The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1920-08-06
which the beaten ola NAH welcomed

which the beaten ola NAH welcomed
his boy.
Sonny, sonny-oh, I'm so glad
you're back. I've missed you. Bryce
I'm whipped-I'ye lost your heritage
Oh, son! I'm old can't fight any
more. I'm blind-I can't see my enc
mics. I've lost your redwood trees
even your mothers Valley of the
Giants"
And he commenced to weep for the
third time in fifty years. And when
the aged and helpless weep, nothing
Is more terrible. Bryce Cardigan said
no word, but held his father close
to his great heart and laid his cheek
gently against the old mans tenderly
as woman might. And presently,
from that silent communion of spirit,
each drew strength and comfort. AS
the shadows fell in John Cardigan's
town, they went home to the house on
the hill.
Shirley Summers eyes were moist
when George Sea Otter. in obedience
to the instructions Of his youthful
master, set her, the French maid. and
their hand-baggage down on the side
walk In front of Colonel Seth Pen
nington's house. The half-breed hest
tated a moment, undecided whether he
would carry the hand-baggage up to
the door or leave that task for a
Pennington retainer; then he noted
the tearstains on the cheeks Of his
fair passenger. Instantly he took up
the hand-baggage, kicked open the
iron gate, and preceded Shirley up the
cement walk to the door.
"Just wait moment. IL you please,
George" Shirley said as he set the
baggage down and started back for
the car. He turned and beheld her
extracting five-dollar bill from her
purse. "For you, George" she con-
tinued. "Thank you so much"
In all his life George Sea Otter had
never had such an experience-he,
happily, having been raised in a coun-
try where, with the exception of
walters, only pronounced vagrant
expects or accepts gratuity from a
woman. He took the bill and fingered
1t curiously; then his white blood as
serted itself and he handed the bill
back to Shirley.
'Thank you," he said respectfully.
eff you were man-all right. But
from a lady-no. am like my boss
/ work for you for nothing"
Shirley did not understand his re-
fusal, but her instructive tact warned
her not to insist. She returned the
bill to her purse, thanked him again,
and turned quickly to hide the slight
flush of annoyance. George Sea Otter
noted it.
"Lady," he said with great dignity,
eat first I did not want to carry your
baggage. l did not want to walk on
this land" And with n sweeping ges-
ture he indicated the Pennington
grounds. "Thcn you cry little be-
cause my boss is feeling bad about his
old man. So like you better. The
old maxwell, he has been like father
to me and my mother-and we are
Indians. My brothers, too-they work
for him. So if you like my boss and
his old man, George Sea Otter would
go to hell for you petty damn quick.
You bet your life!"
You're very good boy, George"
she replied, with difficulty depressing
q smile at his blunt but earnest
avowal. 81 am glad the Cardigans
have such an honest, loyal servant"
George Sea Offers dark face lighted
with a quick smile. Nov you pay
me-" he replied and returned to the
car.
The door opened, and a Swedish
maid stood in the entrance regarding
her stolidly "Fm Miss Sumner"
Shirley told her. "This is my maid
Narcelle. Help her in with the hand
baggage" She stepped into the hall
and calleds "Ooh-hoohl Nunky-
dunk p
came to her from the dining room,
across the entrance-hall and an in
slant later Colonel Seth Pennington
stood in the doorway. "Bless my
whiskers! Is that you, my dear?" he
cried, and advanced to greet her.
."Why, how did you get here, Shirley2
I thought you'd missed the stage"
She presented her cheek for his kiss.
$50 I did, Uncle. but nice red-haired
young man named Bryce Cardigan
found me IN distress at Red Bluff,
picked me up In his car, and brought
me here" She shifted adorably.
I'm so hungry" she declared, "and
here I am, just in time for dinner.
Is my name in the pot?"
at isn't, Shirley. but it soon will
be. How perfectly bully to have you
with me again, my dear! And what a
charming young lady you've grown
to be since I saw you last! You're
why, you've been crying! BY Jove,
/ had no idea you'd be so glad to see
me again."
She could not forego sly little smile
at his egoism. you're looking per-
fectly splendid Uncle Seth," she par
ried.
'And I'm feeling perfectly splendid.
By the way, who did you say picked
you up in his carr"
Bryce Cardigan. Do you know
him?"
...No, we haven't met. Son of old
John Cardigan, dare say. I've heard