Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-12-18
CHAPTER XVII


Jack heard the story Of his rescue
from India. He surprised her alone
in the breakfast-room by hobbling in
one morning after the rest had gone
She popped a question directly al
him. did the doctor say you could
get upT
Didn't ask him." he answered with
laugh, and dropped into seat across
the table.
Shaver. and dressed In clean fresh
iy pressed suit, he looked a different
man from the haggard grimy vagabond
Captain Kilmeny had brought back
with him three days earlier. The eyes
were still rather sunken and the face
a bit drawn. but otherwise he was his
very competent and debonair self. His
Good mornin', India" was as CHEEKY
and matter Of fact as II those Ave
days of horror had never existed.
Don't believe It will hurt you" Her
bright eyes were warm In their ap-
prevail Of him. "You look lot filter
than you did even yesterday. It's aw-
fully jolly to see you around again.
Cousin Jack"
I'm enjoying II myself" he con-
coded. Anything Of Importance In
that covered dish over thereY
Tell me all about It," she ordered,
handing him the bacon. Then. with q
shudder, she added: "Must have been
rather awful down there"
"Bad enough" he admitted lightly.
Tell me-" She leaned forward.
chin in hand.
"Whats the usef Those fellows put
me down. Your brother took me up.
That's ALL"
at isn't all. Ned says II Is per-
fectly marvellous the way you dug that
tunnel and escaped from being crushed.
and then dug II again after 1t had
caved."
Couldn't lie down and quit. could
II A man In the hole ! was can't pick
and choose" He smiled lazily at her
and took muffin from plate handed
him by the waiter. MY turn to ask
questions. I want the full story Of
how you guessed was In the west
SHAFT Of the Golden Nuggetr
Haven't you heard? It was Moya
guessed it-from the tapping on the
pipe. you know"
$50 I've been told. Now let's have
the particulars" His eyes went arrow
straight into hers and rested there.
India told him. She knew that Ned
would make a safer husband for Moya
than this forceful adventurer. II was
quite likely to be on the cards that he
cared nothing for her friend. Indeed,
his desperate Irritation with Joyce In
dicated as much. Moreover. Moya
would not marry a man whom she
could not respect. one who made his
living by dishonest practices. But In
spite Of all these objections Miss Kill
meny told her cousin how Moya had
fought for his life against ridlcule and
unbelief, regardless Of what any Of
them might think Of her.
He made one comment when she
had finished. $50 I have to thank
Moya Dwight for my life"
"Moya alone. They laughed at her.
but she wouldn't give up. I never saw
anybody so stubborn. There's some
thing splendid In her. She didn't care
what any Of rs thought. The one thing
In her mind was that she was going to
save you. So Mr.. Bleyer had to get
up from dinner and find out from the
maps where the pipe went He traced
II to the old west shaft Of the Golden
Nugget"
and what did You Think" he asked,
watching her steadily.
"I admired her pluck tremendously.
did verinder-and Bleyer-and
Lady Farquhar"
How do I know what they thoughtr
famed the girl. "If Mr.verinder Is cad
enough She stopped, recalling GER
tain obligations she was under to that
gentleman.
"why did she do 1T"
She flashed a look Of feminine scorn
at him. you'll have TO ask Moya
that-if you want to know"
He nodded his head slowly. That's
lust what I'm going to do"
you'll have more time to tax WIN
her-pow that Joyce Is engaged and
darenr nirt with you" his cousin sus'
gested maliciously.
Though ne tried to carry this on
with Q laugh. the color mounted 10 ms
face. I've been several kinds OF an
idiot In my time"
Don't you dare try any nonsense
with Moya." her friend cried. . little
nercely.
~No." he agreed
~She's not Joyce"
He had an answer for that To
marry her tomorrow II she'd take me-
you mean you
Yea From the FIRST day l met her
again And I didn't know II uil !
was down In that he'll hole. Shall /
tell you somethingr He put his arms
on the table and leaned toward her
With shlning eyes she was with me