The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-07

observed how fingered the waiter who
entered to remove luncheon tray. or
how his eyes cleaned with greedy
cunning as the jeweler finished his ex-
animation and produced a checkbook.
I'VE will give $4,000 for the lot.
my lord" the dealer said. and Cecil
nodded In manner of bored indiffer-
ence
Very shortly afterward the waiter
slipped away from the hotel and hur-
ried to a somewhat shabby boarding
house not far distant Here he found
Carson, to whom he hastily related his
news. For few moments Carson pom.
dered craftily. then nodded.
Very well. if you think 1t is good
chance We'll go for him. I'd kinder
like TO bag British lord anyway; reg.
ular big game he'd be- Wen try the
gold mine scheme Its safe because
we really got hole in the ground to
issue stock on. and an Eng,ishman II
fall for gold mine quicker an any
thing else. You tip of the other boys
and keep an eye on your bird. In
do my part. YOU can bet your bottom
dollar,'
The waiter departed and Carson
Knocked at and then opened the door
TO an adjoining room. Betty looked
up little apprchensively as he enter.
ell. There was upon his face an ex-
preston she had begun to vaguely dis.
trust.
Il want You to help me iu a little
| deal, Betty" lie said "Itn be a bar
rel o fun for you. There's an Eng,
iishman want to sell mine to. It's
good mine an cheap at the price I'm
willing 10 sell for. but these English.
men have been fed up on wonderful
stories about this country until plain
business proposition don't wake 'em up
long enough to sign check They
got TO have lot o romance-seem to
think a nice romantic story better an
certified assay and survey"
What do you want me to do:" the
girl asked. and her eyes were troubled.
oh. nothin' much" Carson assured
her lightly. and in indifferent man.
ner outlined the part she was to play.
II don't like it. Monte" Betty
said slowly. 1T looks queer"
"All right. Betty" he responded. and
his voice was duh with rcproach. at
Is square game, but never mind
Why. You talk like you think | amt
honest, Rut | won't urge you-iust
leave il 10 your own feelings. You
won't help me now, hut | took You
when nobody e.se would. and | have
raised you the best that | could"
The reproach cut deep into the heart
OF the sensitive girl After all, she
had no proof of her suspHlons. and
she owed much to this man. The room
in which they stood seemed TO fade
away, and she saw rugged land OF
hills and water worn gulches and the
raw cash of crude mining operations
Near a ragged tent several rough min.
ers were carelessly completing the Ill
ing or grave. To one side n small
girl. weeping miserably. was trying
to make bundle of a few poor belong.
ings. With pitying catch in her
throat. Betty realized that this child
'eS ShS' INV tiiC SNtne lHeTe came
taunty horseman. and to him the
miners explained that they had found
this prospector all cashed in and had
planted him and were ready to 60 their
ways. No, they hadn't figured out
what was to become of the kid. They
couldn't pack her along with them
Why didn't he take her II he was so
particularly concerned? Whereupon
the jaunty horseman looked at the
pretty child in speculative manner
nodded, spoke kindly and lifted her to
the pommel of his saddle. and the
child sobbed her gratitude against his
breast. And through the years that
had followed he had been kind. in his
way. and had raised her the best he
eould-far better. in fact in the mat.
ter Of schools and clothing than the
other girls she had known Surely he
had right to command some return.
Betty looked up with tear dimmed
eyes.
I'll do it. Monte" she said simply.
"I knew you wouldn't 30 back on
an old friend. Betty" Carson replied
concealing the relief and satisfaction
he felt.