The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-05-08

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you and me've got to work together
on this game and not try to cross one
another. Play fair with me and TIL
play fair with you. / want you to
make that girl act sensible. She's like
tigress. Now you're an intelligent
woman. You know how l feel about
her. and quarrelling won't help mat
tiers. 1t won't last, and then I'll come
back to you
Estelle drew her hands out of Rath-
ways grasp and placed them on his
shoulders. looking searchingly into his
face.
Now, Jim, I want you just TO lis
ten to me-" she said. "You know
you've never gone wrong when you've
followed my advice. And guess you
know I'm the only friend you've got
in the world. don't you, Jim?"
well, what If that's so?" he NUT
tered.
Il told You you'd made a mistake
in bringing that girl here before"
Aye" he sneered, land you told
me old Pelly's mine didn't exist. And
I've got the gold I've got the gold, |
tell you'll" he cried exuItantly.
II was wrong, then. but that was
matter of fact and not of Judgment
Jim, you know this is nothing but an
infatuation of yours AS you said. 1t
won't last. And what are you going
to do with her afterward? You know
what it'll mean to you" Estelle was
pleading now. "You know when Nc
Grath learns the truth, he'll raise the
whole country against you. Let her
go, Jim. What do you mean to do?"
You know what / mean to dol"
snarled Railway; but he could not
meet her gaze.
Estelle laid her hand on his arm.
"Jim, did you ever have pity on any
one in your life?" she asked.
"Oh, maybe, when was young and
foolish"
did you ever feel respect for any
woman, Jim?"
"Ah, cut out that line of talk, Es-
telle! Don't try to ride the moral
horse when it's just plain jealousy
one female jealous of another. That's
all it is"
'It's not, Jim. And you'll regret
what you're planning to do. Jim, IL
feel you're slipping your neck into a
moose"
He leaped back and swore violently
at her. "Cut out that talk, tell you I"
he shouted, almost beside himself.
Jim, listen-just listen. guess
I'm not what anyone would call good
woman, but I was like that girl once,
and-I can't bear it, Jim. Jim, I'll do
anything in the world for you if you'll
have pity on her. 1t may be there's
jealousy, too. but it's much more
much more for her sake-and for
yours"
Estelle was working herself into one
of her hysterical frenzies Railway
grew crafty. 1t is not easy for man
TO fool woman, except when she is
in love with him. Then it isn't very
hard. And Estelle was desperately
eager to be deceived.
"See here, Estelle," said Railway
gently, you know if l let her go what
would happen. I've got to keep her
here till l know there's going to be
no come back. I've got to see this
thing through She'll come TO no
harm at my hands"
Estelle looked at him eagerly. "Jim.
you mean that?" she cried. "You
swear that you mean it?"
II mean more than that. You
know me and you are partners.
through thick and thin, for good while
now, though we've had our quarrels.
Well, / won't deny what you said
about an infatuation. But I'm getting
to see things reasonable. And you're
my old partner, Stella"
What fool the woman was-ali
women were! She was clinging t.
him, looking up at him with that alb
surd expression on her face that had
once set his heart leaping. How he
hated her!
slim Jim, dear. If l could dare
to believe what you're saying"
"Oh, / guess you can believe me.
Stella" Railway answered easily.
'Tll have to keep her here week or
so, just 10 snow McGratn m not run
ming away. You see. there's Ander
sons accident. He fell down the cliff
killed at once. of course; and If
was to go away now, they'd think
thered been foul play or something"
"You-you swear it was an accident,
Jim?"
"Sure it was! So you see, Stella.
I've got to keep her here a little while
Then We'll get away from here for
ever. you and me, and the gold"
"Oh, Jim, you've made me happier
than I've been since-since you seemed
to cease to care. You do care for me a
little, Jim?" she asked, nesting
against him.
"As much as ever" answered Rath-