The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-08-05

anu OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES udIueu III Ills COuu-
tenance.
Mccain rescued him by commenting
on the number of characters In the
book. ST never did see so many foot
loose folks trailin' around. There's
David an Peggoty an Miss Betsy an
the Murdstones an Barkis-"
Looks like he'd have trouble with
all them folks millin' around in his
haid whilst he was writin'," the old
timer mused aloud. But this Dickens
guy sure knows how to throw a rope
so as to cut out any of 'em from the
herd when he's good an ready"
Ann Clifford did not stay. Her man.
ner implied that she wanted to have
nothing TO do with any of them except
VERIFY.
The hester spoke first. "Pd like
right well TO do something for her an
her iii sister if l knew what" he said,
wrinkling his forehead in thought.
90 course sheep are pests. | amt
denyin' that none. But seems like
these girls amt hardly to blame be-
cause old Andy Clifford was so mean
and obstinate he plumb wasn't con-
tented till he'd started trouble"
Exactly how 1 feel" Mccain
agreed.
Julia had opened her lips to say SUBJ
stantially the same thing, but she
closed them again without speaking.
She did not intend to be of the same
opinion as Wilson Mccain on any
subject
Nevertheless she had a word to say
10 him, and before she left she said ii.
He had stepped out to bring a bucket
of water from the spring. She met
him under live oak few yards from
the house.
You know my father is looking for
your she said abruptly.
"Some one did mention that to me-"
he said.
why don't you go away? Why don't
| you leave the country?" she demanded
Because Matt Stark has served no.
tice Oh me of his intentions?" he asked
grimly. "What kind of a man would
/ be if ran away after that? Am |
the one lookin' for trouble? Did l print
bills sayin' I'd kill him on sight?" His
face was hard as hammered iron.
"You know why he did that-because
you jumped on Jasper when he wasn't
looking and beat him when he couldn't
defend himself"
He laughed, scornfully. That's the
story he's telling, is it,"
"And now Fathers crazy mad. If
you don't go away"
"Pm not going" he cut in harshly.
''Then some one will be killed." she
cried despairingly.
yes"
His brown competent fingers were
on the barrel of the rifle he had been
carrying in one hand. There flowed
through her a sense of his virile power.
This man was dangerous. His force
expressed itself in the cool quiet eyes,
in the clean lines of the face and fig
ure, in a certain wary stiffness that
meant reserve strength.
IF you'd only go-while there's still
time"
Her distress touched his not very
accessible heart, the more because he
knew her capable of fierce and primi-
tive passion. Independence and cour-
age were of the essence of her. But
her pride could not stand out against
the shadow of tragedy lowering in the
| background.
81 can't go. What would folks say?"
"Does it matter what they'd say If
you were doing right?" she asked.
1T would matter to me. Besides,
I'd not be doing right to go. This is
where live-the only country know.
1 can't let anyone run me out I've
| got to go through"
"Why have you?" she pleaded. "It's
| all wrong, this feud. If you'd just go
away, for a while, maybe things would
| quiet down. Then you could come
| back"
He shook his head. "No. 1 can't go.
1 don't want to have any trouble with
yore father, but If he's bent on 1t,
why it'll have to come"
With little gesture of hopelessness
she gave up. 1t was of no use. Before
making the attempt to move him she
4
ing to the frontier code he was right
None but a weakling could run away
after an enemy had served notice that
he was looking for him.
As she turned away his voice stopped
her.
"rll promise one thing. It'll be a
] fair fight far as I'm concerned-no
layin' in the bushes an waitin' for
him"
Her dark troubled eyes rested in his.
| Their appealing beauty disturbed him.
He would have liked to give peace to
her worried soul But he could offer
no assurance When the hour came
if it lay within his power, he must
strike her to the heart.
| Much stirred, be watched her lissom
young body as it moved with light
| rhythm toward the house She be-
longed TO the enemy clan, but he could
not hold her in cold disapproval. An
enemy, yesl But already he knew her
very dear one whose presence filed
the secret places of his being.
AS Jasper Stark moved about the
streets of Mesa with his slouching gait
his eyes furtiveiy questioned public
opinion TO discover what it thought Of
him. His manner of braggadocio still
sat on him, but it was hollow mock
cry. He was full of shame, resent
ment, and self-pity. Hatred surged In
him.
He sent for Gitner. That hardy
ruffian straddled into an upstairs room
| of the Gilt Edge and looked of vounp