Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-03


form of Heaven to my liking, l should re-
quest that | might come back here again,
with memory unimpaired, to see what
change will have taken place in the next
hundred years! Life is so short short!
And | approach my four score years, yet
have lived, and can live, but an instant,
compared to these!'
He waved his hand sadly round at the
moonlit hills and led the way back toward
the hotel, where he babe Jim goodnight and
sought his bed.
TIM stood by the window and looked in.
) He wished to bid Eve goodnight; but was
arrested by the little hurricane of voices be-
seeching someone to play the violin. He
saw tall man, stranger to him, and prob
ably a recent arrival, who was surrounded
by some of the younger visitors. The tall
man evidently assented; for he disappeared,
to reappear almost Immediately with a vio-
lin, which he tuned to the single strident note
struck by laughing girl who but moment
before had been playing the everlasting rag
time. The duet began, and with an accom-
paniment of laughing voices the commodi-
Gus living room" of the rough, camplike
hotel was speedily filed with dancers.
From some corner where they had been
seated came a couple that held the miners
eyes. 1t was Eve Waters and a stranger.
The latter, even though in mountain camp,
was exceedingly well groomed and well set
up. He was scarcely more than Jim's age,
and danced with the easy grace of one to
whom dancing had become second nature.
The miner sustained a pang Of jealousy, and
would have turned away, as if from world
in which he had no part, had not the girl in
passing the open window, seen him over her
partners shoulder. Jim lifted his hat in
parting salute; but she directed her partner
to the window, and, laughing, insisted on
the miners waiting until they came out on
the veranda. He stepped toward the door
opening out on the porch to meet them, and
there in the light was introduced to John
Holloway. The hand that grasped his was
firm, and, like its owner, full of character.
Their eyes met with inquisitive frankness
and without evasion, and the miner sensed
that each was mentally measuring the other.
'"Mr. King is mining over across the lake"
Eve said, in explanation to one and then to
the miner, @And Mr.. Holloway is an engi-
neer from Chicago, whom met in New York
several winters ago.
Again Jim envied the stranger his old ac-
workmanship; but any dislike was dissi-
pated by the evident honesty of Holloway,
who Immediately accepted him as Miss
Waters friend.
mining, he said, @is something of which
l have small knowledge. l have been sorry
sometimes that l did not take up that
branch of my profession and specialize on
it. | suppose your line is more interesting
than mine, in our profession, Mr.. King he
said.
Profession Jim felt that old regret that
he had not known universities. II have no
profession, Mr.. Holloway. / am not an en-
gineer. l am merely hammer and drill
man. What know of mining would make
mining engineer laugh"
He caught the questioning glance that the
engineer flashed at their companion; but he
did not understand that the man from uni
versities was wondering whether the speech
had been completely honest. Jim's state
ment had implied lack of education; yet
his speech was that of one who knew, and
furthermore was refined and naturally musi-
cal.
II didn't want you to go until you had
claimed at least one dance from me-" Ewes
voice broke in, and she looked at the miner
with direct look of friendship.
"Me? I'm sorry. | can't dance. 1t is
something l have never learned" he said
half bitterly. Il have had no time. l wish
could. But, aside from that, l must go. 1t
will be late when reach the camp"
Reach the camp! Whv don't YOU sleep