Gilpin observer., 1916-05-18

into the other VALLEYS mine. I'm a
rich man. Miss Ordway, an l got IT.
Just by this"
He tapped his forehead significantly
and smiled.
Truly ! do admire you." lied Poppy
with the naivete of sixteen. brains
brains-why. they are nine-tenths of
the battle of success and man with.
out them is beaten at the beginning "
Partner" she whispered to Sandry
as she passed him that night In the
eating room, I've been working.
Where can we talk little by our
selves?"
Sandry. looking at her swiftly, saw
the excitement in her eyes. and took
fire instantly.
Alone? Why-let's see. Are you
afraid to come out to the forked stick
by the road?"
In the darkness Miss Ordway
laughed-a little. low ripple of mirth.
soft and subtle
intimate whisper that suggested infl-
mite mystery. Are we out Of earshot
here?"
YES" said Sandry. lowering his
voice to hers.
DO you happen to know where Fra
zer got all the holdings of the Dill.
lingworth? How he got them?"
why, no." said Sandry wonderingly,
Il suppose he bought them. as any
company would do"
"Yes. So far so good. You know
that all this land was government land
that there are still Claims lying far
back in the mountains open to fling
But all this fine timber close in-all
that has a chance Of being got at-has
been taken-and have you noticed that
all of it, or nearly all, belongs to eli.
lumber companies?"
by George!" said Sandry. Il hadn't
thought of that!"
And have you noticed that none of
these claims seem to have been taken
in good faith? That none of the filers
have complied in spirit with the home
stead law? have secured these hills
for seven miles every way-except
west-and at every filing there is the
barest hold of tenure-a windowless
shack-just enough to nail the law by
its letter. Nowhere have l seen
cleared field, nor one sign of tillage.
Mr.. Sandry, believe we have STUN
bled upon a huge government swindle,
q case of land-fraud gigantic in its pro-
portions"
Sandry was aghast. Why, what do
you mean? Miss Ordway. do you mean
that the companies are crooked?"
Not SO fast. believe Hampden
is crooked. and that possibly Frazer
was. For the latter-it is too late
and not in our scheme to nail him.
But Hampden we'll hang high as Ha.
man-and that before he can filch the
East Belt with it's store Of wealth"
She was leaning very near as she
whispered this, and in the burst Of
mental light which followed her words
Sandry put his hands on her shoul-
ders. ny
you are positively wonderful" he
breathed. "the most wonderful woman
In the whole world. How on earth did
you find these things out?"
"Hampden." said Poppy with shrug
of her shoulders under Sandry's hands;
hes furnishing data with q ven
geance"
But why? For the love of heaven,
Why are you doing all this? can't
Just understand"
With a little. soft motion, charming
In the airy acceptance of its own dar.
ing. the woman of the world put up
her hand and laid 1t with a caress over
the one on her shoulder.
Her face. tilted upward in the dark.
ness. shone like a flower and he could
just barely see the curving 4ine in her
lips. dark against its light.
In the mist and the chill the subtle
perfume, that always seemed to strike
ones senses only after she had passed,