The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-04-09

mOnOcle.''
Does he see through tip" inquired
Kane, with apparent anxiety II reck
>oned he was near sighted, for spoke
to him a while ago and he didn't even
see me-" .z9s-. If =
Oddly enough, Ruth blushed at this,
Sir Donald had seen her, and she had
been made aware or it instantly; not
that Sir Donald had been in the slight
est offensive. He had merely silently
testified by respectful glances his APP
probation Of the arrival of very pref
ty woman. -, :
John Dorr saw the blush and inter,
preted it rightly. He, too, had OBJ
served the Englishman's sudden inter-
est in the lovely girl. For the first
time he felt sharp twinge Of jeal=
ousy. He had so long been alone in
Ruth's regard that he had not ana
lyzed his own feelings toward her.
He determined that Sir Donald Faver-
sham should not impose his company
on them.
The very next morning, when Ruth
and John came out from the hotel
ready for stroll, Faversham lay in
wait for the old cook and asked him
for match for his cigarette. Tom
reached into his waistcoat pocket and
pulled out a bunch Of block matches,
which he handed out with an air Of
doing a service to some one he could
not see. Sir Donald looked at the
queer matches, not knowing the pecul-
and in spite of himself Kane had to
instruct him to pull off one of the
matches and strike it. When Sir Don
aid choked and sputtered over an in
halation Of birthstone Tom looked pro-
foundry concerned.
They're leetle strong for some
people," he remarked pityingly.
"Strong" answered Faversham, WHIP
ing his eyes. 81 should jolly. we'll say
they were!'
Their conversation had attracted
Ruth's attention. and she and John
both looked back. John smiled faint
ly, but Ruth was indignant.
'"Tom did that on purpose" she said.
I'm ashamed of him."
How it happened only Sir Donald
could have told, but within three min
utes he was exchanging remarks about
the scenery with them all. "And
there's an awfully jolly bit just over
the other way" he said to Ruth.
The ice was broken, and Ruth
promptly accepted the implied invita-
ton to see this specially lovely scene
and Sir Donald led the way, talking
with her, After an instant's hesita-
ton John and Kane followed.
The acquaintance thus made was
destined to have a great bearing Oh
the lives of both Ruth and John. 1t
had rpened into genuine liking on
Ruth's part before the dance that night
was over.
The next morning John and Tom met
Ruth walking with Sir Dohald about
the hotel grounds, and the young man
could not help showing in both voice
and manner that lie was little pleased
that Ruth should have so suddenly
taken up with stranger.
Remember, she's only a GIRL" Tom
warned him, feeling his mood. ''She's
been brought up in the mountains, and
she's as friendly as pup. | don't like
the way the man puts petticoats on his
feet and I'm used to being looked at
with two eyes, but Ruth is all right.
You must remember that young as she
is and inexperienced, she has good
lot of common sense"
II suppose it's foolish of me-" John
answered, But I'm used to activity,
and this dawdling about doesn't suit
me and that makes me generally cross
and unreasonable. If 1 only knew
what Wilkerson was doing! If Everett
ould only come" I
The wish was fulfilled that afternoon
when George Everett turned up and
was warmly greeted by both Kane
and Dorr. After few words he asked
for Ruth.
you can see that she's all right"
John answered quietly, pointing to her
as she came up the steps with Sir
Donald. Both were in tennis garb, and
Ruth was delightfully."- flushed.
Sir Donald made few pleasant re-
marks and then excused himself. His
quick senses told him that Everett
had come on business and that he
would be one too many. ~..
II don't know that l have anything
new and startling to tell you," Everett
told Ruth in answer to her question.
II know dozen places where can
raise the money to finance your mine,
but we must have the deeds, papers
and surveys first. And they're gone,
l understand"
'Yes,'' Dorr replied bitterly, Il sup
pose Wilkerson has them. ought to
have been on his trail long ago"
Everett glanced at Ruth and saw the
discouragemento on her face. BE went
quickly on: However, I've made tenn
porary arrangements which will re-
lieve you Of all trouble for the present,
Miss Gallon. I'll talk over the business
details with John and Tom Kane"
She frightened and laid one hand
affectionately on Johns arm. II knew
everything would come out all right
when John took hold" she said softly.
For two days Harry Wilkerson work
ed steadily and secretly in his room.
At last his task was done
mo one can ever prove that old Tom
Gallon didn't draw that deed himself .
Wilkers0n said triumphantly. And II
makes me the owner OF the Master
Key mine. Jean. And, once in charge,
I'll make MS both worth millions
Them
She shrank back at the fame in his
gaze upon her.