The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-12-08
PART i.
CHAPTER /.

side of the large chinked-log ROOM
leaned half dozen men. two Of whom
were discussing the relative merits
of spruce tea and lime juice as RENE
dies for scurvy. They argued with an
air of depression and with intervals
Of morose silence. The other men
scarcely needed them. In a row.
against the opposite wall. we're the
gambling games. The crap table was
deserted One lone man was playing
at the faro table. The roulette was
not even spinning. and the gamekeep-
er stood by the roaring, red-hot stove,
talking with a young. dark-eyed WON
an. comely of face and figure. who IVES
known from Juneau to Fort Yukon as
the Virgin. Three men sat in at stud
poker. but they played with small
chips and without enthusiasm. while
there were no onlookers On the floor
Of the dancing room. which opened out
ut the rear, three couples were waltz
ing drearily to the strains of violin
and piano.
Circle City was not deserted. nor
was money tight. The miners were in
from Moosehead creek and the other
diggings to the west, the summer
washing had been good, and the mems
pouches we're heavy with dust and mug
gets. The Klondike had not yet been
discovered, nor had the miners Of the
Yukon learned the possibilities Of deep
digging and wood firing. No work was
done in the winter, and they made a
practice of alternating in the large
camps like Circle City during the long
Arctic night. Time was heavy on their
hands, their pouches were well filed
and the only social diversion to be
found was In the saloons. Yet the IT,
yoli was practically deserted. and the
Virgin. standing by the stove, yawned
with uncovered mouth and said to
Charley Bates:
IF something don't happen soon, I'm
goin' to bed. What's the matter with
the camp. anyway? Everybody dead?"
Bates did not even trouble to reply,
but went on moodily rolling a ciga-
rette Dan Macdonald. pioneer sa-
loonman and gambler on the upper
Yukon. owner and proprietor of the
Tivoli and all Its games. wandered tor
lornly across the great vacant space of
floor and joined the two at the stove.
Anybody dead?" the Virgin asked
him.
Looks like 1t. was the answer.
she said with an air of fnality and
with another yawn.
Macdonald grinned and nodded, and
opened his mouth to speak, when the
'front.' door swung open and a man APP
peared In the light. He would have
appeared large man had not huge
French Canadian stepped up to him
from the bar and gripped his hand.
Hello. Daylight" was his greeting
BY Gar. you good for sore eyes!"
Hello. Louis, when did you-all blow
in?" returned the newcomer. Come
up and have drink and tell us all
about Bone creek. Why, dog-gone
you-all. shake again. Where's that
pardner Of yours? I'm looking for
him"
Another huge man detached himself
from the bar to shake hands. Olaf
Henderson and French Louis, partners
together on Bone creek. were the two
largest men in the country. and though
they were but half head taller than
the newcomer, between them he was
dwarfed completely.
Hello, Olaf" said the one called
Daylight "Tomorrow's my birthday
And you. too, Louis. Come up and
drink. and I'll tell you-all about 1t"
The arrival of the newcomer seemed
to send flood of warmth through the
place. TITS Burning Daylight" the
Virgin cried. the first to recognize
him as he came into the light. Charley
Bates tight features relaxed at the
sight. and Macdonald went over and
Joined the three at the bar. With the
advent of Burning Daylight the whole
place suddenly became brighter and
cheerier. The barkeepers were active
Voices were raised. Somebody
laughed. And when the fiddler, peer
ing into the front room, remarked to
the pianist: TITS Burning Daylight"
the waltz time perceptibly Quickened
and the dancers. catching the conta'
gion. began to whirl about as If they
really enjoyed 1t. 1t was known to
them of old-time that nothing Ian
guished when Burning Daylight was
around.
He turned from the bar and saw the
woman by the stove and the eager
look of welcome she extended him.
Hello, Virgin. old GIRL he called
Hello. Charley What's the matter
with you-all? Why wear faces like
that when collins only cost three
ounces? Come up. you-all, and drink
Come up. you unburied dead. an name
your poison. Come up, everybody
This is my night. and I'm going to
ride it. Tomorrow I'm thirty. and
then Pll be an old man. It's the last
ding of youth. Are you-ali with me?
Surge along, then. Surge along"