
office. and Mr.. Norman is there with
your father" she said The stenog-
rapher wants me to ask you about
some papers Mr. Norman thinks you
NAV have. and"
She stopped in Difference to the vel
low pallor that was creeping like a Gu
rious mask over the face of the man
In the bed. Through all the strain of
the last twenty hours she had held her
self well in hand. doing for him only
what she might have done for a sick
and suffering stranger But there were
limits beyond which love refused to be
driven.
Toni" she gasped. rising quickly to
go to him.
Wait" he muttered; "let me pull
myself together. I'm weaker than a
girl" he whispered. VINCE mean
the thug, hit me lot harder than he
needed to. What was l saying ?-oh,
yes; the papers. VIII you-win YOU
go over there in the corner by the door
and look behind the mopboard? You
will find piece of it sawed so 1t will
come out. In the wall behind it there
ought to be a package
She found it readily-a thick packet
securely tied with heavy Irvine and a
little charred at the corners.
That's it," he said, weakly. Now
one more last favor; please send Aunt
'Phrony up as you go down. Tell her
l want my clothes"
You are not going to get up?v she
said.
Yes, must; I'm due this minute at
that meeting down yonder."
Indeed, you shall do no such insane
thingi" she cried. What are you
thinking Oft"
"Listenl" he commanded. MY faith
er has worked hard all his life, and he's
right old now. Ardea. If l shonld fail
him-but I'm not going 10. Please send
Aunt 'Phrony."
She consented finally, and as she was
leaving him. she said:
Il hope your mother is still asleep.
She was here with you all night. AMI
Mr.. Norman and l made her go to bed
at daybreak. If you must go, get out
of the house as quietly as you can. ana
I'll have Pete and the buggy waiting
for you at the gate"
Ito be continued.)