The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-10-25
Of NorthIand Romance
Robert W. Service
Illustrations BY Irwin Myers
wNU Service

let you know there's stage due some
time before morning. Locasto's on
board, and they say he's heeled for
you. Thought I'd better tell you SOS
you can get fixed up for him."
"All right" answered. THANK
you. I'll turn and come right hack"
So switched round the horse. and
once more drove over the glisten
ing road grim fear was gripping
me. or sudden the shadow of Lo-
casio doomed up sinister and menac
ing. Even now he was speeding Daw-
sonward With a great hatred of me
in his heart. Well, would get back
and prepare for him.
There came TO my mind comic
turning to ones own home unexpect.
eddy. in the dead of night At first
| decided ] would go to hotel, then
on second thoughts determined 70
try the house, for had desire to
be near Berna.
l knocked gently, then little loud
er. then at last quite loudly. Within
all was still. dark as sepulcher.
Curious she was such light sleep
er. too. Why did she not hear met
Once more | decided to go to the
hotel: once more that vague, indet
mite fear assailed me and again
knocked. And now my fear was be-
coming a panic. had my latch-key
In my pocket, so very quietly opened
the door.
"Berna." l whispered. ...
No reply.
That dim, nameless dread was
cIutching at my heart, and ] cropped
overhead In the darkness for the
drOp-light.
Instantly the cabin was flooded
with light. In the dining room
could see the remains of our supper
lying untidily. That was not like
her. She had horror of dirty
dishes. / passed into the BEDROOM
All! the bed had never been slept on
What fool ! wasl 1t flashed on
to Sleep She was afraid Of being
alone. Poor little girl How sur
prised she would be to see ME 10 the
morning.! s.
Well, ] would 20 to he'd. AS was
pulling of my coat. l found the note
that had been given to me. Blaming
myself for my carelessness. | pulled
II OUT of my pocket and opened It
AS ! unfOlded the sheet, ! noticed II
was written In what looked like
disguised hand. Strangei thought
The writing was small and faint
rubbed my eyes and held it up to the
light.
Merciful God! What was this? Oh
no, IL could not bel My eyes we're
deceiving me. It was some illusion.
Feverishly read again Yes, they
were the same words. What could
they meanf Surely, surely--Oh. nor.
rOr OF horrors They could not mean
that Again | read them. Yes, there
they were:
If you are fool enough to believe
that Berna is faithful to you visit
your brothers room tonight
-.. "A Wellwisher."
Bernai Garry 1.-THE two | loved
Oh, IL could not bel Ii was mon
strous. Ii was too hOrriblel | would
not believe it; would not Curse
the vile wretch that wrote such
words. | would kill him. Berna N,
Berna she was as good as gold, as
true as steel. Garryl would lay
my life on his honor. Dazedly | sat
down. The paper lay on the hearth,
rug, and ] stared at II hatefuIly, 1t
was unspeakably lOathsOme. yet ! was
fascinated by IL. ! longed to take II
up. to read ii again. Somehow did
moi dare. was becoming a coward
Well, Ii Was lie, black devils
lie. She was with one OF the neigh
bOrS.- | trusted her. | would trust
her with my life. | would go to bed
In the morning she would return. ana
then would uneartb the wretch who
had dared TO write such things. | be-
gan TO undress.
YEARLY took off my clothes }
lay in bed with the darkness enfOd,
ing ME. and | closed my eyes to make
double darkness Hal right In the
center of my eyes, burned the fatal
paper with its atrocious suggestion.
l sprang up. Ii was of no USE
must settle this thing once and for
all. turned Oh the light and DELHI
erately dressed again.
was going 70 the hoteEwhere Gar
~ had his room. would tell him
had come back unexpectedly and
ask TO share his room was not
acting on the note! did not sus,
pect her. Heaven forbidl But the
thing had unnerved me. could not
stay in this place.
The hotel was quiet. A sleepy
night clerk stared at me, and pushed
past him. Garry's rooms were on
the third floor. Through the tran.
som could see his light was burn
ing.
knocked family.
There was sudden stir.
Again knocked.
Did my ears deceive me or did !
hear wonian's startled cry? There
WAS something familiar about it-Oh.
my Godl
| reeled. almost fell clutched
at the door-frame. | leaned sickly
against the door for support Heaven
help me!
I'm coming" | heard him say.
The door was unlocked, and there
he stood. He was fully dressed. He
looked at me with an expression on
his face | could not define, but he
was very calm.
Come in." he said.
went into his sitting room. Ev-