The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-04-09

unimportant. What tell them to do,
they do. Am / not right, menY
Provine nodded easily.
Big Basford spoke sullenly.
Eyes, SIR he said.
"All right. Now, my girl. consider.
There is on Sky Line secret place"
i've always thought So" said Nance
decidedly.
BE quiet. A place which the whole
of Nameless is not likely to find. so
mysteriously is its entrance hidden.
One could live there for lifetime
undiscovered-or be taken out as If
on wings"
Like Bosswicks disappearing
steers !"
Arnold was exasperated, but held
his temper.
Exactly" he said, ''if you will.
Now consider again. You are pref
ty fine specimen of a woman-quite
likely to appeal to men-especially to
men long denied feminine companion
ship-like Basford there"
Nance flung a glance at Basford.
His sullen, lowering face set in its
thicket Of beard with the red-rimmed
eyes above was enough to chill the
heart of any woman. The great ape
like body added its own threat. Her
own intrepid spirit felt shock of hor-
ror, but that deep anger in her left
little room for fear.
She seemed to hear again Brand
Fairs exultant words: You'll never
leave the line, Nance, never in this
world!"
With a logged courage heaving
through the anger she looked back
at Arnold.
"Well?" she said.
"Big Basford hasn't had a woman
of his own for many moons, l know.
Now-will you sign this deed-or will
you go with Basford to Rainbow's pot
his blushing bride2"
Nance's breast was heaving. Great
hreaths dilated her lungs and whistled
out again. Her hands were shut tight,
the fingers on her hat brim crimping
the weathered felt.
She thought of her mammy-of Bud
of their long labor and the hard
ships they had borne. She( thought of
the cabin on Nameless-of its white
scrubbed fioors-its homely comforts
and all it meant to them and to her.
1t was her pappy's dream of empire
It had been hers. She thought of
Brand Fair and of Sonny. OF Brand
and Bud who would sure start the
fire to burning in all the lonely reaches
at news of her disappearance-and-
"Im as good as most men," she said,
ito take care of myself. ! wouldn't
sign that paper to save you and all
your rustler nest from eternal damna-
toni And that's my last word"
Arnold snapped his fingers.
Enough" he said, well see what
a night in Rainbow's pot will do for
you. Basford-my compliments. give
you the beautiful lady. Properly dis
ciplined she'll make you fine wife,"
But Big Basford shook his unkempt
head.
"She's a yellow woman" he said
CONTEMPORARY, II don't want her."
and his hungry eyes went helplessly
toward the dark splendor of Kate
Cathrew in her velvet chair.
Provine surged forward, a sudden
excitement in his snaky orbs.
81 do" he cried, ''try mel"
Arnold laughed.
Good! I like an eager lover. You
may guard Miss Allison inside. and
Basford shall take the place had
intended for you outside the Flange.
Well talk business some more tomor-
row. We bid you adieu, Miss Allison.
I hope by morning you will be more
amenable to reason"
Without a backward glance Nance
turned and strobe away between her
guards. Resistance was useless, she
well knew.
1.-THE hand of God," she said calmly.
"is ever before my face. Neither you
nor yours can do me harm for the
Lord shall preserve me from all evil,
He shall preserve my soul. And He
did not make me strong for nothing"
she added. II shall leave it all to
Him."
(TO BE CONTINUED.)