Carolina watchman., 1935-12-06

home and end all Of her troub-
les"
"what was it you said about
Jim?" the girl insisted quietly. |
Hayward told her; frankly, bru-
tally he repeated what he had pre-
viously said. Jim listened in silen-
ce.
''Is it true?" Rose turned al
strained, white face upon The
Michigan Kid.
ssMost of it is. Not that about
the killing of Thompson, of course.
He shot himself because he had
lost company money.
''Rose, will you let me take you
to town." Hayward asked, earn
estly.
Slowly the girl shook her head.
"Jim has arranged to drive me in.
Pm sorry you didn't wait while
before-I've had a good deal to
bear" When the young man scowl-
ed at Rowan and opened his lips
to protest, she smiled family. '1'll
be perfectly safe with him. The
Michigan Kid hasn't been accused
of killing women, has hep
''Very we'll. I'm sorry, too, that
it had to come at time like this.
But l thought it best. I'll see you
tomorrow, Rose. Forgive me if I've
been rough. It's only because .
The speaker stammered, choke3
then he turned and went out into
the chill twilight.
When the crunch of his foot
steps had died out Rose inquired,
simply:
"Why did you do it Jim?''
Rowan answered carelessly:
"Oh, Pm just naturally bad
sort, I guess! No great amount of
character. l. wanted money, and
gambling was the easiest way to
get it.
IT don't mean that. Why did
you come out here with father, the
way you did?"
''Wel1 now, I'm not sure that
can explain unless it was because
of that hunch l told you about, y
Jim managed splendid assump-
ton of sincerity. ''We gamblers
play lunches, you know. And
say, it just proves there's something
in them.
"A mighty queer thing happen
ed today, Rose. I didn't mean to
tell you yet, but your father was
right. There's pay on this claim!!'
said Rowan.
"Please don't let's talk about
that
i ''But, Rose, listen! While I was
digging up there on the rim the
gravel looked good. I took some
!; of it down to the creek and tested
/ lit. l can't begin to guess what
was in it, but it was rich. You're
rich woman. There's no mis-
take. 1t wasn't prospect it was
big pay, coarse gold!
) For while the girl sat silent.
then abruptly she hid her face in
her hands.
"Oh! The pity of it'll" she cried
''After he had worked so long ane
endured so much! Poor father! Se
! patient, so gentle, SO old" Tear
! stole through her fingers.
''He told us he would land ir
the pay and we wouldn't believe
him. But I know he's glad, for il
! was you he wanted it for, not him.
self, and everything has come out
just the way he would have had it
I'll bet he's happy at last
"'Michigan's luck still hold
good, doesn't it? Half the claim i.
yours, Jim.''
''Pshaw! That partnership ar.
rangement was a joke. I've got
money, lots of it. I could have
made things a good deal easier for
him and for you, but I didn't dare
! No, Rose, it's all yours and you
} have nothing to worry about any
more. You needn't pay any atten-
ton to what Hayward said, unless
! you want to. l know you like
him and-he's mighty nice boy.
He has courage and he loves you.
''But, Jim, I don't love him.
don't even like him any more"
/ ''Then that's that!" Rowan de-
clared, heartily.
II love somebody else.'' The girl
lifted hsf tear-stained face. ssI'm
| in love with boy from our old
town. I think I must have cared
for him ever since l was a little
pirl. And I've been In bis