The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-06-17

came to be in the old abandoned mine
that day.
IF | were a man." she reflected, as
she went homewards, land had the
strength I'd stick to the old digging
on the home lot. I'd bore and shower
till | got results IL / went clear
through to Chinal Oh, dear! When
| see the dear old folks Just pining
away for the old home life in the East,
l go almost wild at my helplessness."
There was a little garden sass"
patch behind the cabin and Leonie
attended to this. She was hoeing
some sweet corn rows next morning
when a stranger passed by. He halt
ed at sight of her.
Young lady" he said, lifting his
cap politely, II am to meet some men
at the Wenatchee mine this morning.
Can o tell me where to find it?'
In an instant Leonie surmised that
this must be the prospective victim of
the fellows who had sailed the mine.
The stranger was a young man, well
dressed, handsome of face and the re-
bPOCllul hdlllGI Ill WulCu DS dCCOobCd
her pleased Leonie.
81 think l could tell you something
to your advantage, If you are look
ing for an Investment in the property
you name" said Leonie, after a brief
moment of reflection.
"Indeed?" smiled the young man.
ut would be gratefully received, for
l am what they call a tenderfoot."
Leonie recited her experience of the
day preceding. The young man be-
came grave and thoughtful.
Il thank you for your warning" he
said earnestly. land l don't think
those men will sell me the Wenatchee
mine. / am open for any promising
gold prospect, though" he said.
The salters never learned who had
steered their victim away from their
evil clutches, but Leonie saw more
of Shelby Roberts, the young man
looking for Investments for his uncle
in the East. Somehow a sweet wild
rose in the wilderness, Leonie had APP
pealed to him. She greeted him as an
agreeable acquaintance as the days
went on. He learned her history and
was interested.
One morning Leonie was leaving the
house when a bronzed, BEARDED great
bear of a fellow arose from the door
step. where he had been seated.
BEG pardon, Miss" he said In his
rough way, but l was just resting.
I was an old pal of Ben Dorsey and
was terribly shocked last evening
when l heard he was dead. l thought
I'd drop by the old place here ON my
way over the range and take a look
at the prospect Dorsey expected such
great returns from"
you mean the digging back Of the
house?" inquired Leonie.
Just that. There's richness lying
under the soil and not far down,
either. l told Dorsey that the first
time he showed me the groupings"
Then the old miner went on his way,
It was quite natural that Leonie
should mention the circumstances to
Mr.. Roberts. It was doubly natural
that by this time Mr.. Roberts should
be greatly interested in anything thai
concerned Leonie. He asked permits
sion to put some men to work to try
out the proposition. There were amaz
ing results from the experiments and
assays.
Leonie went almost wild with de
light one day when Mr.. Roberts ad
vised her that he was authorized by
his uncle to offer $4,000 for the ter
acres.
ut can't be true!" cried Leonie, the
tears of Joy running down her bonnie
cheeks. "0hi what will the old folks
say?"
1t was the happiest day Of her life
that which saw her homesick adopted
parents back in their native town, set
tied In a beautiful home, with suffi
cient reserve means to live on in com
fort, even luxury, for the rest of theil
lives.
Then Leonie came into her own. Shit
had roughed 1t out West like thu
CHEEKY, courageous girl that she was
She fell into the ways of fashion ant
society just as a~daptably under thu
new conditions.
Shelby Roberts, after the lapse of
month, on his way to his uncle
stepped off at the pretty village.
In wonder he stared at the trans
formed Leonie. If she had interested
him in her frontier homespun garl
and rude surroundings. she fascinated
him now, the lady complete. as sh,
ever had been. 2
He missed his train for home TO
four days In succession. Then h,
went to Leonie boldly.
"Miss Burch," he said in his frank
earnest way, 1--WE got good news TO
my uncle about that mine you dis
covered. I'd like to add the crownini
Joy to that fortunate circumstance?
You mean?" began Leonie inquisi
lively.
by telling him that l am engage,
to the sweetest girl I ever met"
And Leonie. always Straightforward,
and true, did not hang her head or al
feet a superficial coyness. She places
her hand in his = the bronzed han,
that had worked so hard for those sh'
loved-and whispered softly:
you make me very happy"