The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-01-22
PARTI.
cHAPTER B.

CHAPTER y.
It was quiet night in the Tiyoli'
At the bar, which ranged along one
side Of the large chlnked;log room,
leaned half dozen men, two Of whom
were discussing the relative merits
Of spruce tea and lime Juice as reme'
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. were 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-
eF stood By the rearing, red.hot stove,
talking with young, darlt-eyed wom-
an. comedy OF face and figure, vino was
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 tloor
of the dancing room, which opened out
at the rear, three couples were waltz
ing drearlly to the strains of a violin
and a 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 were 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.firlng. 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 filled
and the only social diversion to be
found was in the saloons. Yet the II
vol 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.
goln' to bed. What's the matter with
the camp, anyway? Everybody dead"
Rates 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
Tiyoli and all its games, wandered for
lornly across the>great vacant space OF
floor and Joined the two at the stove.
Anybody dead?" the Virgin asked EsfI
him.
'sbooks like it." was the answer, ~
"Then it must be the whole camp.
she said with an air OF finality ana
with another yawn. :,
Macdonald grinned and nodded, and
opened his mouth to speak, when the
front door swung open and a man APP
reared In the light. He would have
appeared a large man had not huge
French. Canadian stepped up 10 him
from the bar and gripped his hand.
Hello, Dayllght% was his greeting
ny Gar, you good for sore eyes,"
"Hello, Louis, when did you.all blow
in ?" returned the newcomer, Come
nm 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 10 shake hands. 0lai
Henderson and French Louis. partners
together on Bone creek, were the two
largest men in the country, and though
they we're but half head taller than
the newcomer. between them he was
dwarred completely.
"Hello. Olaf" said the o9e called
Daylight "Tomorrow's my birthday.
And you, too, Louis. Come up ana
drink, and III tell you,all about It,"
The arrival Of the newcomer seemed
to send a food of warmth through the
rlace. cts Burning Daylight" the
Virgin cried. the first to recognize
him ms he came into the light. Charley
Bates tight features relaxed at the
sight and Macdonald went over ana
Joined the three at the bar. With the
advent of Burning Daylight the whole
place suddenly became brighter ana
cheerier. The barkeepers were active
Voices we're raiseC, Somebody
laughed. And when the fiddler, peer
ing into the front room, remarked TO
the pianist: ITS Burning Daylight,
the waltz time perceptibly quickened'
and the dancers. catching the couta'
gion. beganato whirl about as II they
really enjoyed it. It was known to
them of old-time that nothing IAN
s,lshed when Burning Daylight was
around