The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-01-22


such brilliant finesse. who had not 20
far failed to get what she wanted
from life, had failed to get those flats
the best feeding ground for cattle
in hundred miles of range.
Cattle Kate Cathrew frowned as she
regarded the tiny brown scar on the
green bowl so far below and tapped
her slim muscular fingers on the
peeled arm of the handmade rocker.
For half an hour she sat so, her
chin on her hand, thinking.
Then at last she slaughtered and
called Minnie Pine from the inner re-
gions.
"Send me CALDWELL" she said briefly.
When presently the foreman came
from the corrals and stood before her.
his hat In his hand, his attitude one
Of strict attention, she spoke swiftly
with a certain satisfaction.
When she had finished, he said.
Sure It's a pretty long trick. but 1t
can be DONE"
'"Then do It," said Kate Cathrew,
when l give the word Well wait a
little, however-until the corn shows
green from here. The better 1t looks
one day the greater will be the con-
trast next. That's ALL"
1.-THE devils are working In the Boss
head again." said Minnie Pine, who
had listened behind the window,
speaking TO old Josefa in their poly
glot Spanish and Pomo. "and HIS
going to pop for the sun-woman on
Nameless."
"How do you known asked the
ancient dame. weaving basket In
dim green grasses.
Because l heard what she said to
Caldwell"
"You hear too much. An overloaded
basket-breaks"
'Huh," grunted the half-breed, "the
open eye sees game-for its owners
fattening."
"What are you two talkin' aboutT
asked the slim boy whom Big Bas-
ford had so nearly murdered that day
on the porch. always talkin' In that
id native tongue. Why don't you
learn white mans talk, Minnie?"
The girl wheeled to him where he
leaned in the kitchen door. and her
comedy dark face flushed with pleas
ure.
would you like me any betterT'
Sure" he said, make you seem a
little whittier anyway"
There was cruelty in the careless
speech, and 1t did not miss its mark.
though Minnie Pines dark eyes gave
no sign.
1.-THE young-green-tree-w ith-the-rising-
sun-behind-it may want to talk the
white mans tongue" said old Josefa
grirnly, ''but she's q fool. All half
breeds are. They reap sorrow"
The boy laughed and his face came
the nearest to wholesome youth of
any at Sky Line. 1t still held some
thing of softness, of humorous toler-
ance and good temper, as If not all its
heritage of good intent had been
warped away to wickedness.
His blue eyes regarded the big girl
with approval, passing over her sleek
black hair that shone like a crows
wing, her placid brow and unwavering
dark eyes. her high cheeks and re-
pressed thin lips.
"Pll give you a kiss, Minnie" he
drawled. "for half that cream pie yon-
der"
Minnie looked at the pie and at
Josefa, speaking swiftly.
The old woman nodded.
'If the mountain-stream wants to
waste itself on the greedy sands" she
said, "who am l to counsel otherwise
Yonder is the pie"
Minnie crossed the clean white floor
and taking the pie from the window
ledge where it sat cooling, divided 1t
neatly. She fixed the two quarters
on plate from the cupboard and add
| ing fork, carried the whole to the
| boy.
| She was the embodiment of the
| spirit of womanhood since the world
was-selling her service to man for
love.
take 1t, Rod Stone" she said.
1t was Indicative of her race that
she did not exact her payment first.
1t was sufficient that she serve. If the
white man chose to pay, to keep his
word, so much the better.
Stone took the plate and put one
arm about the splendid broad shout
| ders.
! Bending down, he kissed the half
! breed full on the lips-and for Sec
ond the black eyes glowed. Minnie
Pine put hand on his cheek with q
caress infinitely soft.
"Humph," said Josefa, in English
this time and pointedly. Il, too, have
| stood in the bend of mans arm-but
mine was full-blood Pomo. l did not
live to cover my head and weep"
"Shut up, Josefa," said the boy
laughing again, neither will Minnie
| through me-"
At that moment the door to the
south part of the house opened noise
lessly, and Kate Cathrew stood there
scanning the group with her keen
| glance.
| Stone" she said coldly. sis this the
best you can do to earn your wages
Get out with the men-go quick. Min
ME, IL / see any more of this you'll
go back where / got you. Josefa
what's the matter with your rule out
here? Do you let all the morning be
wasted without carer
Josefa gazed at her out of old eyes
calm with much looking on life, undis
turbed.
mot always" she answered, "but
too, have been young. Minnie will