The Ely miner., 1911-06-30

, Because" said Barty calmly, and
effectively, there's a snapshot OF
you nailed to the wall of her cabin.
and l knew you as soon as I ever
laid eyes on you"
Lewis gasped. Not a word did he
say until both were in the saddle rid
ing northeast from the valley, straight
up into the hills above Ajados: then
he asked: What's the trouble?"
"She's sick, that's what. She amt
been strong ever since she came out
here in the spring, and the summer
works laid her up. She's got one OF
the women from Channing's to help
her, halfbreed chink, and she's try
ing to be game and stick out her time
and hold the claim down."
why did she take 1t upr Lewis
stared ahead of him. why should
she, of all women in the world. take
up homestead claim"
ASK her yourself" retorted Barty.
"She don't like me. worked for her
in the spring, cutting out timber, and
building her shack for her. and fixing
things to rights. and l didn't want to
take any money for it."
why not?"
| Because l asked her to marry me
instead. So she don't believe in my
good intentions no more"
| II see," said Lewis. He could ina
gine Barty proposing to Ines Condell.
They reached the little clearing at
high noon. The spruce trees grew
close up to the very edge of 1t, and
from the front door one could look
out over miles and miles Of the sweep
ing valleys about Ajados. Molly, the
woman from Channing's, sat In the
doorway, half asleep. She looked
worn out, and tired, but reused up as
the men dropped from their horses
and hobbled them.
"She's better" she told them. shes
been mighty sick, but the fever's gone
now, and she's thinking of going
home and giving up. She amt here
in the house. She's gone down yon-
der to the pines there on the edge of
the gulch."
| 1t was there that Lewis found her.
| oltllAS Ou tu0 IOChS, UCAColA LILO
spruces, her dear, clear cut face
turned toward the far off spot where
the Lewis ranch lay. And just for
once. Lewis found the way clear. He
| had often wondered just how he
| should ask the woman he loved to
marry him, Just what tender, dearest
| words in all the language should win
| her for him, and now, now, he bent
down behind her, aud folded both
| arms closely about her, and as she
tried to struggle he laid his lips on
hers. When she lay stiE in his arms,
he spoke, looking into the eyes that
| faltered at his glance.
did you come out hero on my
account?"
YES" she said; II wanted to show
you that / was not the useless sort OF
brainless toy you thought me. / knew
l could fight this life here with you.
if you"
And 1 dared not ask you. sweet.
| hearth
why not?"
How could 1 ask girl who was
| used to wealth."
But l never was, you dear, dear
goose" she laughed. Il was not an
| honored guest at Ajados at all.
had been visiting a wealthy school
mate, and was asked by courtesy.
| nothing more. l thought at first that
you went because, well, because
Cophetua could not see his way to
marrying the beggar maid this time;
and then Billie told me the truth
about you. and how you were coming
to this section to take up a home
stead claim, and SO / came too"
"We1l use this for summer house
DEAR" said Lewis. THE ranch is
larger and more fitted to honey.
moon"
They strolled back to the shack to
gether, and Barty, watching them as
they came slowly up the path, turned
away and went to get his pony.
Thanks, old man." Lewis told him,
as he put out his hand
Thanks? Man, didn't do 1t for
you. 1t was for her. God bless her."
And he went whistling down the trail
to Ajados.