The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-07-26

a-eristle like gutter-bred cur, was
Winklestein-
felt myself grow suddenly. savage
ly angry. | measured the man for a
moment and determined could handle
him.
4 want" said soberly, to ste the
body of my old friend"
"You do, do You? Well, you darned
well won't Besides. there amt no
body here"
you're liarI" ! observed. "Bui
It's no use wasting words on you. I'm
going on anyhow"
With thar gripped him suddenly
and threw him sideways with some
force. One of the tent ropes took
away his feet violently. and there On
the snow he sprawled. glowering al
me with evil eyes.
Now" said |. 1--WE got a gun, and
if you try any monkey business. III
fix you so quick you won't know what's
happened"
The bluff worked. He gathered him.
self up and followed me into the tent,
looking the picture of malevoIent inn
potence. On the ground lay longish
object covered with blanket Wi !
a strange feeling of reluctant horror ]
| lifted the covering. Beneath il lay the
body of the old man.
He was lying on his back, and had
not been squeezed out of all human
semblance like so many of the others.
Nevertheless, he was CHASTITY enough,
with his blush face and wide bulging
eyes. felt around his waist Ha
the money belt was gonel
''Winklestein," | said. turning sud-
denly on the little Jew. 81 was this
dead mans friend. I'm still his grand
daughters friend. I'm going TO see
justice done. This man had two thou
sand dollars in gold belt round his
waist. 1t belongs TO the girl now.
You've got to give il up, Winklestein,
or by"
Prove it, prove it," he spluttered.
You're q liar; she's a far; you're
all a pack of liars. trying TO black
mail decent man. He had no money,
| say!"
"Oh. you vile wretch !" cried. I've
a mind TO choke your dirty throat
But I'll hound you till ! make you
cough up that money. Where's
Berna?"
Suddenly he had become quietly
malicious.
Find her." he jibed; find her for
yourself. And take yourself out of
my sight as quickly as you please"
I saw he had me over a barrel, so.
with a parting threat, left him. A
tent nearby was being run as restau-
rant. and there had a cup of coffee.
OF the man who kept il, fat, humor-
Gus cockney. made inquiries regard
ing the girl. Yes. he knew her. She
was living il yonder tent with Madam
Winklestein.
thanked him, gulped down my
coffee. and made for the tent The
flap was down, but I raped on the
canvas. and presently the dark face of
Madam appeared When she saw me,
il grew darker.
"What d'yoH want?" she demanded.
81 want 70 see Berna," | said.
"Then you can't Can't you hear
her? Isn't that eDough?"
Surely could hear very low, pitt
full sound coming from the tent, some
thing between sob and a 1nan. like
the wailing of an Indian woman over
her dead. only infinitely subdued and
anguished. was shocked. awed. im-
measurably grieved.
Thank you I said; I'm sorry.
don't want 10 intrude on her in her
hour of affection. I'll come again"
"All right" she laughed tauhtingly ;
come again"
had failed
I slept at bunkhouse that night,
and next morning I again made call
al the tent within which lay Berna.
Again Madam. in gaudy wrapper, an
swered my call, but this time. TO my
surprise. she was quite pleasant
"No," she said firmly, you can't see
the girl. She's all Frustrated We've
given her a sleeping powder and she's
asleep now. But she's mighty sick.
We've sent for doctor"
There wa. indeed nothing TO De
done. With a heavy heart ! thanked
her, expressed my regrets and went
away. What had got into me. ! won
dered. that ! was so distressed about
the girl thought of her continually,
with tenderness and longing. To me
there was in her, beauty. charm. every
ideal quality. Yet must my eyes have
been anointed. for others passed her
by without a second glance. Oh,
was young and foolish. maybe; but
had never before known q girl that
appealed to me. and ii was very. very
sweet.
So | went back TO the restaurant
and gave the fat cockney a note which
he promised TO deliver into her own
hands. | wrote:
Dear Berna: [ cannot tell You how
deeply grieved ! am over your grand
fathers death. and how I sympathize
with you in your sorrow. came over
from the other trail to see yon. bur
you were too i'll. Now ! must go back
at once. If | could only have said a
word 70 comfort you'll
"Oh. Berna. dear. 90 back. 90 back.
This is no country for sou. If | can
help you. Berna. LET me know. If you
come on TO Bennett. then l will see
you
believe me again. dear. my heart
aches for you.
BE brave.
Always affectionateIy yours.
"ATH0L MELDRUM.-
Then once more struck out fof
Bennett
Our last load was safely landed and