The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-06-02

1AS A5H-Laade mound out beneath the
shadoWy pines. but without result.
The camp was in turmoil Of anxiety
Andy Kendall. returning from a Iats
trip to his sluices, Joined il the quest
but with no more success than tbs
others, and at last went to his cabin
70 secure = lantern
In the doorway Of his abode he dis-
covered the general who, calm and
lmpertuEbabIe, was standing with
something foreign In his attitude.
some U1sccUstomed pose Of fudepeud-
ent determination. The miners quick
eye noted the change. II was the first
time he had ever seen him with his
hauds in his pockets and q suggestion
q sEagger. He started huTriedIy
away with the lighted lantern and
then. In quick inspiration closely akin
10 divination. whirled abruptly at the
loot OF the steps and faced the boy.
Jean ne asked in q tone Of IN
usual peremptoriness, do you know
where the little O'Shaughnessy girls
sre?'
The general paused for a momeu,
before answering, which hssitancy
was also u4rked by his guardian:
then. win SLOW grace, shrugged his
s''s1niers until the right one was eIe-
'atsd almost TO his ear and answered
very fruthfuIIy:
Yes, monsieur, have them"
Ine lantern dropped from Big An
dy's hand to extinguishment. while
Its globe went tinkling away over the
rocks in q cascade Of sliVered gEass
and he started to say: Well, III be
then thought better Of il Right
well he knew Jean Guillot Lafayette.
Would you mind telling me, old
man. he said, with kindly confesceu-
sion, where they are?"
Again the general considered for an
instant and then grzveFy beckoned the
miner inside. He took the suffering
candle from the rough pine table. IT'D
toed TO his own bunk, carefully de-
posted it on the edge, shielded the wa
Tering fame with one tiny hand and
WIFE the other gently drew back the
outer blanket.
Soundly sleeping beneath, with their
halr done up in rough little pigrzils,
clad in their white nighties and
clasDed in each others arms, were
thin 'Sbaughnessy kids
Big Andy Kendall TOOK one lock and
ran out Of the cabin and down the
trail shouting TO all he met: I've
found en-! I've found EN-. No need
TO look any farther" And when the
ssarchers clustered around him with
many questions he explained that the
missing ones we're then in his cabin.
a>d that he would take care Of EN-
AL right through the night"
The miner trzmped 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 q peg, and re-
Dlenished the logs in the fireplace BE-
fore speaking.
Jean" he said. you brought them
here"
Yes, monsieur"
What are yOu goin' 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 a moment and
then Tentured another question:
How will you care for them?"
On ze money uake-my hundairt
franc Eet ees q fortune, une bonns
fortune" He turned to the big man,
peered across the vivid pathway OF
light rom the blazing logs. and then
with great wisCfulness continued: u
Jean Guillot Lafayette, an sans fam
ille- l shall adopt = famills. shall
work Vairs hard for fanille."
And leave me-. Andy spcks
very softly and was very curious, fsI.
tering note Of bitter heart-break in his
voice: some tone suggesting grisyuus
appointment that he who so loved
the boy should not be taken into con.
sideratior-
He had tried. he said to himself, God
knew he had tried 70 win this love
and had wooed It with care; but it had
always been elusive and unyteldinE.
Even now. after all these months. he
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 to
him unasked. forced himself on the
waiting knee and clssped his arms
around the weather-beaten neck.
Monsieur" he whispered as II
afraid to voice his secret aloud. I
want them yaire bad: but could NOT
you leave even for them: because
uf you Yaire much"
Big Andy Kendall Rugged him 81.
most hercely and glllped out: Well.
general, you don't have TO leave me-
You're my little boy. and if you're
after EN- you can have the
title girls Wen take care Of EN-. me-
md you. and welcome. But I sup