The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-08-23
CHAPTER VII

Glad TO meet you," said the POte
eheerfully. extending a damp hand.
lust been having a dish-washing bee"
He finished his dish-washing and
joined us, pulling on an old Tuxedo
jacket.
"Whewl Glad that jobs over. And
now, having inundated myself Oh the
altar of cleanliness, will solace my
soul with little music"
He took down banjo from the wall
and. striking a few chords, began to
sing. His songs seemed to be original,
even imprOvisatiOns, and he sang them
with a certain quaintness and point
that made them very piquant
There came knock at the door,
and a young man entered. He had
broad smiling face and a bulgy fore
head. The Pote introduced him to me.
THE Yukon Yorick."
Hello" chuckled the newcomer,
''hOw's the bunch? Don't let me stam-
pede you. How dye do, HoraceI Glad
To meet you" tHe called everybody
Horace.) Just come away from 9
meeting of my creditors"
He seemed brimming over with
jOviaI acceptance of life in all its
phases.
Several men dropped in to swell
the bohemian circle. Some had
brought bottles. The little cabin was
crowded. the air hazy with smoke, the
conversation animated.
The POte had the floor.
"A friend of mine had a beautiful
pond of water lilies. They painted the
water exultantly and were a tri-
umphant challenge to the soul. Folks
came from far and near to see them.
Then. one winter, my friend thought
he would clean out his pond. so he
had all the nasty. Shiny mud scraped
away till you could see the silver
gravel glimmering on the bottom. But
the lilies, with all their haunting love
illness, never came back"
What are you driving at, you old
dreamer?'
"Oh, just this: in the nasty mud
and slime of Dawson l saw a lily girl.
She lives in a cabin by the Slide along
with a Jewish couple. | only caught
a glimpse of her twice. They are un-
speakable, but she is fair and sweet
and pure. would stake my life on
her goodness. She looks like a young
Madonna"
He was interrupted by a shout OF
cynical laughter and shut up abashed.
but had my clew. l waited until the
last noisy roisterer had gone.
''In the cabin by the Slider" I asked.
He started. looked at me searching.
iy: You know herr"
"She means a good deal to me-"
'Oh, | understand. Yes. that long.
queer cabin highest up the hill"
Thanks. old chap"
"AlI right. good luck"
Very softly | approached the cabin,
for a fear of encountering her guar
dians was in my heart Carefully |
reconnoitered. and soon. to my infinite
joy, saw the Jewish couple come
forth and make their way downward.
The girl was alone
How madly beat my hearth II wal
glooming kind of night, and the
cabin looked woefuIly bleak and sol
itary. No light came through the win
dows. no sound through the moss
chinked walls. drew near
| knocked al the door. No answer.
"Berna,' cried in a faltering
whisper
Came the reply: who is there"
Love. love. dear; love is waiting"
Then, at my words. the door was
opened. and the girl was before me
She stood gazing at me, and a little
fluttering hand went up to her heart
as if to still It's beating.
''Oh. my dear, | knew you were
coming. Something told me you weuld
come at last. And I've waited-huw
I've waited! I've dreamed, but it's
not dream now, is it. dear; it's your"
Yes. it's me. I've tried so hard to
find you Oh, my dear. my dear"
| seized the sweet, soft hand and
covered ii with kisses loved ner so.
loved her sol
High and low I've sought you. be-
loved Thank God, I've found you.
dearl Thank GOdi Thank Godi
-'Oh. it's you. really. really you a,
last" she cried again. and there was
q trenor. the surface ripple of a sob
in that clear voice She fetched a
deep sigh: And I thought I'd ios
you forever. Wait a moment III come
out"
Endlessiy long the moment seemed
YET wondrously irradiate. Then. at
last. she came. She had thrown q
shawl around her shoulders. ano
coaxed her hair into charming waves
and ripples.
Tome. lef Us go up the trail
little distance. They won't be bach
for nearly an hour"
When We had seated ourselves OF
the hillside. she turned TO me.
ITO BE CnNTINTrEna