The Press., 1916-08-10

fee. Rustic, now, it's the chance of your nfer'
 Jack rustled, and in half an hour the two men had swallowed steaming cups of coffee and, wrapped in furs, were speeding up the trail toward Gold crag in far pursuit of the first stam- peders.
 "we'lI never make it." sighed Jack, and he shouted the words to Stowe. whose sled was in the lead
 al know a 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 a narrow gully that seemed to pierce the mountain. but it sloped up gradually and mar rowed to almost a footpath.
 Both men left their sledges and fac ed each other.
 "It's 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 a mile, but we've got to race some more. Will you try it, or are you all inT'
 Jack was painting heavily. Although he had grown stronger and more mus cular 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 panted heav- fly.
 Stowe observed him keenly. Sudden ly the light faded from his eyes, and his mouth took on grim lines.
 There's a girl back home-there| he asked brusquely.
 Jack swallowed. "Yep; Beth-Beth Terry-my girl" he said.
 "Beth-TerryY 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. We'll lose out on this," urged Jack anxiously.
 'Very we'll" said Stowe wearily, and together they trudged on up the narrow defile until they reached the open tract before the Jennings claim.
 Its half a mile beyond, there by the broken pine tree" said Stowe over his broad shoulder. He was leading the way by a few feet, and Jack was trudging after him. spiritlessly, scarce ly hoping to beat that long, strong stride of his mates.
 Within a hundred feet of the coveted goal Stowe suddenly turned and put his hand on Jacks shoulder.
 I'm out of it. lad" he said quietly. Wonder is the promised land-go to Itr
 "No. no. How about you" gasped Jack. You're the winner; go ahead, Brad-I'm not a baby"
 I'm not doing it for you, Jack" said Stowe grimly. "Pm doing it 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, I'll come down there and murder you understandT He 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 to the tenderfoot, when there came the sound of loud shouts and many cheers. and several outfits whirled into view around the belt of woods.
 There was much surprise and some when 1t was discover | ad that Jack had posted what appear | ed to be the most desirable claim on | he mountain, but the crowd was good | natured and immediately scattered. | .ach to stake a claim in the new dis | rict. Jack went slowly back to his dog | 'led and rode down the mountain in | he cold gray dawn of a new day. | After he had been to the recorders | office and filed his claim, Jack went l back to the cabin he had called home | for many months.
 Brad Stowe was sitting before the | stove reading a two months old news paper, and he looked up at his young partner with his old friendly smile as the lad entered.
 "All right and hearty, JackF' he asked.
 "Yes. Brad" returned Jack, pulling Off his outec garments and reaching for a bunch of letters that bore his name, "only, you see, can't under stand why you'd throw away fortune lke that claim on Gold crag when"-
 I'm a sentimental fool, that's why" laughed Stowe, returning to his paper. Indian Joe brought the mail in, and I suppose those letters are yours. I never get any,
 Jack opened Beth's letter and read its closely written pages to the end. When he lifted his eyes they were bright and sparkling with something besides excitement
 He brushed his hand across his eyes and went over to his partner and laid his hand on the broad shoulder
 He winced when he noticed that the | big man was reading the paper upside | down. Jack knew that Brad Stowe | needed that claim.
 Funny thing. Brad" began Jack.