The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-10-11

opened IL and with trembling fingers
counted out $50 in worn bills. The
interest She held out the money to
Abe, but he refused ii with a gesture.
"All or nothing. Indy. hate to
do ii. but got TO be firm I'll pay
you back cash for every cent due you.
The money will give you start some
where else. I'm offered more for the
place this minute than | asked when
| sold il TO John Rand. Ed Holmes
wants it, Indy, | can't turn down a
good cash offer for it, you know"
"Ed Holmes - Lindy's face was
scarlet now. i've seen him shopping
round en- my hill yonder. ] don't
know what he's looking for. But he's
going to keep off the premises as long
as | occupy them or-or I'll drive him
off with a shotgun !"
whats thiS?" Abe looked in aston
ment ar the palpitating little figure of
the young woman.
Indy pointed toward the chicken
coop within which the hawk was glow
ering.
II just shot him." she said.
"Yes, mother did, tool" cried loyal
Jack.
Abe looked at the hawk, which he
hadn't noticed before.
Guess I'll have TO warn Ed to stay
away" he said. Then as Indy again
held ont the money TO him pleadirgly
he turned from her and went to his
ear. Stepping in. he drove swiftly
away.
Weak and faint Indy sat down on
the doorstep. Abe had refused the in
terest. That meant he was deter
mined to get rid of her. He wanted
to LET Ed Holmes have the place. What
did Ed want TO for? What was he
doing up there in that stone patch?
"Jack and Elsie" she called. "You
stay here and watch the chickens I'm
going up on the hill for little while"
She hadn't been on the hill since
John died. 1t was nothing but an old
rock pile anyway; no good land. John
had paid much more than the place
was worth and now Abe Akroyd was
squeezing her for the payments.
She climbed up to where she had
seen Ed Holmes a few days before.
Just inside the woods she stopped
aghast. Before her some freshly dug
earth and clippings of rock. Ed
Holmes had been digging into her
land. What for? What did he hope
to find in barren place like this?
Indy ran all the way back to the
house.
Ten minutes later she was racing
toward town, the two children bob
hing on the back seat of the old
f1ivver.
Down Main street she drove, past
all the lawyers Offices until she came
TO a shabby house, where on the porch.
sat an old man reading a big book.
"Mr. WhiteI" Indy said, going up
to him. You've read just about ev-
erything. John always said you were
the best informed man in these parts.
I've got a mystery to solve. You
know what my land is. You know
what. that hill, back of the house Is.
What would a man like Ed Holmes
find there to interest him?"
"Been shopping round there. has
he?" inquired the old man.
digging dirt. chipping off pieces OF
rock"
ed Holmes. you know, Indy, has
made great study of the rocks here
abouts. He prides himself on being a
genuine geologist. Yes, yes. Guess
I'll go home with you. Indy, and
see what I make out"
Back toward home raced Indy with
the one person she felt she could abb
solutely trust She helped the old
man IN the hill; she boosted him up.
He knelt down. He picked up bit
of rock. He held the specimen close
to his eyes. The light and life OF
youth streamed into his old face.
"Blue graniteI" he said. "Yes, yes.
Indy, don't you breathe word of
this to anyone. There's a plot on foot
to rob you. But you'll fool 'em, Indy,
if you just keep your mouth shut"
For the second time that day Indy
raced to town. 1t was near sunset
when she located Abe Akroyd. Mr.
White had lent her the money to make
the last payment, and Abe reluctantly
| received it.
Ed Holmes had not let Abe know
why he wanted the Rand place. When
he found out that he couldn't have II
he was furious, but not half so furi.
! Gus as Abe himself.
AS for Indy, who had outwitted
them both and who found herself
about to become a rich woman, she
| went home and commiserated with the
| captive hawk.
keep up your courage. old boy
she said. "Your wing is going to
mend nicely. And then you'll be able
to dy again. owe you something and
always pay my debts"
| Ioyes. neuaauds