The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-05-06

she waved the money again. Then
turning, as the stranger came to
them from the doorway. Here's
the man."
The sentence was cut short. Ham
mond had said:
you look like someone l met in
Seattle.
And you look like-why. you're
Hammond. aren't you? My name
Bruce Kenning"
Yes. | remember" For an in
slant Hammond travelled far away,
back to the dock in Seattle. with the
sun throwing its morning CLEAN on
smooth waters. with Kay IN his
arms
You didn't happen to bring me a
letter-or anything?"
Kenning laughed. He was a sure
appearing man, muscular, at home
in breeks and boots. just as he had
been at home in dinner clothes.
mo letter-but a lot of mes
sages."
do you know each .other7"
Jeanne Towers asked.
Were old friends of the same
family" Kenning explained. Good
to see you after this long trip-we Il
have to spend some time together. "
"Just in, eh?"
eyes. with today's bunch. tried
! t- ErJ,y tha 1ail Cnrl1nft
So here | am"
Hammond glanced again at the
money, clutched in Jeanne's white
hands.
"Ill say this for you. You work
fast"
Don't T." His smile was dis
arming. Queer how it turned out.
| went into Miss Towers store for
some tobacco Got to talking about
the district, of course. I asked what
you we're doing.
Hammond laughed.
Always check up on the fellow
who's made the striker
"Certainly-first job of good ge-
ologist."
"You know your mining. eh7"
Jack jerked his head. MY cabins
| right here. Walk over?"
"Glad to-" Kenning answered.
Fine. I've a drop or two oil
Scotch left" Impulsively he laid a
hand on the shoulder of Jeanne
Towers, as she took the moose meat
he had brought her. You'd better
sharpen up your pencil and see
what you're going to buy for your
| store when breakup comes.
"But I wanted to pay YOU"
"That can watt He patted her
| shoulder again. Still somewhat
dazed by sudden wealth Jeanne
Towers returned to her cabin. Ham
mond caught eagerly at his com
| panion's arm,
Listen" he said. II can't wait
Tell me all about Kay. Is she well2
Is she coming up here7 Did she
really mean it-you know--treatine
me like she cared something about
me7"
/, Weeks later, he still was asking
the same questions. He and Ken
ming stood on a side hill. where
forget-me-nots blooned at the edge
of retreating drifts, and the blue Of
lupin contrasted with the first buds
| of mountain rhododendron.
/ Spring had come as If book had
been opened and chapter turned
The streams, only ten days be
fore CONSTRUCTED by mounds of ice
now roared to the outpouring oil
| thousand mountain sides. Every
! gully contributed its rivulets, every
| rock slide sprayed plumelike wa
terfall. Below in the village, the
sound of hammers echoed endless
ly. With waters at flood stage, halt
ing much of the gold-seeking. the
thoughts of a new civilization hac
turned to building. That is why
Hammond and Kenning had come
I'D here on the hill. Back of them
stood new cabin--the one Ham
mond had promised Kay Joyce he
would build for her.
Great view from up here" Ken.
ming said at last.
They could look down on the big
lake; a moose feeding in far
away, shallow bay, few miners
fishing in the clear water just off
| the inlet.
"You can't kick on the one you
get from your place. Hammond
answered. Kenning had built his
cabin on the next hill.
They went there for drink, the
last Of Kenning's supply. Then. with
another prideful survey of Rays
house, Hammond dropped down the
hill. AT last, he walked through
the lush grass along the bubblinl
course of Loon creek and toward
/ Jeanne's tiny store. She was alone
| there.
He paused at he door to watch
her, sitting on rough bench. Their
she noticed Hammond's presence
and with quick smile disentanglec
herself.
"Hello'' she said. II was a vel
come, a greeting and an obeisancs
all in one.
! Hello" he answered casually