The log cabin Democrat., 1916-02-09
MATES CLAIM
By lZOLA FORESTER.

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 The two cars turned simultaneously into the hilly street leading to the lit- tie railroad station.
 Parker laughed back over his shoul- der at the other driver and called something that was answered by a shout.
 Do you know any of them?' asked Matte.
 Rather. It's old Doc Warren, grand old Doc Warren, great old Doc! So | long, Doc!"
 The other car was gaining, though Warren, at the wheel, slipped into high speed and took the hill dizzily. As they flashed by, Matte caught her first glimpse of him, sitting far down in his seat, his cap pulled low over his keen, dark eyes, just the hint of dark mustaehe and boyish smile of impish joy at beating Parker.
 At the station, while she and Mill dred went inside out of the cold, Park CT shook hands with the victor
 I'd have let her go, too, if it hadn't been for the precious load aboard"
 Who is she?" asked Warren, with far-away look ill his eyes.
 Not for you, boy" laughed Parker. Grand old Doc she's of rarest clay l Matte Burroughs. Father produces mill lions from patent food products for l dyspeptics, but he hasn't invented anything for the trail of victims Matte leaves after her. She's been visiting Louise up at Craggymore Lodge"
 Bet twenty dollars I marry her." said Warren. T always believed I'd know the right girl when l first looked at her, and do, too. It's 35 miles to the Shore line. Parksie, before we hit the Grand Central I'm going to make her understand how feel about it."
 Parker hesitated.
 Aren't you going to introduce me-"
 Warren smiled at him with beatific enjoyment of the situation and, as the New York express pulled in, somehow Louise had managed the introduction in her quick way, and Warren sat be- side Matte Burroughs in the general pairing off of the two parties. Mrs. Parker and Warrens Aunt Paula were far too occupied with their own re- union to bother over the duties of chaperonage, and Warren set himself to beat Time and Fate inside of three hours.
 Matte, in dark green and white fox furs, took the onslaught demurely In fact, she was rather accustomed to just such situations. Easily she par ried his opening points. Yes, she had heard of him from Dave Morton, her cousin out at the School of Mines. Warren had been there, too, she be- lieved. Was she interested in mines herself? She smiled doubtfully. After one has been brought up on mines, SO to speak, they lose their glamour. For the moment Warren forgot his bet.
 Do you know anything about the Diamond Eye?" he asked eagerly.
 She glanced at him curiousIy.
 At Crooked Creek? I've heard of it. Why?'
 My aunt, Mrs. Edwards, is inter-. ested in it. You see, years ago she befriended chap who was pretty well down and out. She's always help- ing somebody, bless her, and this fel- low believed he could locate an old mining claim somebody had told him about. You read about such cases, and 1t seems like a joke, but this came, true. He found the claim, staked it. Then he took in a partner, and they worked it together. Well, he died, and left half to Aunt Paula in return for what she had done for him. She didn't need it, and handed it over to me. It's somewhere in Nevada-did you say Crooked Creek?"
 She was interested enough now. Her eyes opened wide as she leaned toward him. She was ail sparkle and SUD- pressed excitement.
 What was the dead partners name?'
 They called him Andy Bird. Some how, when Parker told me you were -'NSAN A'OAoASp . hiSW yOu Sdlut from Nevada, and I wanted to know you
 I'm afraid you'll know me better before we're through with this," she said teasingly. Dad gave me the half share in the Diamond Eye for my eighteenth birthday year ago."
 Gave you"
 She nodded her head quickly.
 You know, he started in just as a prospector. and he met this old Andy Bird-oh, I've heard him tell it so often-dad became his partner and helped him little, but the claim never seemed to give back all they had ex- pected from it. They call it Maties Claim out there. My own name is Elizabeth, but dad always calls me | inst Matip Vpn'1I hava tn eo,,1 cut