The Lamar register., 1917-02-07

i
time to clear the ton or more of ore
that dropped from the roof in mass
Without stopping to look behind them
the two men hastened stealthily dow
the slight slope Of the tunnel, theli
candles appraised and eyes fixed on the
,,zOft, raw ore-bOdy above them. AT any
moment the entire roof might cave IL
and bury them. The shock of the frs
fall lOosened small quantities Of ore
all along the passage. Fragments drib
BLEED down behind and in front of the
fugitives and even on their heads
Panic-stricken, they broke into IL run
1t was none too soon. As they dusheo
around the turn that brought them Il
the outlet, the entire roof behind their
came thuddinE down.
Safe outside, Dupont shook the
fragments from his hat and clothes
and pulled out his bandanna to wipe
of the sweat that was gathering ir
beads on his forehead.
ugh !" he grunted. Don't never
see me in there ag'ln till it's timbered.'
Rather close call" remarked
Hardy.
You're IA cool one" muttered the
trader, and he scowled. "Nom dun
chen Just my luckl If l hadn't
sung out, you'd IA got smashed under
that first drop"
81 shall not forget II, Dupont"
me, neither. Stead of being rid OF
you, here you are ready as ever tc
clean us out-and 1 done II 20
H.. .
asserted Hardy.
well, mebbe not. Just the same
it's mighty hard luck on us. Here we
went and blocked out all that there
ore-three hundred thousand dollars
as good as in our pOckets-not to
speak of all that's down under ana
t'other side the shaft For all we know
II runs clean through the mountain
and down to China!"
That does not alter the situation"
said Hardy.
"Mebbe IL don't, and then agin-"
Dupont began to scratch his head
Yes, mebbe it don't, and then, ag'in
mebbe IL does. Just you take look
at It this way. Cap. Suppose that new
treaty goes through. the tribe don't
git nothing out Of this mine, and we
don't, neither. Just some lucky bum
beats us To il, and the government says
It's hisu Is that fair and squareI"
You have acted outside the law,
said Hardy. you must take your
chances with other locators."
How about the tribeT' queried Du.
pont. Don't you care nothing about
their interests7 Just supposing you
and me and Mr. Van took hold Of this
here proposition FOR the tribe and split
even with them on the proceeds ] call
thut square deal 10 them and us, too
and know Marie would think the
same. She likes you, Cap. Just show
her you want to do what's best for all
concerned. and I'm dead sure She
"StopI" commanded Hardy. Il cave
your daughter out Of this"
You've got to tell me how I'm
going to do it," replied Dupont in an
Injured tone. "If l don't git my share
In the mine. Mr.. Van can't afford to
take her; and you won't have no
show But you git in right with Marie,
aud she'd work her hands to the bone
for you. She amt no common breed
girl. neither. You know that. Shed
be real lady. If she had money
only you amt going to give her no
chance"
','he knows that l wish to marry
her said Hardy.
'rhink she believes that when
you're going to rob me and her of
fortuneT"
Hardy looked directly at the temp
ter. his eyes clear and resolute. though
his face was white and drawn. 1T is
of no use. Dupont. | shall do what
consider my duty"
Dupunts face darkened. $50 that's
what l git for saving your life. You
amt got a particle Of gratitude, and
you don't care IA hang about her"
81 must beg to differ with you" said
Hardy. But l cannot expect you to
understand my position
Dupont drew out his pipe and re-
turned to his seat on the mine-dump,
to brood on his wrongs in morose 81
lence. Hardy thoughtfully walked
back to the cabin, drew out writing
pad from one OF his saddlebags and
began to draft semiofiicial letter to
the most influential of his few &C
qualntances in Washington.
He soon hpromp so intent that he