Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1911-06-02


shadowy pines. but without result.
The camp was in q turmoil of anxiety.
Andy Kendall. returning from late
trip to his sluices, Joined IN the quest
but with no more success than the
others, and at last went to his cabin
to secure a lantern.
In the doorway OF his abode he dis
covered the general who, calm and
imperturbable, was standing with
something foreign in his attitude,
some unaccustomed pose OF independ.
emit determination. The miners quick
eye noted the change. 1t was the first
time he had ever seen him with his
hands In his pockets and suggestion
OF a swagger. He started hurriedly
away with the lighted lantern. and
then. in quick inspiration closely akiS
to divination, whirled abruptly at the
loot OF the steps and faced the boy.
JEAN, he asked in tone of I'M
usual peremptoriness, do you know
where the little o'Shaughnessy girls
are?"
The general paused for a moment
before answering, which hesitancy
was also marked by his guardian;
then. Wien slow grace, shrugged his
shIGiiers until the right one was ele.
waited almost to his ear and answered
very truthfully;
Yes, monsieur, | have them"
The lantern dropped from Big An
dy's hand to extinguishment, while
its globe went tinkling away over the
rocks in cascade of slivered glass
and he started to say: Well, I'll be
-" then thought better of 1t. Right
well he knew Jean Guillot Lafayette.
Would you mind telling me, old
man." he said, with kindly condescen.
sion, where they Iare?"
Again the general considered for an
instant, and then gravely beckoned the
miner inside. He took the suffering
candle from the rough pine table, tip.
toed to his own bunk, carefully de-
posted It on the edge, shielded the wa.
vering fame with one tiny hand, and
with the other gently drew back the
outer blanket.
Soundly sleeping beneath, with their
hair done up in rough little pigtails,
clad In their white nighties and
clasped in each others arms, were
thin O'Shaughnessy kids"
Big Andy Kendall took one look and
ran out OF the cabin and down the
trail shouting to all he met: i've
found 'em! I've found 'emi No need
to look any farther" And when the
searchers clustered around him with
many questions he explained that the
missing ones were then In his cabin,
a0d that he would take care of em
all right through the night"
The miner trampeG slowly up the
hill to where the general was still
standing quietly on the threshold,
went in. closed the door quite softly,
hung his white hat on a peg, and re.
Dlenished the logs in the fireplace be
fore speaking.
Jean" he said. you brought them
here?"
Yes, monsieur"
What are you goln' to do with
them?"
Keep them. monsieur" he respond.
ed with the utmost gravity, seating
himself on the low stool which had
been made for his especial benefit and
watching the sparks that went roar
Ing up the blackened vault
Big Andy waited for q moment and
then ventured another question:
How will you care for them?"
"on re money make-my hundaird
franc. Eet ees a fortune, une bonnie
fortune" He turned to the big man,
peered across the vivid pathway OF
light from the blazing logs. and then
with great wistfulness continued: 81
Jean Guillot Lafayette, am sans fam.
lille. | shall adopt famille. l shall
work vaire hard for famille.''
And leave me-. Andy spoke
very softly and was very curious. fall |
tering note of bitter heart-break In his
voice; some tone suggesting grievoua
disappointment that he who so loved |
the boy should not be taken into con |
sideration.
He had tried, he said to himself, God
knew he had tried to win this love
and had wooed 1t with care; but 1t had
always been elusive and unyielding.
AHSSh uOWI LbSE hll lucSo mOulnS, ua /
was but second In the exile's affections
and the barrier seemed unbreakable,
He bent suddenly forward and leaned
his forehead upon his hand, shielding
his eyes from the dancing glare OF the
flames.
For the first time since they had
met each other the boy crept over ia
him unasked, forced himself ON the
waiting knee and clasped his arms
around the weather-beatsn neck.
Monsieur" he whispered as II
afraid to voice his secret aloud. q
want them Yaire bad; but I could moi
you leave even for them; because ]
luf you vaire much"
Big Andy Kendall Rugged him al
most fiercely and gulped out: Well
you don't have to leave me
You're my little boy. and IL you're
hankerin' after 'em you can have the
little girls. Well take care of 'em, me
and you, and welcome. But l sup
pose." he said as an afterthought. fol
lowing an interval in which they held
each other very tightly. that the
whole blamed camp1l say I've started
an orphan asylum"
The barrier was demolished now for
aver and thew found that after all |