The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-08-11


the next step would be he hadn't even
a guess. He needed time to think that
out. but of two things he was certain:
Gorbel was not going to drive Ellen's
company to the wall and Ellen was
not to go on thinking for much longer
that his father was behind the trouble
which had been made for her. With
those ends accomplished, this other,
this cold weight about his heart. would
be ready for consideration.
But he could not stay here In Shoe
string. 1t would avail him nothing: 1t
would only bring him continued dis
treSS.
He paced the room, bordering, and
came to a halt beside the spotted little
dresser. Last weeks Shoestring Ban
ner lay there and he stared at the
Smudgy lines. unSeeing. Unsee-
ing until his idly rowing eyes fell on
the heavily typed words:
BELKNAP & GoRBEL
He leaned lower and read what was
above them:
MEN WANTED!
For Mills and Camps
Modern Buildings; Good Wages
BELKNAP & GORBEL.
KAMPFEST.
He remained bent over long mo-
ment and then Strengthened, tongue
In his cheek.
Why not? he asked himself. He
was a man out of a job, good man.
Paul Gorbel was advertising for
He began to pack hastily, move
ments bit feverish.
He caught Bradshaw just as the
sheriff was leaving the Jail
Something new?" the sheriff asked
as he turned back and read the ex-
element in the boys eyes.
"a lot. About something you'd
never guessed"
He plunged into his story with the
prOnouncement that he had been living
and working and fighting under an
other name. The others jaw dropped,
and for an interval his gray eyes were
hard with suspicion, but as John
talked on, earnestly, leaving out moth
ing except his personal relationship
with Ellen, that look altered and mel
lowed, and the big officer began to nod
slowly.
When the boy had finished, Nat
drew long breath and let it out in
q soft whistle.
"A picker" he said, wrinkling his
brow. "a pickle! It's a tough break
for you, son. but I'm going to string
along. HUH" He narrowed
his eyes and considered. Its prob'ly
so, what you think about your father.
This Gorbel, now, has got by up here
about a hundred per cent. His men
like him; he's got reputation for the
fairest kind of dealing. But, lOokin'
back, | can see some smart work"
He lighted cigar and crossed his
legs.
Your pa, now, s good figure to
pick on and give bad name. Most
rich men are supposed to be without
any scruple Working men'll believe
that before they will any good of 'em.
Course. he's never operated in here
before, but I've always heard him
spoken of we'll by the few old-timers
I've known who worked for him. By
jocks. come to think back, they all
like himl 1t sort of looks, John, like
our case has a lot Of angles ]"
By livery team and through the
night, John drove to Kampfest, all his
worldly possessions in pack-sack,
new and resolute purpose overriding
the undertone of sorrow and misgiv-
ing in his heart.
John was the first to enter Paul
Gorbels office after he had seated him.
self at his desk for another days
work.
The man looked up, and If he expe-
rienced any reaction other than sur
prise he covered it well.
"Of all things !" he exclaimed. "John
Belknapl Where'd you come from1"
rising, and extending his hand.
Don't get up" John ignored the
proffered clasp.
"Well. you're about the last person
/ expected to see walk in here this
morning."
John looked at him with close scru-
tiny as he said: "Yes. That's easy
to understand" He thought the mans
face changed trifie and that flicker
of dismay showed in those dark. in
telligent eyes. Il didn't figure that
you'd expect me-"
up from Chicago"
And now a decided, but still subtle,
alteration was in the eyes; Gorbel
seemed to be steeling himself. rallying
all his quick wits to an emergency.
mo. haven't been in Chicago for
over six weeks. I've been at Shoe
string, running the Richards job"
"Shoestring? Richards?" His coun-
terfeit of amazement was splendid.
"Why. yes. Didn't you know. Cor
belT' Pause. while John scrutinized
the other in open hostility. Il sup
posed, of course. you knew that I'd
been there, using the name of John
Steele and trying to pull the opera
ton out of the hole it's in"
And now faint, faint trace of color
started TO climb the mans cheeks as
he resumed his chair and gestured
towards another. But John did not sit
down. He stood there. staring hard at
his fathers partner.
Someone in Kampfest tipped Miss
Richards off to the fact that hadn't
dared use my fathers name when /
struck her for a job. was let out
yesterday, bit discredited!"