The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-03-18
By FRANK II. .SPEARMAN
Copyright by Scribner'a Sons
Copyright by Charles Scribner's Sons.
WNU Service.

tune in coai-oil brought two thousand
miles to burn; in an air reeking. with
the fumes of tobacco smoke and
breaking at times into boisterous RI
baldry, Selwood seemed yet some
times to hear. between the .monoto-
nous clicking Of chips. the calls Of the
dealers, and whir Of roulette wheels,
the cadence Of girls voice--a ca
dence to start into life a mans first
dream-one that may find place even
In the heart Of a man already case
hardened.
Chance. which always favors the
persistent, came one day to Selwood's
aid. Fyler lay in the tent Ill, and that
day Christie had to act as cashier.
SelwOod put in an appearance just
before noon, and saw Christie in the
receipt of custom. Big Haynes, per-
spring. was knocking down the mer-
chandise glibly and Selwood wormed
his way among the buyers back to
FLYERS box. Christie, her cape care
fully folded and lying on a shelf be-
hind her and her bonnet held loosely
by the strings, hanging back on her
neck, stood newly revealed to Selwood
1t was not so much that she looked
prettier, but that she presented new
charms-her brown hair was only
like many another wofnan'ss brown
hair, but to Selwood it was something
nnvnr hnforo c,vcnoofod In tho uOrlI {.
her cheeks suffused and her eyes
bright with the excitement of her un-
accustomed work, were just a repe-
tition of natures eternal challenge to
mankind.
Not for an instant did the gam
bier hesitate-he who so often staked
a frontier fortune on the turn Of
card knew too we'll how long it may
be before the same card turns again
to fill hungry hand. He took off his
hat as he walked to her-that alone
set him apart from the other men.
and caught her eye in spite Of her
resolve not to see man. but only
men. in her enforced servitude.
'Father away?" asked Selwood.
meeting her look with the necessary
decision in his own eyes. Christie was
wrapping up package. She had seen
the man of silence more than once
near her fathers desk and was the
less afraid of him. Hes not very
we'll; l made him stay in the tent
this morning."
Selwood seemed to understand and
accept the entire situation without
need Of further words. Haynes was
redoubling his shouting, and his sue
cess kept Christie busy at the settling
scQuRter. A. miner, 2 although it was
summer in Sleepy. Cat. bid in a pair
Of fur gloves. To pay he threw down
a twenty-dollar bill. Christie looked
desperately, In her cigar-box cash
drawer for change. 1t was not to be
found. Selwood drew from his pock-
ct, without speaking, roll Of bills.
bigger roll than Christie had ever
seen. and tossed it toward her. The
roll stopped almost under her hand.
She looked up. and in doing so met
Selwood's eyes. MAKE the change
out Of that" he said dryly. And, as
there still seemed question In her
eyes he added: "Help YOURSELF"
: She attempted toslaugh. ''oh. would
you give me little change? They've
swept the drawer just about Clean"
she confessed with another nervous
little laugh, and held the twenty-dol-
lar bill appealingly toward him.
He pointed to the roll. "Plenty of
small bills there" he suggested, with
only trace of interest. Help your
self" And with this invitation he
walked away, while the man in front
Of her waited.
Christie called in CONSERVATION.
He could not, or would not, hear.
The men about her laughed; the
miner asked for his change; Selwood
had disappeared.
Next morning he was back-and at
eleven o'clock. The auction-room
crowd was gathering when Selwood
arrived and the buying had begun to
be spirited. Christie stood again con-
demned to the cashiers desk. She
looked up in moment and saw the
silent man in the big hat standing
almost beside her.
Father laid up YETI" Selwood put
the question as soon as he caught
her eye.
Christie. heightened In color by her
confusion. told him she feared her
father was quite i'll. Then, stopping
her work, she delved into a corner
of the big cigar box, and from under
the loose money drew a roll of bills
carefully tied with a number of
strings and held it toward him. "You
ran away yesterday and left all this
money"
She waited for his comment; he
made none-only regarded her grave
ly. "Please take 1t, quick" she added