The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-09-28


"Nothlng--so far. Except that there
is plenty OF water in the shaft. I'm
trying not to believe IT,"
81 hope II isn't true" Her voice was
low and serious. "Father was talking
to me-about you. And we hoped you
two would succeed-thls time"
Evidently her father had told her
more than she cared TO relate. Fair
child caught the infection in her voice
but dlsregarded IT,
81 owe you an apology" he said
bluntly.
For what1"
Last night. ! couldn't resist tt
forgot for moment that you were
there. But IL hope that you1l be-
lieve me to be n gentleman. In spite
OF IT,"
She smiled up nt him quickly.
81 already have had proof OF that.
II am only hoping that you will be-
lleye Newell, that youll forget some
thing"
"You mean"
"Yes," she countered quickly, as
though to cut Off his explanation. at
seemed like great deal. Yet It was
nothing at all. I would feel much hap
pier II l were sure you had dlsre-
garded IT,"
Falrchlld looked at her for a long
time, studying her with his serious
blue eyes, wondering ABOUT many
things, wishing that he knew more of
women and their ways. At last he
said the thing that he felt, the straight
forward outburst of straightforward
man:
"You're not going to be offended II
| tell YOU somethlng?'
Certainly not"
"The sheriff came along Just after
you had made the turn. He was look
ing for an auto bandit"
"A whatT" She stared Mt him with
wlde-open, almost laughing eyes. 'But
you don't believe"
"IIe was looking for man." said
Falrchild quietly. IL told him that
| hadn't seen anything but-a boy. |
was willing TO do that then-because
| couldn't believe that girl like you
would" Then he stumbled and halt
| ed. A moment he sought speech while
she smiled up at him. Then out II
came: II don't care what It was.
IL like you. Honest, do. liked
you so much when | was changing
that tire that / didn't even notice Il
when you put the money in my hand.
well, you're not the kind OF a girl
who would do anything really wrong.
| II might be prank-or something
like that-but II wouldn't be wrong.
$3.50 there's an end TO IT,"
Again she laughed softly, in a way
| tantalizing TO Robert Fairchild, as
though she were making game of him.
"What do you know about women?"
she asked finally, and Falrchild told
| the truth
"Nothng."
"Then-" the laugh grew heartler,
finally, however, 10 die away. The
girl put forth her hand. "But | won't
say what | was going to. 1t wouldn't
sound right | hope that IL live up
to your estimation OF me. At least
I'm thankful to you for being the man
you are. And I won't forgetr
And once more her hand had rested
in hls-a small, warm, caresslng thing
In spite OF the purely casual grasp
| Of an impersonal action. Again Rob
ert Fairchild felt a thrill that was new
| TO him and he stood watching her un-
| I'll she had reached the motor car
which had brought her to the big
curve, and had faded down the hill.
Then he went back to assist the sweat
Ing workmen and the anXious-faced
sam Herbenfelder. The water was
| down seventy feet.
That night Robert Falrchild sought
few hours sleep. Two days after the
| town still divided its attention be-
tween preparations for the Old Times
dance and the progress In the dewater-
Ing of the Blue Poppy shaft. Now
and then the long hose was withdrawn.
and dynamite lowered on floats to the
surface Of the water, far below, cop
per wire trailing II. A push OF the
| plunger, a detonation, and a wait OF
long moments; II accomplished moth
ing, and the pumping went on. II the
| VI tlhITN IihEklnS
were below, they steedfastly refused
TO come to the surface.
The water had fallen to the level
OF the drift, two hundred feet down I;
the pumps now were working on the
main flood which still lay below.
A day more and day after that.
The water was now only a few feet
high in the shaft II meant that the
whole great opening, together with the
drift tunnel, soon would be dewatered
TO an extent sufficient to permit OF
exploration. Again the motor cars
ground up the narrow roadway. Out
side the tunnel the crowds gathered
Falrchild saw Anita Richmond and
gritted his teeth at the fact that young
Rodalne accompanied her. Farther in
the background narrow eyes watch
ing closely, was Squint Rodaine. And
still farther
| EairpbNId yaCnad ne ha nntf,a1 thn