The silver messenger., 1912-03-12
PART l..
CHAPT !.

(.sed half a dozen men, two OF whom
M discussing the relative meritl
mruce tea and lime juice as rene
= for scurvy. They argued with al
a depression and with interval
morose silence. The other mel
.rcely needed them. In row
utust the opposite wall. were tht
nbting games. The crap table wal
,eted. One lone man was playing
the faro table. The roulette wat
even spinning. and the gamekeep
stood BY the roaring, red-hot stove
Ming with a young. dark-eyed WON
comely OF face and figure, who waa
levn from Juneau to Fort Yukon as
Virgin. Three men sat In at stud
ar, but they played with small
u and without enthusiasm, while
ese we're no onlookers. On the floor
! he dancing room. which opened out
ae rear, three couples were waltz
drearily to the strains of violin
piano.
Circle City was not deserted, nor
y money tight. The miners were in
bn Moosehead creek and the other
gings to the west, the summer
Ishing had been good, and the men 8
uehes we're heavy with dust and mug
b. The Klondike had not yet been
bcovered. nor had the miners OF the
|kon learned the possibilities of deep
Bgins and wood-firing. No work was
Pc in the winter, and they made a
hctice Of alternating In the large
nps like Circle City during the long
rtic night. Time was heavy on their
nds, their pouches were we'll filed
the only social diversion to be
md was In the saloons. Yet the IT,
vas practically deserted, and the
Jn, standing by the stove. yawned
b uncovered mouth and said to
Alley Bates:
II something don't happen soon. I'm
n to bed. What's the matter with
camp, anyway? Everybody dead?"
Bates did not even trouble to reply.
vent on moodily rolling a ciga-
h Dan Macdonald. pioneer ga
oman and gambler on the upper
ION. owner and proprietor OF the
on and all its games, wandered for
nV across the great vacant space OF
= and joined the two at the stove.
anybody dead?" the Virgin asked
Looks like It," was the answer.
lnen It must be the whole camp
said with an air Of finality and
P another yawn.
laeDonald grinned and nodded, and
aeo his mouth to speak, when the
aoor swung open and a man ap
feo IN the light. He would have
e~leo large man had not a huge
'cnCanadian stepped up to him
inc bar and gripped his hand.
neiio' Daylight" was his greeting
Gar' you good for sore eyes!"
ne''o' Louis. when did you-all blow
returned the newcomer. Come
'ao have a drink and tell us all
bone creek. Why, dog-gone
1l' shake again. Where's that
aseF OF yours! I'm looking for
uo.aer huge man detached himself
'ne bar to shake hands. Olaf
ssison and French Louis, partners
yer on Bone creek. were the two
:" men In the country, and though
we're but half head taller than
as.comer, between them he was
'ed completely.
asllo' Olaf" said the one called
sal "Tomorrow's my birthday.
'ou. too. Louis. Come up and
ana Ill tell you-all about It,"
arrival Of the newcomer seemed
~ mood of warmth through the
US Burning Daylight" the
sf'eo' the first to recognize
ae came into the light. Charley
'ent features relaxed at the
ana Macdonald went over and
me three at the bar. With the
- q Burning Daylight the whole
NJ" .uuoenly became brighter and
ine barkeepers were active:
A., We're raised. Somebody |
Itnta M And when the fiddler. peer
~. 'ae front room, remarked to
s,uN .u'st; !. TITS Burning Daylight"
n. ''me perceptibly quickened. |
uancers. catching the conta-
sssn ss to whirl about as II they !
~ su!oyed 1t. It was known to
k.S o,o-'lme that nothing Ian
IA Snen Burning Daylight was
~ eu ~ from the bar and saw the
a. ~ 'he stove and the eager
al. 'e,come she extended him.
o r. virgin, old girl" he called.
,on ~uarley. What's the matter
w. Why wear faces like
n, s1 cotfins onay cost three
m some up. you all. and drink.
pc,.u sou unburied dead. an name
come up. everybody.
~ night. and I'm going to
h 'omorrow I'm thirty. and
y ,. IN Old man. It's the last
a,cs a,n Are you-all with me!