The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-02-22

turning the next morning on orr's
stage. The first person he met upon
reaching Fairbanks, as he was the last
with whom he had spoken before leay.
ing, was Dan Holiday. O'Connor stiff
fened as he saw him. He could not
forget their talk, a talk that had turn.
ed the first glimmer Of happiness that
he had seen for years into black rage
and despair. Dams words had been
with him throughout the hard drive
TO the fort. They had filled his consti.
BUSINESS as he returned He would
have passed with curt nod but that
he saw Ellen standing near her broth.
er. His heart missed a beat as he
caught sight OF her. har arms filled
with tamarack, her gay cap and blan-
ket coat making spot of brilliant
color against the grayness OF the com.
ing night. She nodded gayly and call
ed to him that she was keeping open
house New Years day and he must
come and help decorate the rooms.
Dan wheeled about and looked at
her with a heavy frown. Larry thank.
ed her, but said he had an engage.
ment.
Break it," she commanded with a
laugh. "All the world, including the
butcher, the baker and the candle.
stick maker. are coming and there
Will be no place else for YOU TO go,
so come you must" But her heart
sank u little. She had noticed the es-
arrangement OF the two men. who had
always before met In the friendlIest
way. She now knew that Dan had
spoken to Larry before he left Fair
banks, but for some reason had left
his talk with her until that evening
after the arrival Of the stage She
moved away, but called back over her
shoulder, 81 will expect you. Don't
disappoint me"
or course you must come" Dan
said. studiously polite. you cannot
stay away. Without causing COM
ment."
Comment be damned" Larry said
savagely as he walked away.
All through New Years day and ev.
ening Ellen watched and waited. Then
he came, SO late that her heart hud
grown chill with fear AS he made his
way toward her he was stopped by a
newcomer. Ellen could not help out
ONCl luGlT COLlNGT6dIlOU.
where is Tim? heard he was
NTH YOU" said the newcomer.
Larry hesitated. "EIe was, for a
time" His eyes rested upon Dan,
who was standing near. 1.-The two Of
H. went to the fort on Christmas
night. He will go on to Holy Cross
aud from there to Nome"
Doing better or worse up herc?"
Worse"
And you are still the scapegoat, Il
suspect"
Drop it. Jack" Larry said irri.
tably. 81 have had about all that
can stand" and he moved away.
The other turned to Dan. Have
you ever seen his twin? Alike as two
peas-height, coloring. voice, intona.
tion-even to the cowlick on the fore.
head. Alike in everything save char
acter. Larry has all OF that. Tim is
lovcable chap, but weak, and the
worst of his weakness is that he let's
O'Connor take the blame for his mis-.
deeds. think he has committed CIV.
cry sin save murder and he is a con-
firmed gambler. A lucky one, too, If
all that hear is true"
Larry left town some days ago af.
ter cleaning up McDougan's bank"
Tim, you mean," the other answer.
ed with show of anger. 81 suppose he
has been up to his usual tricks. 1t
wasn't Larry. That fellow is the
straightest, whitest man 1 have ever
known"
Dan considered. 81 guess it is up
TO me to make reparation.'' he said
glancing about the room. He made his
way to his sister and Larry, who were
standing together at the further end
Of the room, and talked very earnest.
~ with them for some minutes: then
he raped upon table standing
near.
The silence was instantaneous. Dan
hesited, cleared his throat, still hest.
tated. Then with rush the words
came-not many but when they were
uttered pandemonium reigned for
moment.
Say 1t again" some one called.
And once more Dan said:
Ladies and gentlemen | wish TO
announce the approaching marriage
Of my sister to Mr.. Lawrence O'Con.
nor. This will take place in the near
future and hope to welcome as my
guests, each and every one of you"