The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-03-18
CHAPTER VI-Continued

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Hell be pretty sore tomorrow
morning. But that won't mean any
thing. Did Starbuck get those fellows
out OF the store for your
Little escaped Selwood. She turned
her face quickly TO one side. NO"
she said, looking down, 'he did not"
Whats the matter?"
The"
"Wel?"
"Pm afraid 1 can't explain. I only
wish"-she spoke from the heart
II might never see him again."
We'll" exclaimed Selwood, "f
that's the situation I won't ask any
more questions. So he wouldn't do
anything?"
NO." bIurted out Christie, now
angry at the recollection, mot un-
less"
Unless whatf'
She clasped her hands. unless
I'd do something I refused to do"
An expletive, like a pistol-shot, es-
capped the listener. Il promised to
ask no more questions" said Sell
wood, but I've got to ask just one. Is
he fit to live-Or isn't hep
Frightened, she looked up. "Tm
making it worse and worse-I didn't
ear to-please don't be so terribly
angry. l see / must say what 1 hoped
! might escape-he said he would help
father-if I would marry him !"
Selwood did not laugh. His distress
was toe evident. And you refused?"
was all he said. What did your
father say"
That U deep. Christie could only
hold the gambler to his word. you
said you wouldn't ask any more ques-
TONS she replied simply; but she
had a turn Of simplicity that was
~silencing.
Selwood drew a breath. I'm glad
/ happened back tonight, anyway.
Perhaps something can be done. Can
your father hear US here?"
Hes asleep"
But he has ears. There's nothing
he might not hear, only 1 don't like
listeners. 1 don't believe you're afraid
or me. Step over this way a minute"
Selwood spoke when they stood to-
eether, away from possible caves
choppers. Your father isn't hurt so
much" he said quickly, that he might
not startle her. But he can't very
well do this, so you must. The min
ute day breaks tomorrow morning be
dressed, leave this tent, and walk
straight TO the store. You needn't
be afraid. You won't see anybody,
but you will be WATCHED !, and safe,
from the minute you leave the tent
TIL you're back in it. When you get
TO the store. If you see an Indian
sitting on the front steps, walk right
I'd TO him and ask for the key to
the store. He'll give 1t TO you. Ask
him TO watch the store till you come
back after breakfast. He will. Then
get Carpy, early, at the hotel, and
have your father carried I'D to the
store on his cot. He'd better stay
there day and highland you, too
till he's up!"
AS Christie listened, a wave Of con-
triton swept over her. She felt re-
buked. To have sighted such a man
as these words and this darkness re-
vesled Selwood TO her, In favor of
q man such as she now realized Star
buck must be, was quite enough to
humble her.
She looked at him without answer
ing. Where he stood the big moon
lighted his face, for he had surren-
dered the shadow to her own.
"vhat," she asked, "are you going to
do. l hope you won't go into any
danger on my fathers account"
He suppressed a laugh. Not as
much as I'm in now" It was a fool
ish thing TO say. He tried TO hedge,
but, alarmed, she u him off "What
do you mean? You've been far too kind
- US TO get into any trouble for our
sakes. I only wish we were away
from here"
"rm willing to get into trouble II
you'll stay. I'd rather hunt for a lit
tie than see you leave"
Christie tossed of a sense of en-
barrassment. MY leaving couldn't
possibly meal anything to-any one
In Sleepy Cat"
1T l could tell you what II would
mean TO me you might change your
mind on that point" She regarded
him in the moonlight rather bravely
till he had said that much. After
he spoke she was silent-almost re-
ceptiye; but he added desperately,
There's just one miserable blamed
reason why 1 can't"
Christie changed the subject in
~stantly. Wherever we go we couldn't
End a kinder friend-father said this
morning. It's when trouble comes that
real friends count. And your infu-
ence would be good on father" Sell
wood started a little. I'm so afraid
now ot his running with these awful
gamblers. down in River street"
Selwood looked away. Christie spoke
on very seriously: "Of all men In the
world I think gamblers are meanest
don't your