The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-04-17
The Total
Stranger
BY MARGUERITE B. ALLEN
Western Newspaper Union. }

II
= wall along one side of the pine
wood shanty stirred slightly-was fur
Their agitated-and the figure Of a
man emerged from it. He half rose
to his feet and with a looping run
made for the front door. His eyes
glittered feverishly as he cast fear
full glance over his shoulder and
Knocked at the door.
"Come in" said woman's voice.
The speaker, Myra Evans, an at
tractive woman, was sitting in cor
ner Of the room engaged in ripping
up large feather bed spread on the
floor in front of her. She raised her
clear tranquil eyes, "What do you
want?' she asked gently.
For Gods sake hide me, they're
after me-" he groaned
what did you do?"
He lifted his head and his eyes
seemed to devour her. hungrily, be-
seemingly. "Ive-I-please, please
help me-" He rose and stood staring
at her. II killed man-listen. :.
1t was over the cards. He was going
to shoot-I got him first-that's ALL"
The woman went over to the WIN
dow and drew aside the curtain.
They're coming" she said. Don't
be afraid. I'll see that they don't get
you" She sat down again and lifted
the thick mattress. "Here-get under
this"
The Gathering of horses hoofs was
heard the next instant, and the voice
Of the sheriff, calling-"Oh, Mrs. ,Ev-
ans?"
"Come right In, sheriff." she called.
Sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Evans"
said the sheriff, "but we're on the
trail of a fellow who killed man up
to BIake's saloon. Seen anyone
about?"
Search the place, sheriff, at your
leisure" returned Mrs. Evans still
smiling.
After a hurried examination Of the
house and barn, the sheriff returned
to apologize once more for disturbing
her.
heard up to Stony Creek that you
were going to marry the postmaster
next week, Mrs. Evans, is that true?"
She blushed. nodding her head.
"Glad to hear it." he answered
heartily. You should have married
long ago."
II would have but 1t will
be seven years next Monday since my
first husband disappeared, and the
law don't give me the right to marry
again until that time is up"
She waited until the sound of the
retreating hoofs died away. tits all
right now" she said.
The stranger scrambled to his feet.
mumbled.
Don't thank me ~. I'm going
to get you a cup of coffee"
When she set the steaming cup be-
fore him he turned to her. What
made you want to help total
stranger"
81 don't know, really. I guess it's
because I'm so happy myself | want
to help anyone who is in trouble. -"
you're going to be marriedi" ;,
"You heard" Her eyes shone. Hes
the best man that ever lived.
81 reckon you must have had raw
deal in life"
SITS over now. I've waited
seven years for happiness and I've
found it at last"
Seven years is a long time" re-
marked the stranger slowly. People
change lot in seven years. :.
Perhaps lie"
"Don't remind me of him. Why
should you n. l think he must
be dead He Is to nee anyhow"
The man sat staring in front Of
him. Queer now. met a fellow
some months ago who told me he had
run away from his wife years ago.
Told me he came to know too late
that he loved her and wanted her
back. He went looking for her all
over the country didn't tell
me his name"
"Oh-he wasn't dark and thin was
he?-with peculiar scar on the palm
Of his left hand?"
He looked at her steadily for mo-
ment Then he shook his head
"No-you don't need to worry. ;.
He didn't have a scar on his hand
i. and-he was quite stout
man.
"For a minute / thought.
feared. Why don't you
drink your coffee?"
HAD all / want, thaGks
won't disturb you any longer" he said
thickly. Ell be on my way"
"You mustn't leave until it gets
dark-it wouldn't be safe to go now,"
she cried.
.Tll risk it." he returned~ His hand
rested an instant on her shoulder.
THANK you, Mrs. Evans-and-I wish
you happiness"
1t was not until he had gone almost
half mile that he paused, and draw
ing his left hand from his trouser
pocket gaEed at the curious red scar
that marked the palm. Then he
clenched it, and with lips grimly set
strobe on.