Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1911-04-14
CHAPTER XXII.-(Continued).

Later in the day, Tom crossed the
pike to the oak shingled office Of the
Chiawassee Consolidated. His father
was deep in the new wage scale sub
mitted by the miners union, but he
sat up and pushed the papers away
when his son entered.
Have you seen this morning Trib-
une?" asked Tom. taking the paper
from his pocket
mo; don't make out to find much
time for It before I get home O. nights"
said Caleb Anything doin'7"
Yes; they are having hot time in
Chicago and Pullman. The strike Is
spreading all over the country on SYM
pathy lines"
Reckon it'll get down to us in any
way?" queried the iron master.
You can't tell. ia be little easy
with Ludlow and his outfit on that
wage scale. If I were you. We don't
want a row on our hands Just now.
Farley might make capital out Of IT,"
Tom took an electric car for the foot
Of Lebanon on the line connecting with
tho inclined railway running up the
mountain to Crestcliffe Inn. He had
not seen Ardea since the midwinter
night of soul-awakenings; and Alectos
finger was still pressing on the wound
inflicted by the closed doors Of Noun
tain View avenue and his fathers dis
directed sympathy.
He found Major Dabney on the hotel
veranda. and his welcome was not
scanted here. at least The moment
being suspicious. Tom sounded the
master of the Deer Trace coal lands on
the reorganization scheme. and found
nothing but complaisance. Whatever
Encouragement commended itself to
Tom and his father. and to Colonel
Duxbury Farley. would be acceptable
to the Major.
Il reckon 1 can trust you, Tom, and
my ve'y good friend, youth fatheh, to
watch out for Ardea's little fo'tune,"
was the way he put It, II had planned
to give her little surprise on her
wedding day: suppose you have the
lawyehs make out that block of new
stock to Mistress Vincent Farley In
stead of to me?"
"Of course, Major Dabney, II you say
90. But wouldn't 1t be more prudent
to make 1t over in trust for her and
her children before she becomes Mrs.
Farley?"
Tell me, Tom. have you had youth
suspicious in that qua'teh, too? I'm
speaking in confidence to family
friend, sub"
1T is just as we'll to be on the safe
side," said Tom. evasively. There was
enough of the uplift left to make him
reluctant to strike his enemy in the
dark.
mo. sub, that isn't what mean.
You've had youh suspicious aroused.
Tell me. sub, what they are"
Suppose you tell me yours, Major"
smiled the younger man.
Major Dabney became reflectively
reminiscent. II don't know, Tom, and
that's the plain fact Looking back
oven Duh acquaintance, thahs nothing
in that young man for me to put fin
geh on: but. Tom, l tell you in conf
dence, sub, I'd give Ave yeahs of my
old life, II the good Lord has that many
mo- in His book for me, If the blood
of the Dabneys didn't have to be-uh-
mingled with that of these heah Yam
KEGS. would. for a fact subj"
Then you'll let me place your third
of the new stock in trust for her and
her children?" he said. THAT will be
best, on all accounts. BY the way,
where shall l find Miss Ardea?"
She's about the place. somewhahs,"
was the reply; and Tom passed on 10
the archaeological lobby to send his
card in search of her.
Chance saved him the trouble. Some
one was playing In the music room and
he recognized her touch and turned
aside to stand under the looped por-
there's. She was alone. and again. as
many times before. 1t came on him with
the sense of discovery that she was
had no peer among women. There
was no greeting. no welcoming light In
the slate-blue eyes; and she did not
seem to see when he came nearer and
offered to shake hands.
i've been talking to your grandfath-
er for an hour or more" he began, and
i was just going to send my card after
you. Haven't you a word OF welcome
for me. Ardea 2"
DO you think you deserve a welcom.
from any self-respecting woman?" she
asked, in low tones.
, why shouldn't II" he demanded
what have l done to make every
woman l meet look at me as If l were
a leper?"
You know very well what you have
DONE" she said evenly. IF you had a
spark of manhood left In you. Won
would know what a dastardly thing Won
are doing now In coming here to see
me-"
We'll, 1 don't" he returned, logged
ly. And another thing: I'm not to be
put off with hard words 1 ask Won
again what has happened? Who has
been lying about me this timer"
You were intending to walk down 10
the valley?" she asked.
He nodded.
II will walk with you to the clifr
edge"
1t was a short hundred yards. and
there were many abroad In the grav-
eled walks: lovers in pairs, and groups
of young people pensive or chattering.
So 1t was not until they stood on the
very battlements of the western cliff
that they were measurably alone.
Has no one told you what happen
ed last March-on the day of the Ice
storm" she asked colby.
No"
II used to think knew you," she
said. faltering. but don't. Why don't
you despise hypocrisy and double deal
ing as you used tor"
Il do; more heartily than ever"
sr--' II Is terrible thing to say