Askov American., 1925-01-01
CHAPTER XVIII
Homing Hearts


up In the dry sunbaked West for moth
ing. The winds Of the Rockies had
entered into his character as well ms
into HIS physique. He was a willful
man, with a good deal OF granite In
his makeup. A fighter from his youth.
be did not find II easy 10 yield the
point upon which he differed from
Moyn. There was In her so much Of
impulsiye generosity that he had ex.
pected 10 oyerpower her scruples. But
she stood like a rock planted In the
soil.
II came TO him as he walked home
after a long fight with her that In his
heart he did not want her TO yield.
sne was the Moya Dwight he loved be-
cause she would not compromise with
her conviction. Yet, though he wanted
her TO stand firm, he hated the thought
Of giving way himself. II CALLED his
pride that he must come TO her with
out penny. knowing that she had the
means 10 keep them both modestly.
Nor could he. without a pang. think Of
surrenderlng the twenty-elght thou
sand dollars he had fought for and
won. He was no visionary. The value
Of money he understood perfectly. II
stood for power. place. honor, the
things that were worth having. Given
what he had, Jack knew he could
double Il In Goldbanks within the
year. There were legitimate opportu.
mites for investment that were bound
TO make rich returns. But without a
dollar he would be like Samson shorn
OF his locks.
All through the night he was Joined
In battle with himself, but when nj
early dawn he stood on the top Of Son.
of.a-Gun hin and faced sky faintly
pink with the warning Of coming
sun his decision had been made.
on his way back he met Moya and
Miss Seldom. Joyce pounced upon
him with grievance.
"You haven't told me yet how much
you're going to give for the new hos
pltal. Mr.. Kllmeny. You know we're
leaving tomorrow. and you'll have to
decide nj once. BE generous. please,
You said yourself II was a good cause"
He nodded agreement. "The most
worthy charity I know, I've often
wondered why some Andrew Carnegie
didn't set the fashion OF endowing
hospitals by wholesale. They ought
TO be free 10 all poor folks out OF
health. When man Is losing his
wages and his family Is scrimplng he
ought not 10 be facing a thirty dollar
a-week hospital charge. Yes, I'm for
the new hospital, Miss seldom"
"Ilow strong are you for III" Joyce
asked, laughing at her newly acquired
American slang, "Mr. verinder has
promised TO give me two. dollars for
every one can raise among my other
friends. SO don't be a--a--"
"a tlghtwad." supplied Moya with a
smile. she could do little In the
native slang herself
Jack went into his pocket for a
checkbook and fountain pen. He
wrote for few seconds. tore the
check from the stub, and handed II to
Joyce.
That young woman gasped.
"why-you don't really mean--it's
for twenty.eight thousand two hundred
and fourteen dollars" she cried.
"And seventeen cents. Please don't
forget that" he added,
"But--what on earth do you meanr'
Jack was looking at Moya, and she
at him with shining eyes In which JOY
swan.
Its a little thank offering, Miss
Seldom"
Because you were rescued from the
mine. suppose. Still :"
because I'm engaged 20 be married
60 the best woman in the world" he
corrected.
Joyce whirled upon Moya with In
slant dlvlnatlon. "You little wretch,
and you never told me-"
IL Miss Dwight had not known I,
herself till this moment she gave no
sign TO that effect. Were telling you
now. DEAR" she explained.
"How long have you been engagedl
Was II yesterday In the bucketr'
Jack laughed. Nothing 50 roman
tic. We've been engaged little less
than half a minute, You get the first
chance 20 wish Moya Joy on havlnE
won so great a catch. She's marrying
a pauper. you know"
II think we're very rich." differed
his sweetheart shyly.
Joyce looked from one 10 the other
suspiclously. Il haven't n notion wha,
either OF you mean, but | know I'm 20
Ing TO hang on to this check. Mr.
Millionaire Pauper."
imps OF mischief sparkied In the
highgrader's eyes "Dont forget thai
verinaer has 10 write one for twies
NJ much"
Miss seldom could not help laugh
ing. -fn see 60 that. He's not l
welcher. but ! wonder how hel
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