Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1911-09-12


air stimulated him. The sphinx had
no greater riddle than his.
Mr.. Jones'"
A gloved hand touched the arm of
the youth. He turned to face Janet
Milton.
Il had almost TO rum" began the
girl Indignantly, trying to catch up
TO you. Are you training for a Mara
thon?"
Jones laughed. He shortened his
stride to the length OF her own.
Il wanted to congratulate you" con-
tinued the girl without waiting re-
ply I'VE are all so pleased-father
especially. He is much interested in
you"
Jones stared. 1t occurred to him
that the whole world was going mad.
You congratulate mel" he repeat
ed.
Certainly" answered the girl You
know that l am interested in you"
She flushed prettily. Il am glad that
your future is so assured"
Jones thought of his jobless state.
and the loan that he had so recently
accepted from his landlady. He saw
anything but an assured fortune ahead
of him. He grinned
1T is nice of you to be interested
in me-" he said, but really, l don't I'M
derstand."
Janet smiled up at him with a light
in her eyes that brought the old mex
plicable thrill.
You are modest" she said softly.
I'VE know all about it; we can't help
but know all about it, of course. You
are certainly entitled to your rare
good fortune. We are glad-father
and mother, and THAT it could have
been YOU"
But" interposed Jones, politely
striving to get head and tail to the
mystery. Il don't"
20, here comes father now" inter-
rupted the girl gaily.
A tall, lean man, stern-faced, and
with iron gray hair, came up to them
and promptly seized the hand of
young Jones in a strong, firm clasp.
Lucky fellow" he said. Il am
glad that it was you-and, by Jove,
you didn't know-thats the funny
part of it,
Jones felt like saying that, as a mat
ter of fact, he didn't know yet, but
Milton pere was keeping up run
ming fire of conversation
ri have been watching you for some
time" continued Janet's father, and
I guess 1t Is too late to speak of
that now-I had intended to do some
thing for you shortly-but here comes
Forbes. | must speak with him. Don't
forget to call-soon" With another
cordial shake of the hand Milton
turned away.
! For a while Jones and the girl
strolled on in silence.
Janet"
The youth had at last come to a
decision
Janet, would you mind telling me
explaining-what you and your
father mean-what you we're talking
about when you spoke of my good for
tuner"
The girl stopped to stare at him in
surprise
why, what do you mean?" she de-
manded. Surely, with the papers full
of it, you must realize that we couldn't
help but know about your wonderful
inheritance"
1t was Jones' turn to stare.
Can 1t be-" continued the girl,
that you, of all people, haven't
heard? Haven't you read the papers ?
Haven't the lawyers come to your"
"One question at time" laughed
Jones. "But-no to all of them.
don't know a thing about it."
The girl unused for a moment
do you remember that once back
in Rousville you rescued an old man
from drowning in Snail creek?"
Yes" answered the youth. AN
old pauper who was walking to New
York, | believe; he was very grateful,
as l remember"
THAT old pauper,' as you call him, "
continued the girl, owned an inven.
ton that was financed after he reach
ed the city, and his royalties amount
to over a million dollars. He died
yesterday. He had no relatives, and
he left all his great fortune to you.
The papers published the story today
in full.
Both were silent for a moment.