The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-04-02
Copyright by the Mccall Company
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CHAPTER XVI-Continued


boys on double shift. knew they
would find out that he is still alive and
might try to finish the Job-so he
would never talk-Sky Line, / mean.
And now, Mr.. Bossick, think we'd
better 30 talk to Jermyn and the rest.
I'm only sorry Selwood isn't able to be
with us"
"This is pretty bunch to bring back
to me, Caldwell" said Kate Cathrew,
tapping her foot with whip. zone
man disabled and another pounded into
jelly. Who's this On stranger who's
SO handy with his gum"
Names Smith," said the foreman
Erlkily, land I'd better tell you right
now, that Selwood isn't dead. He's
alive and they're waiting for him to
come round so he cap-talk."
Cutie Hates face famed red.
"Not dead2 Bring Provine nere!"
But she would not wait as was her
won't when summoning her men. She
whlrled and strobe along the veranda
TO meet Provine who came In no good
grace.
i've a notion to kill you on the
SPOT r. she cried furiously. you fool
bungleri OF all the crazy, wild, i'm
possible thingsl Why didn't you get
that mann The one person In the world
who knew of the Flange and Rainbow's
Pot behindI You let him get away |"
"Done my best" said the man evilly,
"and to HI with those who don't
like II"
Quick as a flash the woman raised
her whip and struck him.
With a roar he returned the blow,
and Big Basford who had followed,
leaped for him, clawing with his good
hand, but Caldwell knocked Provine
down instead.
"Take him away" said Kate Cath
rev coldly, her hand at her cheek,
Lawrence Arnold will be here soon.
I'll let him deal with this"
1t was night again and the stars
were hung like lanterns In the sky.
The little wind was coming up the
river, the little soft wind that Nance
Allison loved.
Once more she sat In the doorway
with Brand Fair beside her. There
was no light on the table this time, so
that she could not see his face with
Its quiet dark eyes, its thick hair above
and the straight line Of his lips with
their gentle smile. But the feel of his
arm against her own as he held the
sleeping child, set up that nameless
longing In her, the glowing glory Of
unknown Joy which had become Of late
, sadness.
She was filled with vague sorrows
and premonitions, as IL, having found
the priceless possession of this mans
companionship. she was about to
lose 1t.
1t was not death wholly that she
feared, but a more subtle thing, an
inhibition Of the spirit, gulf that
seemed to lie all shadowy between
them-a dark, mysterious gulf where
in the imperious face Of Kate Cathrew
swirled amid the shadows.
But presently Fair spoke and she
! shook off her depressing forebodings.
Nance" he said softly, so low that
his deep voice was scarce more than a
! whisper, II have wanted to tell you
more Of my life and Sonny's for long
time, but somehow 1t seemed too bad
to add another's burdens to those
| which you already bear, even though
| vicariously. However, the time seems
nearly ripe for me to reap the reward
| one way or another, Of those years OF
effort and hardship which have spent
running Kate Cathrew to earth. What
| this reward will be I don't know, OF
, course. No one can foretell. The men
! of Sky Line are hard bunch, Grim
/ inals and worse. They'll never be dug
out Of that nest of theirs without q
fight and hard one. Somebody's go
!. Ing to be killed. that's certain r.
| He heard the girl catch her breath
in little gasp, and shifting Sonny, he
put his arm around her.
However 1t does come out. there's
one thing want to tell you, package
/ / want to give you for safekeeping
Will you listen, NanceY
The big girl nodded dumbly. Her
heart was throbbing painfully, the
breath labored In her lungs. A trem.
bling set up along her muscles, and
| the stars seemed to dance on the black
velvet of the sky.
! Gently Fair leaned down until his
/ face was against her cheek, frightened
his clasp.
ST have been all over this land OF
| ours" he said presently, "and In some
several others. / have met many
women-of many classes. l have beer
no saint and no great sinner But al
ways In my secret heart there has
been a place all swept and garnished
and empty, Nance.
"Since the day In Blue Stone canyor
when / first beheld you rocking the
child in your lap this secret place has
been gloriously full. Nance-Nance
i II have been like a worshiper with
out, laying my forehead to the sill
All the things have dreamed of
find In you-the strength. the sweet
ness, the courage. You are beautiful
as few women In this world are beauti
ful-and you are too good for any man
But I-haye dared to love you"