Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-19

"Shush. child" said Steve. He kept his eyes
deep in the dying embers.
You're nice" she SAID unexpectedly, and for
a moment laid her hand upon his. And still
he sat motionless with his eyes in the Goals.
Good night, Steve Excuse my talking
much"
Good night"
BY the time Steve had delivered the O'Rileys
at the Two Pine boarding house he had made
up his mind what he was going to do. He went
first to Harry Weir, the local aSSayer, and
dumped his bags of rock rubbish on Weir's floor
You've got to do something for me, Harry"
he said. Assay this worthless rp-rap FIRST
Then you're going to buy the O'Rileys' right in
the mountain this junk came from"
With whose money!" said Harry.
Mine said Hunter. "Only my name is
going to be kept out of it."
Sounds like shenanigan," said Weir
Call it what you like. You ought to know
me we'll enough by this time to take chance"
There was a short wordy struggle. But in
the end Weir agreed to all Steve asked.
Next Steve went to Abe Cramp-a slouching,
unshaven figure always to be found at Cramps
Two Pine corral. Just Steve Hunter made a
business of supplying transportation up the
mountain trails, Abe Cramp made a nice thing
of horse trading with the trail men.
ABE" said Steve "if you still know where
you can sell the Three Bar you can have her
and 1 guarantee not to set up another pack
outfit within hundred miles in the next five
years"
How much?" said Cramp.
six thousand cash, today
Abe Cramp studied him. Il won't horse
trade you, Steve" he said at last Il could
easy beat you down, but won't. Ill offer
six if you want
Thee was a silence Then "sold," said
Hunter.
Abe Cramps jaw dropped. you mean I've
bought the Three Bar for six thousand?"
You heard me, Abe"
Cramp took off his two-gallon hat and slam
med it on the ground Then you're fool"
he shouted.
Maybe I am" said Steve.
You've built you up the best pack outfit
in the best stand this side of the backbone of
the Rockies. You've got the best stock and
the best equipment of any packer ever saw.
You get the cream of the fishermen, the cream
of the deer hunters. few years more and
you'll own this country, Steve! Don't you SELL"
I'm set on 1t, Abe"
Abe stared. you'll cuss yourself for this
Steve, some day" He led the way to the
house.
1t took all day to get that deal Strengthened
out: but there certified check for $4,000
in Steve Hunters pocket when he pulled up in
front of the Two Pine boarding house again.
IT was dusk, and in the implanted board
] houses that line Two Pines 100-foot-wide
street warm yellow lights were beginning to
show. But no light showed in Steve Hunters
future he sought out June O'Riley. When
at last she sat beside him in his parked car,
he knew that he had reached the moment he
had dreaded: that he could no longer put off
telling her the truth
Look here" he said, "Tve got to tell you
something"
"Steve what's the natter?"
1.-THE mine," he said, the mine-it isn't as
good you've been thinking"
Are the assays finished?" she asked.
He rushed over that, anxious to be finished
with what he was trying to do. You remem-
ber," he said 1--WE staked three claims the
Lost Dutchman ledge, one in your name, one