The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-10-25
THE TRAIL OF '98
CHAPTER XIV-Continued


house, but in a little while he came
quite willingly. His sunny charm re-
turned, and with II his brilliant smile.
his warm, endearing frankness-
must say | tried very hard to
reconcile Berna and Garry. threw
them together on every opportunity,
for | wanted him to understand ana
to love her. felt he had but TO
know her to appreciate her at her
true value, and, although he spoke
no word TO ME, ! was soon conscious
of vast change in him. Short OF
brotherIy regard. he was everything
that could be desired to her-cordiai.
friendly. charming. Once asked
Berna what she thought OF him.
II think he's splendid" she said
quietly. Hes the handsomest man
I've ever seen, and he's as nice as
he's good looking. In many ways you
remind me of him-and yet there's
a difference"
81 remind you Of him-no, girl
He's as much above me as am above
say siwash He has all the vir-
tues; [, all the faults. He is the self
should have been if the worst had
been the best"
"Hushl you are my sweetheart"
she assured me with d caress, land
the dearest in the world"
"By the way, Berna," said. "yOu
remember something we talked about
before he came? Don't you think
that now"
"Now-w
"YeS."
"All right" She flashed glad,
tender look at me and left the room.
That night she was strangely elated
was head over ears in work In
a mail just arrived ] had letter
from the PrOdigal. and certain para
graph in it set me bordering. Here
1t was:
"YOu must look out for LocaSto.
He was in New York a week ago
He's down and out BlOOd-pOisOnina
set in in his foot after he got Out
side, and eventually he had to have
it taken off. He's got false nit for
the one Mac sawed off. But you
should see him. Hes all shot to
pieces with the 'hooch.' It's fright
the pace he's gone. Seemed TO have
a terrible pick at you. Seems you
have copied out his best girl. the
only one he ever cared a red cent
for. Said he would get even with
you if he swung for 1t. | think he's
dangerous, even a mailman. He Is
leaving for the North now. so be on
your guard" ~
LocastO cOmingi | had almost for
gotten his existence. Well, no long
er cared for him. could afford to
despise him. Surely he would never
dare TO modest u.s. If he did-he was
a broken, discredited BLACKBOARD.
could crush him.
Coming herel He must even now
be Oh the way. He was coming back
to the scene of his ruined fortunes.
and God knows with what wild
schemes of vengeance his heart was
full. Decidedly ! must beware.
As SAT there dreaming. ring came
to the phone 1t was the foreman at
Gold hill ....
'The hoisting machine has broken
down." he told me- ''Can you come
out and see what is required?'
Gall right" l replied. "Tll leave
at once"
"Berna," | said, "I'Il have TO &C
out to the Forks tonight. I'll be back
early tomorrow. Get me a bite to
eat, dear, while | go round and or
der the horse"
On my way met Garry and told
him would be gone over night.
Wont you Gomez" asked.
mo, thanks, old man. don't feel
like a night drive"
"All right Good-by."
So | hurried off, and soon after
with a jingle of bells, | drove up 70
my door. Berna had made supper
She seemed excited. Her eyes were
starry bright her cheeks burned.
aren't lou well, sweetheart"
asked. You look feverish."
Yes. dear, I'm we'll. But I donr
want you to go tonight. Something
tells me you shouldn't Please don't
go, dear. Please, for my sake. rm
afraid, I'm afraid Won't some one
else dU?"
Nonsense. girl. You mustn't be So
foolish. It's only for few hours
She chung TO me tightly. so that
wondered what had got into the girl
Then gently | kissed her, disengaged
her hands, and babe her goodnight.
As | was rafting off through the
darkness. boy handed me a note
put it in my pocket. thinking
would read it when reached Ogilvie
bridge. Then l whipped up the
horse.
AS | sped along, with a Jingle OF
bells, my spirits rose. Things were
looking splendid. The mine was
turning out far better than we had
expected. Surely we could sell out
soon, and would have all the money
wanted. My life-struggle was near
ly over.
Then again, had reconciled Carr,
to Berna. When ! told him of Ger
tain secret was hugging TO m,
breast he would capitulate entirely
How happy we would all bel would
buy a small estate near home. and
we would settle down. But first we
would spend few years In travel
We would see the whole world. What
good times we would have. Berna
and IL Bless herl II had all worked
out beautifully.
Why was she so frightened. so loatb
to LEI me goi wondered vaguely
and f1icked up the horse so that 10
plunged sharply forward.
R0thprt In nv oIation \ hod for