The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-12-14
CHAPTER IX-Continued
IL

yes, and you fellows saw only q
ghost of the money Hays got from the
Herricks," retorted Jim, divining the
moment for revelation had come
An angry roar arose. Smoky threw
up his hands and left the camp fire.
Then Jim, in brief, cold terms, exposed
the Vaccinations Of their chief. After
the first Outburst they accepted the
disclosure in astounded and Ominous
silence. Jim passed off into the dark
ness.
Some time during the night he was
awakened. AS he lay there, eyes open,
soft hand touched his cheek and
whisper brought him wide awake,
transfxed and thrilling.
Jim! +. Wake up. 1t is l."
Helen knelt beside him. Jim sat up
with a violent start.
You! . What Is It? Has that
devil" ..... ...
Hush! Not so loud. Nothing has
happened. . But I couldn't sleep
and I must talk to you-or go out of
my mind"
In the starlight her face had the
same pearl-white tint as the clouds.
"All right. Talk-but it's risky" he
whispered huskily. His hand rested
upon the blanket.
She bent lower. so that her face was
closer, and she could whisper very
softly:
First want to tell you how cruelty
1t has come home to me-my igno-
rance, my failure to believe and trust
you, even after you-so-so rudely in
suited me that day up on the noun
tain trail. If 1 had only had faith In
you thenl It's too late. But l want
you to know / have the faith now.
Only the fear and the suspense are
wearing me out" On
But you are well-all right still?
:. He has not harmed you?
Helen!" ~s e. aas h.-
mo. he has not harmed me, and am
not Ill. I'm losing flesh because 1
can't eat. But that's nothing. q. &.
Lately don't sleep because Pm hor-
ribly afraid he will come-and-smoth-
er me-or choke me-so l can't cry
out. I've slept some in the daytime
:. Jim, the thing Is cant stand
it much longer. / think frightened
him. But / can see-I can feel-Oh,
Jim, for G-d's sake, do something to
end-this horror"
She leaned or fell forward in the
weakness of the moment, her head
against him. He stroked it gently, his
reaction as far from that passionate
and hooking embrace at Star ranch as
could have been possible.
Helen, don't-give up" he replied.
You have been brave. And it has
gone-better than we could hope.
Only little while longer!"
1--WE might steal away-now."
Eyes. I've thought Of that. But
only to get lost and starve-or die Of
thirst in these brakes"
THAT almost-would be better-for
me-"
IF you can't stick 1t out wen plan
and go-say tomorrow night. We
must have food, horses. It's only
honest, though, to tell you the chances
are hundred to one against us.
We've got an even break If we wait"
How can you-think thatT"
This gang is about ready to 60 up
in smoke. Therell be terrible fight.
Hays surely will be killed. And just
as surely. more than he. That will
leave proposition 1 can handle with
out risk to YOU"
Even then-we still have TO find
a way out of this awful place"
Eyes, but I'd have time, and could
pack water and food. Helen,
trust me, it's the best plan"
If you take me back to my brother,
I'll give you the ransom"
Don't insult me-" he replied, bit
terly.
At that she drew up suddenly, and
threw her hair back from her face.
Forgive me. 80. You see, have
lost my mind. That never occurred to
me before. But I'll reward you in
some way"
ITO have saved you will be all the
reward 1 ashland more than de
serve. You have forgotten that
love you"
"Yes-I had" she whispered. Her
great eyes studied him in the star
light as if the fact had a vastly diff
ferent significance here than 1t had
had at Star ranch.
Suddenly she stiffened, no doubt al
the slight sound that had checked hel