The Holbrook news., 1922-10-20

lieve me to be a gentleman, In spite of it."
 She smiled up at him quickly.
 T already have had proof of that EI am only hoping that you will be- lieve newell, that you'll forget some thing"
 "You mean"
 "Yes," she countered quickly. as though to cut off his explanation Ut seemed like great deal. Yet 1t was nothing at all. I would feel much hap pier if I were sure you had disre- garded It."
 Fairchild 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 a straightforward man:
 You're not going to be offended If I tell you something?"
 Certainly not"
 "The sheriff came along just after you had made the turn. He was look ing for an auto bandit"
 "A what?" She stared at him with wide-open, almost laughing eyes. "But you don't believe"
 "He was looking for a man," said Fairchild quietly. TT told him that I hadn't seen anything but-a boy. I was willing to do that then-because I couldn't believe that a girl like you would" Then he stumbled and halt ed. A moment he sought speech while she smiled up at him. Then out it came: TT don't care what 1t was. Fl like you. Honest. I do. liked you so much when I was changing that tire that didn't even notice 1t when you put the money in my hand. I-well, you're not the kind of a girl who would do anything really wrong. It might be a prank-or something like that-but 1t wouldn't be wrong. So-so 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 womenT she asked finally. and Fairchild told the truth.
 "Nothing."
 Then" the laugh grew heartier, finally, however. to die away. The girl put forth her hand. But I won't say what I was going to. It wouldn't sound right. I hope that Fl live up to your estimation of me. At least I'm thankful to you for being the man you are. And I won't forget!"
 And once more her hand had rested in his-a small. warm, caressing thing in spite of the purely casual grasp of an impersonal action. Again Rob- ert Fairchild felt thrill that was new to him, and he stood watching her un- til 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 Fairchild sought few hours sleep. Two days after the town still divided It's 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 1t. A push of the plunger. a detonation, and a wait of long moments; it accomplished noth- ing, and the pumping went on. If the earthly remains of Harry Harkins were 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 flood which still lay below.
 A day more and a day after that. 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 gritted his teeth at the fact that young Rodaine accompanied-h Farther in the background, narrow eyes watch ing closely, was Squint Rodaine. And still farther
 Fairchild gasped as he noticed the figure plodding down the mountain side. He put out hand. then, seizing the nervous Herbenfelder by the shoulder, whirled him around.
 Look l' he exclaimed. Look there ! Didn't I tell you! Didn't I have a hunchT'
 For, coming toward them jauntily, slowly. was a figure in beaming blue, a Fedora on his head now, but with tae rest of his wardrobe intact, yellow, bump-toed shoes and all. Someone shouted. Everybody turned. And as they did so, the figure hastened its pace. A moment later, a booming voice sounded, the unmistakable voice of Harry Harkins:
 "I syel What's the matter over there? Did somebody fall in?" The putting of gasoline engines ceased. A moment more and the gur- gling cough of the pumps was stilled, while the shouting and laughter of a great crowd sounded through the hills. A leaping form went forward. Sam Herbenfelder. to seize Harry, to pat him ana paw him, as though in assur- ance that he really was al ve, then to grasp wildly at the ring on his finger. But Harry waved him aside.