Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1911-05-18
FRANCIS LYNDE

10 live on. 1 made Colonel Duxbur,
lose 1t. and
Not another word. II you please.
can't do your errand in this, and
wouldn't If 1 could"
You think / ought to be generous
and give 1t to him. anyway, do you ?"
don't presume to say" was the
cool rejoinder. when you have come
rully to your right mind, you will know
what to do. and how to go about It,"
He crumpled the check, thrusting II
into HIS pocket. and made two turns
about the room before he said:
I'll see them both hanged hrsti"
Very well; that Is your own affair."
He fell to walking again, and for a
full minute the silence was broken only
by the murmur of mems voices in this
library adjoining. The Major had com
pany, 1t seemed
This is 'good-by,' Ardea; I'm going
tomorrow. Can't we part friends?" he
said, when the silence had begun to
rankle unbearably.
you've hurt me-" she declared turn
Ing again to the window.
You've hurt me, more than once"
he retorted. raising his voice more than
ne meant to; and she faced about
quickly, holding up warning finger.
Mr.. Hennikar and Mr.. Young Dick
son are in the library with grandpa
They will hear you"
L don't care. 1 came here tonight
with heart full of what few good
things there are left In me. and you
you are so wrapped up in that beggar
that I didn't kill"
"Hush!" she commanded, impera-
lively. Grandfather has not heard:
he knows nothing. and he must
new"
The murmur OF voices in the adjoiu-
Ing room had suddenly become a storm,
with the smooth tones of Mr.. Henniker
vainly trying to allay It. In the thick
Of 1t the door of communication flew
open and white haired, fierce nous
tached figure of wrath appeared on the
threshold. For moment Toms boy
ish awe of the old autocrat of Deer
Trace came uppermost and he was
tempted to run away. But the wrath
was not directed at him. Indeed, the
Major seemed not to see him
What's all this I'm hearing now for
the ve'y first time about these heah
low down, schemin scoundrels that
want to mix thei-uh white-nigReh
blood with ouhs?" he roared at Ardea
quite beside himself with passion
Wasn't 1t enough that they should use
my name and rob my good friend Ca
leb? That snivelin young houn'-dog
must pay his cou't to you while"
The Majors face had been growing
redder, and he choked in sheer poverty
OF speech. Moreover. Tom had come
between; had taken Ardea In his arms
protectingly and was fronting the fire.
brand Dabney like a man.
That's enough. Major" he said. de-
family. You mustn't say things you'n
be sorry for after you cool down a bit.
Miss Ardea Is like the king: she can
do no wrong"
There was gasping pause, the
sound of big man breathing hard,
followed by the slamming of the door,
and they were alone together again.
Ardea crying softly. with her face hid
den on the shoulder of shielding.
"Oh, isn't it terrible?" she sobbed;
and Tom held her the closer.
Never mind" he comforted You
know he will be heartbroken when he
comes to himself. You are his one eve
lamb, Ardea.
Il know" she faltered; but o Tom!
1t was 80 unnecessary; so wretchedly
lists more than two
whole months since-since Vincent
Farley broke the engagement, and
He held her at arms length to look
at her. but she hid her face In Ter
hands.
Broke the engagement" he exclaim-
I'D. almost roughly. why did he do
that?"
She stood before him with her hands
'iasped and the clear-welled eyes meet
ng his bravely.
Because I told him ! told him /
Gould not marry him without FIRST tell
ng him that loved you, Tom; that
lad been loving you always and In
'pite OF everything" she said.