The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-10-18
A Northland Romance
by
Robert w. Service
Illustrations by Ir,Vin Myers
wNU Service
CHAPTER XIII-Continued


the slope as straight as an arrow from
the bow. 1t was some other scheme
of the tyrant Man. Nevertheless. they
jostled and damned to get into 1t.
The man stood by his water-gun
and from its nozzle the cleaning ter
ror leapt. 1t flew like an arrow from
the bow, and wherever he aimed II
the hillside seemed to reel and shud-
der at the shock. Great cataracts OF
gravel shot out, avalanches of clay
toppled over; vast boulders were
hurled into the air like heaps OF
f1eecy wool.
The roar deafened the man. He
heard the crash of falling rock. but
he was so intent on his work he did
not hear another man approach. Sud
denly he looked up and saw.
He gave mighty start, then at
once he was calm again. This was
the meeting he had dreaded, longed
for, fought against, desired. Almost
savagely, and with curious blaze
in his eyes be redirected the little
giant.
He waved his hand to the other
man.
go awayw he shouted.
Mosher refused to bulge His pig
eyes glittered. and he took off his
hat to wipe some beads of sweat
from the monumental badness of his
forehead. His rich. penetrating voice
pierced through the roar of the
giant"
Here, turn Off your water. want
to speak to you. Got business
proposition to make"
Jim was dumb.
Say, your wife's in town. Been
there for the last year. Didn't you
know it?"
Jim shook his head. He was par
ticularly interested in his work just
then.
"Yes. she's In town-living respect.
able"
Jim redirected his giant with a
savage swish.
"Say, I'm sort of a philant'ropic
guy" went on Mosher, "an' there's
nothing l like better than doing the
erring wife restriction act. | think
! could induce that little woman of
yours to come back to you"
He was sneering now, frankly vii
famous. Jim gave no sign.
What dye say? This is likely
bit of ground-give me half share
in this ground. an I'll guarantee to
deliver that little piece of goods to
you. There's an offer"
Again that SNUG look of generosity
beamed on the mans face. Once more
Jim motioned him to go, but Mosher
did not heed. He thought the gesture
was refusal. His face grew threat
ening. "All right, If you won't" he
snarled, "look out l know you love
her still. Let me tell you; own
that woman, body and soul, and I'll
make life hell for her. I'll torture you
through her. Yes, I've got a cinch.
You'd better change your mind"
He had stepped back as If to 60.
Then, whether it was an accident or
not no one will ever know-but the
little giant swung round till it bore
on him.
1t lifted him up in the air. It shot
him forward like a stone from a cata.
putt. 1t landed him ON the bank fifty
feet away with a sickening crash.
Then, as he lay, it pounded and bat
tered him out Of all semblance of q
man.
The waters were having their re-
venge.
'Berna, we must get married"
Eyes, dearest, whenever you wish"
swell, tomorrow"
She smiled radiantly; then her face
grew very serious. ...
what will l wear?" she asked
plaintively.
Wear? Oh, anything. That white
dress you've got OIL never saw
you looking so sweet. You mind me
Of q picture I know of Saint Cecilia,
the same delicacy Of feature, the same
pure coloring, the same grace of ex-
preston"
Foolish one" she chided; but her
voice was deliciously tender, and her
eyes were love-lit .......
She came over to me, and knel.
by my chair, putting her arms around
me prettily. The pure, sweet face
looked up into mine.
I'VE have been happy here. haven't
we, bOy?" she asked.
"Exquisitely happy. Yet l have al
ways been afraid"
"Of what, dearest"
81 don't know. Somehow 1t seems
too good to last"
"Well, tomorrow Wen be married.
Yes, we should have done that a
year ago. It's all been a mistake II
didn't matter at first; nobody no
ticed, nobody cared. But now it's diff
ferent. | can see it by the way the
wives of the men look at u.s. Well,
we don't care anyway. Wen marry
and live our lives. But there are other
reasons"
"Yesr
Eyes. Garry talks of coming out.
You wouldn't like him to find us liv-
ing like this-without benefit of
clergy%
"Not for the worldv she cried, In
alarm. what will he think of me.
/ wonder. poor, ignorant me? l be-
lieve I'm afraid of him. | wish he'd
stay away and leave Us alone. Yet for
your sake, dear, do wish him to
think well of me-"
Don't fear, Berna. He'll be proud
of you. But there's second reason"
"What?"
'Oh, my beloved perhaps well not