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hang the bank. Two hours later they paused A nu- _I. creek rioted down across a gravewu bar and into the silent, sWeeping riv- er, standing at the entrance to a wood- ed. grass grown valley. with rolling hills and domes displayed at its head. while back of them lay the town. six miles away, its low, squat buildings tiny and toylike, but distinctly 311‘ houetted against the evening sky; “[3 it not time to rest?” said the sol- dier langhingly, yet with a look. of yearning in his misty eyes as he took the girlish figure in his arms. But she only smiled up at him and. releasing his hold, led the Way into the forest. I IV ucvv, u..-â€" v" 1113 pack su-a “the ékeeiérs isbad!” “You bet your gum boots.” said Po- Jeon. “Dey’re mos’ so t’ick as de sum‘ Poléon Doret sang gouty as came toward him met day kill Johmiie Platt I cupine." Both men wore gloves of caribou skin and ,Lu__ t } Y'at y on “I saw Holy Cm “ ‘Heno :An’ den . 100k far ._vtmv - 5“.“ w.- 'over globefike frames of thin steel bands. which they slipped on over their ilrats.‘ , i “Let’s see. It was you that found ' "“réaw a fellow killed that way at 1 :Holy Cross.” interpolated the trader. 5 “ ‘Hello!’ I say. ‘W’at’s de matter? kw den 1‘ see somet’ing ’bont ’im dat :lool: familial-J Hm face she’s an swell' up an’ bleedin’ Ink raw meat.” The Frenchman curled his upper 11]) back from his teeth and shook hi! head atithe remembrance. “Jcsu, dat’s ’orrible eight! Reg}! “Let’s see. It was you him, wasn't it?” said Gale. "Sure t'ing! I’m comm grub in my canoe w’en I 8 cn de bank walkin’ lak l: OX'I')’. D11 54:, _a “a, _-_-n goin’ so fast he’ll meet hm’f comin’ home!‘ Den he turn ronn’ an’ go tear- in' back. wavin’ bees arms In]: he’s ‘caliin’ me, till he fall down. W’en I paddle close up I don’ know ’11:! no more dan strangefi' gn’ me an’ Johnnie ‘I’latt is trap ,wder wan winter. :W'at you t’ink 015132112?” --- - .. A; ____ -1. ' ” said Gale. I a... vvâ€"â€"â€"" .. Both men wore ganntleted of caribou skin and head har- of mosquito netting stretched .- - L--. comin’ down for a. graveled on de Por- ivonnd where of at is driver’u’n crazee. Hees none an' ear: g is look lak holes in bees red sponge, an’ bees eye are close up 63 ” “He died before you got him in. ‘ didn’t be?" “Yes. He was good man too.” “I ess‘ you been part: glad for havin Necia home again, eh?” ven- tured Poleon after awhile. unable to 7 7A _‘_A-. most in his mind. 1 “Yes. I’m glad she's thxzough with her schooling.” "She’s gettln’ putty bees gal now." “That’s right." V ' “By an' by she’s goln’ marry on some- fellere-w’at?" ' “I suppose 80. She ain stay single." “Ha! Dat’s right too. Mebbe you don’ care if she does get marry, eh?” At â€"L _8“ 't the kind go “Waal, waal! Dere's no~ trauma ’bout dat.” exclaimed Doret fervently. “No man w’at’s llvin' could treat her bad. She's too good an' too putty for have bad husban’,” “She is. is she?" Gale turned on him. with a strange glare in his eyes. “Them's the kind that get the he dev- ils. There's something about a~ good girl that attracts a bad man. particu- larly if she’s prom. and it goes dou- ble too. The good men get the helllons. 'A fellow can't get so tough but what he can catch a good woman. and a de- A .2“-.. 6‘... ‘taggm’, along.” H Runnlon volunteered nothing except oaths at the mosquitoes and at his pack -, amps, which wete new and cut him Lalrendy. As no explanation of his pmence was altered, neither the tran- 1 er nor Doret made any comment then. L ‘ - 551‘ Ala “Not if she I treat her right," hut it came out later. when the ow i ! miner dropped far enough behind the ‘ others to render conversation possible. 1 “You decided to take in another one. . eh?" Gale asked Lee. c _-_9_ n u 2 Neither muu had ever spoxen luua openly to the other about Neda be- fore. and. although their language was mun-err, eacr new» mt omen thought. But there was no time for further talk now. for the others were ‘- u A"..- he“ he} Gale exclaimed: ‘ “Well, 11 Lee has: nlon along!" It’mk much of (131: teller. " i The three new arrivals dropped down upon the moss to rest. for the up trail was heavy. Lee was the first see, it’s the first chance 1 ever nan w ' pay him back for a favor he done me .-.. -__....,.__ ,... in the Cassiar country. There's plenty of land to go around." It was Lee’s affair, thought the trad-- er, and he might tell whom he liked. so he said no more. but fell to study- ing the back of the man next in front, wno happened to be Stark, observing cvery move and trick of him and dur- ing the frequent pauses making a point of Iistening and watching 'him guard- 3 WC, “nunâ€"vâ€" â€" been hemm hours. ; “That‘s good. 111° f‘Necia wouldn’t marry ¢ am." said Doret positive]?- I , "K‘R‘ _ “It wasn’t encuy my now a, .- plied the minem “Stark asked me to let Rnnnion come ’long. bein’ as he had grub staked him, and he seemed so set on it that I ackeressed. You see, it’s the first chance I ever had to nav him bath for a favor he done me WIJ. All’throngh the afternoon the five i men ‘wonnd up the valley, following i one another’s footsteps. emerging from i somber thickets of fit to flounder ! across wide plum of “nigger heads" i that wabbled and wriggled and bowed ; beneath their feet until. at cost of much eflort and profanity. they gained ‘ the timer footing of the forest. At one point Stark, hot and irritable. re- marked: ' “There must be a shorter out than this, Lee?" ‘ t‘I reckon there is.” the miner re- plied, “bnt I’ve always had a pack to earn. so I chm level ground rather _--', than climb the divides.” “S’pose dose people at ca_mp 'bout dis strike an‘ beat us in?" sug- gestéd Poleon. “It wouldn’t be easy going for them after they got there," Stark said sour- ly. “1' for one wouldn’t stand for it." “Nor I, ” agreed Runnion. “I don't see how you’d help your- self." the trader remarked. “One man’s gotas good a right as another." ¢I '_1_I.L " muua avvâ€"~ a--- _ ,, «I guess I’d help mEseIr, all 'right” Stark .laughed significantly. as did Runnlon. who added: - thére‘s hable to be troubie.” _ “I reckon it I don't kpow no short LIuIIu-v_. .. _- “_._-- V “Lee is entitled to put In anybody he wants on his‘own discovery, and it L .V‘vâ€"v- â€"_ â€" _-_ _ cut nobody else does.” Lee rematked. ,” answered Gale. hair. for the others were hem. As they came into I don't want uter. 'when the old enough behlmiuthe .”L;_,.~o$‘.ln'.. iv m. my doln’fip” without no trouble on no “Poleon has “I don' biccnnse nobody knows w’ere Lee'n creek she's locate’ but John nn’ me. an’ dere’e nobody w’at knows he nuk' de strike but us four.” “That’s right." said Gale. ‘The only other way across in by Black Ben! creek, and there ain't a half dozen men ever been up to the head '01 the! stream, much less over the divide.~ so I don't allow there}: any use to tret ourselves.” ’ ‘ - _ # A‘- -A‘.-- which the miner's cabin lay. 'Camp had been made early athle‘n sugges- tion instead of pushing on a few miles farther. as Lee had intended. and now. A-.. --.I blu- memories they have treasured to turn them over fondly by the glow of dying cuticle- “No Creek? Lee. the one eyed miner who had made this lucky strike. hold in simple words of his long and son. tary quest. when 111 luck had risen ‘-“ III-Martin". | __ , “Is that how you got your asked Runnlon. “It is. I never was no goat ! self nor nobody else. I just _ space.” _ _ w- npa Finally Gale amuse. remarking sleep- lly that It was tlme to turn in 1: they wished to get any rest before the mos qultoes got bad again. then sauntered away from the tire and spread his blanket. The rest followed and made , down their beds, then. drawing on gloves and hat nets and remainin- i selves up in then- coverlngs. tell to { snoring-4m except the trader, who f lay for hours on his back staring up at , A- -AI-A gnm .. -.â€"â€". -...â€"-..- -_..â€"â€"-_. had stalked beside him as he (mmâ€"u and drank from camp to camp. while the gloom of a settled pessimism sour- , A- -5..- film tui- a-vvâ€" ._ ed him. and men began to shun him ' because of the evil that seemed to to!- low in his steps. . “I’ve been rainbow chasin‘ forty years." he said. “and never caught ; nothin’ but cramps and epidemics and } inflammations. I'm the only miner in 9 Alaska that never made a discovery of ’ *~-Iâ€" O-A-Al‘ , muh‘l“ â€"â€"â€"- w gold and. never had a creek after him." Iii-IVA Jun â€"â€" - lay for hours on his back storing up at the stars. as it trying to solve some riddle that baffled him. They awoke early and in half an hour had eaten. remade their packs and were ready to resume their march. As they were about to start Gale‘said: “I reckon we'd better settle right now who has the choice of locations when we get up y nder. I‘ve been on atamoedes where .2. saved a heap of hard reenng." “I'm agreeable.” said Stark. "Then there won’t be any misunderstanding.” The other; being likewise old at the gnme,.acquieeced. 'They knew that in such cases grave trouble has often ocâ€" curred when two men have cast eyes on the same claim and heve'telt the miner-fa ceaseless “hunch” that gold lies here or there or that the pound one of them covets is wanted by the other. . “I’ll hold the straws,” said Lee. “and every teller will have an even break." Turninsrms back on the omen, he cut I never was no good to my- nobody else. I Just Occupm Bunnion had made their choice be. handed him the mmunlnx one. which ,_ _--. a- mum. to that of the mnqxtlnlengtntom.» trader. Stark 3nd Bunnlon qullfled In the order they drew. the latter curl- ing his evil luck. “Never mln’. ole mm.” laughed Pole- on: “do 133’ shot 1130': do lure wan.” Lâ€" J--- -m‘n and filed tom tho nun-ow alley. 1‘ that much with Neda thronzll the nnmdden alley. Ind yet In Menu were never clear cut no: distinct when he looked back upon them. but blended into one dreamlike pmceulon. u it be wandered through for it: volmmlow 1nd enabled themmtoniittronhtrtohu. They had bacon. so intimate by now u to an into a whimsical mode otspeech. andNeciareveru-dtoa childish habit in her an: that brought man: a (mile to the youth's face. it hadheenherhncyuniitflegirito have inane of it. long mauve eye; Cue unauow 0]. a. (mu. 3 sun uuw u... ....._ ‘ like/a little bird. unvoiced longing. He told her or his g father. the crotchety old Bonner whose ! “Oh. my! What 1 fierce you are an absurd sense of duty and whose cub- u once!" onus southern courtesy had become a. ' Her smile cubed up u 1: fllnmined uv v..â€" -_,V, the subject seemed to have an inex-J 'nnusdble charm (other. She womo : CHAPTER VI. ." shade- that has ever come Into my life. Why. I 1 simply can‘t hold it. I want to sing ‘1tto metal-sander)“ ltouttothe § whok wofld. Don’t you?” ' “I hardly think we’d better adver- “pom, the wane n- ‘ um his words hunt!!! quick in pursuit of his t1 bun unmiti- M eyes but closed in we: ’W; “I don‘t see any reason gaunt a. I lave often uken trlpo with Pole. nodbvengonewith hinterdmufl days at n time." ’ “ - â€"-â€"-n M,” Ill: I’d-u WW- “Na not and! today. that's true. Dar. dent. how {did grow :11 of a sudden! Andyetl'mjnsttheumeu [www.mrnflwmbe E: “’3 ‘ 'fi 1;“;â€" the sheltet of his arms. "I! would spoil you to grow up.” “It I: .0 god to he alive and to love you like. this!” she continued dreamlly. staring Into the one. “I seem to hue comeout of: gloomyhonsetnto the glory of a warm spring day. for my eye- m blinded. end 1 can‘t see halt the beautiful- ! want to. there are so may about me.” “niece are my arm.” Intel-jawed the soldier lkhtly h In eflort to ward at hetgmthc Isn‘t It queer!" The young man became conscious of a vague discomfort and realized dimly thatforhoonnowhehadbeensmoth- ermgwnhwoldsandmasome- thing that had 391'!“ When she beheld hih gazing at her the tilted her head sideways dalntily. uké’n um: bird. with O"..â€"‘â€"â€" a had at about the awakening ‘. nucleate deliberately “d with 1‘ no wleddm beyond her years. 2 .. ‘hed dominant! heewore to I’ll Then he melted 1: the eight crouched there against the wit renewing hb every move- Wm thhereonltnheqeyegthe 8111:?( ‘M‘... »..... .-. rmceoceemueupon oer disc with him to be inside them. “It be: u pillow out of a on... around which he ': khaki coat: then be laced boots and. taking 1.... heed boom and, m "‘ one In the palm of exert: his handover them and h via: a sense or be: M and tucked her in. While “Q: delightful languor, M an the tune. "“ “I’ll sit here beside you 1,4 he said. “I want to sun“. At times a great desire“ in his arms. to have ham“ surged o'er him. for be m cyan. 1mm women, mm m “ the night seemed to M was a strong man, N h I'll! the blood of mm who were wont to m“ they conquered in the its mingled with which tam spirited southern women“, occasion loved not w, Kentucky rumor. but oi, ‘1 Nevertheless they wen M gnd women. if ov had transmitted to his. m chivalry and a high send. courage. Her love had N. tier between them Mm Illa-mountable than herfi He gently withdrew It“ her map and. aeeiyg but: the wickiup, coveted u without disturbing herein. 1 It we: early dawn who“ “Idleuned yonhadu- .ld. shivering violenflyfl clots. “01:. “was“ zlmtootiredtodmnfh “So I had to contain m nan! hem" He quickly rekindled thl dawn: of therlslngnl gutted the cold airtheyhu the ridge and obtainedtu at broker! count!!! View flight withthe morningm| to!" lunch. declaring at. noni- might arrive at an! ' ‘ they went to the 10'3“ Wk” m’s Imam “ blazed a smooth $110t a. stream side of a tree ”‘d on at Necia‘s dicmfim" W finished she signed 1" .w «Pa 3‘! I“: witnessed "~ we" where he mwmd' ghe mark Loner center end “emery. Na ms ‘There’s no monem “We've but Ibemmu thatwmflli 3‘