Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-08-06

IN TWO PARTS-PART TWO
The different speeds were no more
disconcerting than the veers and checks
the rises and falls OF a bird IN flight
I But what they actually gagged were
I the fluctuations OF Aar. SaHnp's reason
ing. His best bet. he had finally con-
cluded. was 10 take the prOspectox
straight 20 camp and give him back his
1 blankets Mrs. Stump could make the
explanations. She had always been good
that way.
Fortunately for the erratic driver
they found MIS-. Stump at home. She
was, in fact, very much at home. She
was lying under the cedar tree on q
couch fashioned of Nike Brentis mat
treSs and two Of his blankets, and was
reading q magazine and munching late
pears. Ellie, seated on the rest OF the
blankets, was playing cards with her
sister. They, too, were munching late
pears.
The whole scene was one Of inno-
cent happiness Mike Brent, who had
once spared q she-bear and her cubs
because he liked the way they played
together, blushed for the gun on his
hip as he stepped out of the car. Mr.
Stump did not see the blush He saw
the blankets all in plain view, and he
saw Mike Brent reach for his gun.
covered his eyes and covered down by
the wheel He held his breath and
waited. But nothing happened, he
breathed again and looked up. He then
observed that the prospector was try
ing to conceal his gun from these gen.
tie females, not TO draw it.
Tim intrudin', ma'am," stammered
Mike Brent. "But I come for my blan-
kets"
Mrs. Stump sat up and brushed back
her straying hair My lands, are them
them lyin' under this here tree, and
fingered someone had found they was
too heavy to carry, and so dumped EN-.
But you're such q big strong man
guess their weight don't mean nothin'
to YOU" She smiled coyly at him.
81 amt carryin' them. He's drivin'
me back. I'm right sorry to be takin'
them away from you, ma'ann-" Mike |
Brent remembered his stolen dust, and |
halted his apologies.
I'm turrible glad we was able to |
find EN- for you, mister" gushed Mrs.
Stump. TITS bitter cold in the noun
tains." Mike Brent made no answer.
He rolled the blankets up silently and /
threw them into the car. But before he /
climbed IN he looked around at the
camp. He had not seen it before, he
had seen only his blankets. But with
the blankets gone, all the ease and COM
fort he had come upon were also gone.
Mrs. Stump was standing now, lean
ing against the tree. The dog eared
lay on the ground. The greasy
playing cards were scattered where the
children had been. A rusty camp stove
and q couple of cartons full OF soiled
dishes and clothing made the entire
camp furnishings Mike Brent looked
at the children again, and then walked
over to the car. He pulled out the roll
Of blankets, and threw the mattress
down
Here" he said simply, you need
them worse than I do" After all, MRS.
Stump was q lady. @And you" he
,Irned to Mr.. Stump with scowl. you
come down the river with me. III show
you how to get your own dust-not
0ther folks" But fust youu work out
he dust you took from my wood pile. ,
reckon's what you're here
Tor. Well, by heaven, I'll show you I
,rospectin' Come along. Get goin''
MIR. Stump with the taciturn miner ,
,eside him, drove back to the parking
,lace In the manzanita bushes.
leave the car here" said Mike
Brent. 1.-THE rest Of the way we're on i
GOT" He walked down to his cabin.
us here where you prospects," asked I
Idr. Stump The proximity OF gold sent
title currents of excitement through \
i'm. Ten dollars day, maybe, Tor the
licking up. n
mo, we're goin' down the river. we s
IL