The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-01-22
Chapter 21
THE MOUNTAINS SECRET

Sheb's lifelong quest was ended. The gold for which he had secured the mountain peaks and the valleys through many long years of hard ship had been found. The secret of the mountains to which the eccen- tric old prospector had sought the key with a great faith in its exis- tence was revealed.
 He and Glenn were rich, fabu- lously rich and by the merest acci- dent. The blasting for the water way had torn loose a boulder, re- vealing a vein of pure gold which extended, cursory examination in dicated, straight through the noun tain.
 Glenn had just pronounced his final decision as to the grade of the ore when his work had been inter rupted by Anne's wandering into their midst. It was gold, Anne, and the irrigation project that occupied his thoughts as he approached the cabin after working late at the of- flee to salve his conscience for the hours spent with Anne.
 Sixteen hours more toll and the tunnel through the mountain that was essential to the success of his irrigation project would be com pleted. Since Morse's visit there had followed two weeks of calm with no apparent move on the part of his enemy to carry out his threats.
 Nevertheless Glenn was distrust- ful. He had seen Breton and his assistants measuring off a tenta- tive site for a bridge, but could not conceive either Morse or Burk- halter giving up so easily. He doubled the guard at the workings
 Undoubtedly there were millions in gold for he and Sheb and this gave Glenn no particular pleasure except insofar as 1t would enablt him to repay Mrs. Wilmot for the money she had invested in Anne The idea was pleasing. He was of an intensely independent nature and he disliked the thought of talk ing anything-even the woman he loved-at the cost of another.
 She would be all his then; no one else would have any claim on her. That was simple enough Whether a woman reared in the eil- vironment of luxurious ease as Anne Wilinot had been could ever be con tent with his rugged, harsh, un. settled life was quite another mat ter. He was not sure, but wa hopeful.
 One thing was sure. He coulS not change his mode of life ma terially. The leopard might n well try to change his spots. HI was part of the west just hk' the mountains and the streams h loved so well. If Anne loved him she must live in his west.
 Entering the cabin, he struck light and sat down at table t write two letters.
 The first, the necessary appllca tion for filing on the claim; th' second, brief statement of tn rich promise of his find and re quest to business associates in Sal Francisco for a partial advance o the funds necessary to develop T
 Just as he finished the last let ter. Sheb came in, followed by Ja pheth, the faithful. Glenn pu down his pen and looked up "Wel here's the application for filing he said, handing Sheb the first let ter. q suppose you'll be off to tn claim office the first thing in tn rnorning?"
 The old man nodded, as | crammed the letter into his pocke and gave Glenn a shrewd gianS out of his guileless blue eyes. Ain taking no chances-Im goin' sleep at the diggins tonightl'
 Glenn got up and dropped a har on either of the gaunt shoulders.
 Congratulations, old partner" said; you've certainly earned tn and I'm mighty glad it's come Wni you're still young and husky enoua to enjoy itp'
 sheb stood twisting his tatter' old hat between his fingers. h eyes were fixed on the floor. H shoulders sagged little farther Il ward than usual "Now, I've foui it." Sheb said, shaking his he in profound gloom. they all nothing left to live fer
 The younger man threw back I head and shouted with laughter, D the prospector went on morosel srrhey ain't nuthin' Japheth an I want we ain't got--" His. Ia heightened ever so faintly. We " les. huntin' the gold fer you an howl"
 rslenn shook his head unequiy cally. aFifty-fifty, as we've aiwa aereed." he said. "cheer up. you find it's not half bad once you ,ssed to the idea
 cx. .k a.d lambeth had 20