Ellsworth American., 1916-03-15

JACK guessed that the big fellow was
sunering from his old heart affair and
ne changed the subject to one less per-
sonal, so that when bedtime came
Stowe was his old CHEEKY self again.
JACK wrote letter to Beth Terry
tnat night and I'm it he told her all
about Brad Stowe and his troubles.
1t was relief to the boy to open his
heart to the quiet, gray eyed girl back
home. He wondered how he had ever
existed before Beth Terry and her
mother came 10 San Francisco from
New York. His letter took on Stoves
optimistic tone. .'I'll soon be home.
grille he wrote. "and can see that
little ranch near San Diego coming
nearer all the time"
He was awakened shortly after mid
night by confusion Of voices and the
sharp bark Of dogs, as several sledges
passed the cabin. Brad Stowe heard
them. too, and he was out Of bed and
pulling on his clothes with furious
haste.
Get into your clothes, Jack" he
called to his mate: there's stampede
to Gold crag-Indian Joe Just yelled 1t
In my window. I'll harness the dogs
while you dress and make some cof-
fee. Rustic. now. it's the chance of
your lifer'
Jack rustled. and In half an hour the
two men had swallowed steaming cups
Of coffee and, l-apped In furs. were
speeding up the trail toward Gold
crag In far pursuit Of the first STAN.
peders.
We'll never make It." sighed Jack,
and he shouted the words to Stowe
whose sled was in the lead.
II know short cut, Jack" yelled
Stowe over his shoulder. and he point
ed to the left. where his dogs were
leaving the trail and breaking through
the untrodden~ snow OF the mountain
side.
Jack followed him. and presently
he looked up and saw the beetling
brow Of Gold crag almost above him.
Stowe and his outfit had turned again
and were reaching up narrow gully
that seemed to pierce the mountain.
but 1t sloped up gradually and mar
rowed to almost footpath.
Both men left their sledges and fac
ed each other.
Its nip and tuck now, jack said
Stowe hardly. I've led you all the
way up here and. man. I'll give you an
even chance for the claim. We've beat
en- the others by n mile. but we've got
to race some more. VIII you try 1t. or
are you all IMP
he had grown stronger and more mus
cuiar In the free life OF the north, the
race was telling on him. Now, In the
brilliant light of the aurora. his face
looked haggard beneath his fur cap.
"Sure, I'll race you" he painted heav-
lily.
Stowe observed him keenly. Sudden
ly the light faded from his eyes, and
his mouth took on grim lines.
There's n girl back home-thereT'
he asked brusquely.
Jack swallowed yep; Beth-Beth
lerry-fuy pTi, ne saiu.
"Beth-Terry echoed Brad Stowe,
stepping back and surveying the young
man with burning eyes. Beth Terry
of New York;
Yes" admitted the surprised Jack.
''You are engaged to herr" asked the
other hoarsely.
"Yes: she's waiting for me to make
good. Let us go on. Brad. Well lose
out on this" urged Jack anxlously.
VERY Well" said Stowe wearily,
and together they trudged on up the
narrow defile until they reached the
open tract before the Jennings claim.
"Its half mile beyond, there by
the broken pine tree" said Stowe over
hts broad shoulder. He was leading
the way by few feet, and Jack was
trudging after him. spiritlessly. scarce
ly hoping to beat that long. strong
stride OF his mates.
Within hundred feet of the coveted
goal Stowe suddenly turned and put
his hand on Jacks shoulder.
I'm out OF 1t, lad" he said quietly.
"Yonder is the promised land-go to
itr'
"No. no. How about your gasped
Jack. you're the winner; go ahead.
Brad-Fm not a baby"
T'm not doing 1t for you, jack
said Stowe grimly. "fm doing 1t for
the girl named Beth-I used to know
a girl named Beth. and it's for her-if
you don't treat her right-if you're not
good to her, man. III come down there
and murder you - understand lie
turned and dashed back across the
snow crust, and Jack dazedly hurried
forward and staked his claim to the
big triangular patch Of snow that
marked the claim next to the famous
Jennings.
He had just driven In the last post
and written his name on 1t as Stowe
had directed him to do one day when
he had been explaining the procedure