The Monticellonian., 1919-10-31

overhaul II. Davis. you hTInE ftHel up to the mine after breakfast. We will leave about sunup while she ls l having her beauty sleep He left the room and passed into the darkness. where the Spider was awaiting him.
 Any orders for tonightf8 inquired the latter. The Hawk negatiEed.
 Nothing deing. There are too many in the cabin But well have another try tomorrow AS Bellas disappeared, Morgan re-entered the house.
 It was decided that the engineers should take EtheI's old room and that the girl should use the spare bed in | the chamber of Bridget. The other men were to occupy the lean-to and harness room, with the exception of Morgan and John. who decided 10 bed themselves down in front of the fire place. This settled, they bade each other goodnight and retired.
 Lying awake before the fireplace Morgan glared evilly 1t his sleeping companion, one hand upon his knife.
 "The credulous fool.' he sneered How easy it would be- He un- sheathed the blade and ran his thumb along it's keen edge, then deciding l that it would be wiser to await an- other day. he thrust the weapon back into place, and rolling upon his side, composed himself to sleep.
 They were upon their feet with the first break of day, and having finished breakfast. Morgan, the Spider. the mine boss. Blackie, the assayer and the rest of the men mounted their horses. John, standing ln the doorway, waved them an adieu.
 Miss Ethel and I will join you presently he called. Morgan. shout ing back that there was no necessity for their hurrying, turned aside to the | Spider.
 T believe if we go straight up the mountain this way. We will save q mile or two on our way to the mine" said 1 he. and. as the other man nodded his aequiescence, they turned aside from the trail and followed by the rest went clambering on. \ mile farther up they reached q shack which WAS built on i the mountainSide over 2 forfy-fiTe de- gree slope. which ended in q elf, the i latter falling into d deep valley. The Hawk drew rein.
 "Seyer saw that shack before,s he said The Spider laughed.
 "Neither did I, for the simple req son that never came this way before" Together they passed the hui. but later encountering q small mountain stream that crossed their path, they at once urged their mounts into it up to their bellies. The horses stopped and began 10 drink.
 As Morgan's animal lowered it's head the man. feeling mite thirsty also, removed his hat and bent forward to scoop up brimful. This brought his i face nearly to level with the clear mountain stream, and aS he looked down through the transparent water i he caught sight of something glitter l ing and glowing on the pebbles below. With a yell. he arose in his stirrups, one finger pointing downward.
 "Wade in there. one of you men, and see what you findr he commanded, and a moment later q miner stood waist deep in the stream Reaching down at the point indicated by his superior, the nuns fingers came in contact with the object sought, and throwing it over his shoulder he waded to the bank At i their feet he tossed torn gunny sack partially filled with ingots of gold one of the sacks borne from the room of the girl by the hermit as she slept.
 For q moment the men gathered about the bars of virgin meral. star. ing at it as though mansfXed. Fol lowed a wild scramble into the creek in search of more. As they emerged dripping Morgan turned upon them with laugh.
 Boys, this isn't a circumstance to what the mine will give us if We can only get rid of" Suddenly he stopped. aware that the eyes of the as- sayer, the only honest man in the out ii, were fxel upon him in wonder ment.
 If we can only get rid If the bad luck which has pursued us" he fin ished lamely. Meanwhile. We had better take this find back to that shack we just passed and store if there.
 As Ethel and Iohn were making their preparations to leave for the mine, the girl took John by the hand and looked earnestly into his face.
 "All my fears and suspicious If Nor gan have returned with redoubled force You are unwilling te think evil of him. but for my sake, watch him. Don't trust him hereafter, beg of you. feel if here" Her hand stole over her heart. Somewhat wor- ried the man drew her to him.
 Your persistence weaEens my con fidence somewhat If he was q traitor it would eXpain-but l cannot believe it. Yet, for your sake. I will be on my guard and watch him. Good-byn
 You are not going to the mine with. out me?' she asked quickly. He shook his head.
 No, only 10 show the engineers to the sawmill. I'll come hack for you before I go to the mine"
 Kissing her good-by, he took 1D his rifle and went in search of the on. gineers, while she watched him until