The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-04-23
Fair stood Nance upon Der feet.

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Nance" said Fair still In that thin,
hard voice. He hitched his holster q
little farther forward on his thigh.
81 don't know" she said 81 tore
his face to ribbons-Td have killed
him If could. He crawled that way"
She nodded toward the north.
Fair loosed her gently and was
turning away, when Bossick caught
his arm.
Hold hard, Smith--Mr. Fair" he
said. mot in your condition. Jermyn
-go see what you can find. In the
meantime Big Basford. The
boy was quick"
Here Rod Stone broke In, speaking
frankly.
I'D like 90 say, men, that when
young Allison killed Big Basford he
got the man who threw his father
down Rainbow cliff and stretched the
rope that famed the boy. John ALI
son had found the only outside way
to the rim and was looking down into
the Pot here. when Basford went to
meet him."
For long moment there was ST.
lence.
at would seem to me-" said Bos-
sick slowly, that there has been a
deal of justice done here this day
very great deal Of justice. It's
destiny"
Nance Allison looked up at him with
light in her blue eyes.
'It's the hand of God, Mr.. Bossick,"
she said gravely, mo less"
The rancher nodded.
Maybe" he said. as Jermyn and
several others who had accompanied
him, came back across the basin with
Sud Provine among them.
One look at the man was sufficient.
81 guess he's had all that was COM
ing to him for the present" said Bos-
sick grimly. "Take him along to the
house. Wen go gather In the rest"
And so, In the full day, with the ris-
en- sun touching all the tapestried
slopes of Mystery with gold. Cattle
Kate Cathrew went back to her
stronghold under the tinted cliff
went in state with a retinue behind
her.
She had died as she had lived, spec
tacularly, and her turbulent soul
should have been satisfied.
With her went one man who had
loved her after his selfish fashion, an
other who would have crawled in the
dust to kiss her feet, while third,
borne rolling Imply on saddle. fol-
lowed after more closely than any
other.
The young cowboy from the Upper
Country absent-mindedly rolled a
cigarette.
"She was worth it," he said softly
to the bearded man beside him, "in
spite Of all !"
"H-l!" said the other, "look yon-
der! One square foot of his satin
hide was worth her whole body! /
always thought he'd get her, some
time, some way. I'm going to dig up
my last dollar an buy him from who
ever owns him now"
Bluefire stood against the cliff.
watching with interested eyes this
strange procession passing.
On the broad slopes, the towering
slants, the conifers sang their ever
lasting song, tuned by the little winds
from the south.
White clouds sailed the vault above
leading their shadows for little space
upon the soft green country.
Another spring was smiling on the
Deep Hearts hills.
On the wide brown flats by Nameless
the young crops were springing, vigor-
GUS and safe, and some few herds
browsed peacefully on the rugged
range.
In the doorway Of the cabin by the
river, Nance Fair sat with Sonny In
her lap. watching the slope beyond.
won't Brand be coming soon?" the
child wanted to know. 1.-THE Rainbow
cliff is shining, so it's getting late"
"Soon-very soon, honey" said
Nance smilingly, 81 heard Dirk bark
in the buck brush yonder little while
ago."
In the room beyond Mrs. Allison
rocked contentedly.
NANCE" she said, you know this
here carpet always makes me think of
the floor of the woods, somehow, with
its brown an white. It's so fresh an
fair an SOFT
THAT'S why l got that warp" said
Nance happily, 81 felt it woodland
1t does so. Yes, 1t does so. Run,
Sonny-yonders Brand and Bud I"
Brand and Bud, riding up from the
waters of Nameless In the evening
haze. Diamond and Buckskin drawing
long breaths of satisfaction at the
sight of home.
Nance rose and waited for the lean
dark man who swung down and came
to her with Sonny on his shoulder. As
he stopped to lay his lips to hers he
looked long and tenderly into her blue
eyes.
"Heart of my heart!" he whispered.
"How's all, Brandt" called the moth
er as sue spIedu a cioeh on ehC SSouicu
table preparatory to feeding her men,
folk" as she phrased 1t.
Brand hung his hat on nail and
turned to the well as Bud came
whistling up the path.
"Fine, Nanny" he called back.
everything at Sky Lines doing well.
Rod and Minnie make things move,
and I can trust them. The only thing
that jars Is old Josefa who never fails
to tell me that all half-breeds are
fools, and that white men can't be
trusted. And then she bakes an extra
pie for Rod and smiles at Minnie
proudly. Yes-all's well. Ais well
on Nameless, eh. old-timer?"