The Raymer enterprise., 1922-10-19

child caught the infection in her voice
but dlsregarded 1t.
81 owe you an apology" he said
bluntly.
"For WHAT"
Last night. couldn't resist it-I
forgot for moment that you were
there. But II hope that you'll be-
lieve me to be gentleman. In spite
Of It,"
She smiled up at him quickly.
II already have had proof OF that
II am only hoping that you will be-
lleve Newell. that you'll forget some
thing"
"iOu mean"
yes" she countered quickly, as
though to cut Off his explanation. at
seemed like great deal. Yet It was
nothing at all | would feel much hap.
pier II were sure you had dlsre-
garfed H."
FairchlId looked at her for 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 a straightforward
man:
you're not going to be offended II
| tell you s0mething"
Certainly not"
"The sheriff came along Just after
you had made the turn. He was look
Ing for nm auto bandit"
"A what?" She stared at him with
wlde-open. almost laughing eyes. "But
you don't believe"
ale was looking for a man." said
FalrChIld quietly. II 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.
II like you. Honest, ! do. liked
YOU so much when | was changing
that tire that didn't even notice It
when you put the money In my hand
well, you're not the kind OF a girl
who would do anything really wrong.
1t might be a prnnk-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
'antalIzing to Robert Falrchlld as
though she were making game OF him
what do you know about women?"
she asked finally. and Falrchild told
the truth.
Nothing"
"Thcn-" the laugh grew heartIer,
finally. however. to die away. The
girl put forth her hand But won't
say what was going to. 1t wouldn't
sound right hope that II live up
to your estimation OF me. At least
I'm thankful to you for being the man
you are And | won't forget"
And once more ter hand had rested
In his-a small. warm. caressIng thing
In spite OF the purely casual grasp
Of IN impersonal action. Again Rob
ert Falrchld felt thrill that was new
to him. and he stood watching her un-
Ill 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 IIerhcnfeder. The water was
down seventy feet.
That night Robert Fairchild 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, a cop
per wire trailing it. A push OF the
pIunger, detonution, and walt OF
long moments: II accomplished moth
ing and the pumping went on. II the
earthly remains Of Harry Ha.kins
we're below. they steadfastly refused
to come to the surface.
The water had fallen to the level
Of the drift. two hundred feet down
the pumps now were working on the
main food which still lay below.
A day more and day after that.
The water WIS now only few feet
high In the shaft; It 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.
Fairchild saw Anita Richmond and
grit,ed his teeth al the fact that young
Rodalne accompanied her. Farther in
the background. narrow eyes watch
ing closely. was Squint Rodaine. And
still farther
Fairchild gasped as he noticed the
figure pIodiing down the mountain
side. He put out hand. then. selling
the nrrvous Herbenfelder by the
shot mer. whirled him around.
Look I" he exctaimed Look there.
Didn't ! tell yop! Didn't l have a
fun"h'"