The Silver Horde

u had raised their spirits, enabling them to complete the second stage of their journey in less than the expected time, and the southw

n the two men was broken at last by George, who f

oing to stay in Se

me to arrange a connection with some

as got to dress prett

" George

peop

suits of c

es

ever we

tain

im suddenly in a new light; in fact, he had discovered many strange phases of this young

. Pretty

y, at a

t worn one in the dayti

used only

e Emerson stared out into the velvet dar

rich men back East had women come around and clean

te r

red his throat and said, with

ou ever had 'em-shine yo

es

ently changing his mind, observed, "Seems to me I

l need you in raising that money. You know the pr

l stand for the full-dress suits of clothes and t

e you out

year

been

in Spokane Falls. But I d

good time in Chic

m from the lighted regions amid

, ain't we? I'm glad of it; I'

greatly to Boyd's relief, for the fellow was an unconscionable bore-and had th

mer's son at supper-ju

od for th

d fifty dollars?"

me for him. Beats all how these

money to gamble w

change last night in a

on B

sit in a game with them. They seem to be

e day before. I got the captain

llow?" Emerson cried, angril

indled' anybody? I would

no minin

nk I haven't? Alask

told

agon at Juneau I have improved each shining hour. While you and George was build

ll get into trouble! If you do, I won't come

s why. But say, getting money from these Reubs is a joke. It's like kicking a lamb in the face." He clinked s

as far as Seattle. I can't stand for your 'work

him, however, for their next move was in the direction of a clothier's, where they were outfitted from sole to crown. The garments they stood up in showed whence they had come; yet the strangeness of their apparel excited little comment, for Seattle is the gateway to the great North Country, and hither the Northmen foregather, going and coming. But to them the city was

ough a plate-glass window." When his roving eyes first lighted upon

d his companion about munching tomatoes at every step, refilling his pockets as his supply diminished. To show his willingness for any sacrifice, he

, "or I'll make your swell friends sore and spoil the

a dress suit." Boyd smiled, amused at his earnestness, for

Seattle, show her to me and I'll practice on her,

acknowledged, at which the clothier's clerk, who had noted

nd when the two returned to the hotel Emerson found the representa

l from the North," bega

me down to g

! Billy

college mates. He wanted to know if you are t

mused. "Billy Athen

spaper man went on. "However, I won't need to take much of your time, for your

part

quire about you and volunteered to

Emerson, now tho

ess" Fraser, who, having watched the interview from a distance,

bisher!" Boyd stam

d me how you rescued that girl when

di

ay it up. He is going to let me in on that hydraulic proposition of y

r negotiations about this hydraulic

e up a little pool among the boys at the office and

over first," said Emerson, grimly. "I think we will keep

won't le

st at p

. When a fellow drones along on a salary month after month it makes him envious to see you

rode quickly over to Fraser, who was lolling back comfortably,

in a low tone, "what do you mean by mix

aker, ain't it? It sounds like the mone

and if you try anything more like that

ic mine was no good? Too bad! That reporter agreed to take some

or happens to be a friend of mine, whose assistance

at's differen

ns, absolutely. You've been very decent to me in many ways, but if I

ished the rogue. "You stick to me, and I

not forget, however, that except for this impossible creature he himself would be lying at Petellin's store at

purred him on to feverish haste. When he had dressed he hurried to a telegraph office and dispatched two messages to Chicago, one addressed to his own tailor, the other to a number on Lake Shore Drive. Over the latter he pondered long,

with fascinated eyes at his finger-nails,

ingly. "They're as clean as a hound's tooth.

ed. "All I need to raise now is one hundred tho

ing the contemplation of his digits. "That's

ook ver

sh! I

y, now. We will make it go, sure. These bankers know what that salmon business is. Why, I

hough. I was kind of rattled when I walked in and sat down, and I couldn't think of nothing to talk about. I never opened my head all the

love with a manicurist at some time or other. It seems to b

e," said the fisherman, sudde

e Fraser; for the rogue was bound to them by the intangible ties of hardship and trail life, and they could not bear to part from

remarked. "He might at least have

he's away I miss him," said George. "He's p

sought their Pullman more piqued than they cared to admit. When the train pulled out, they went forward to the smoking com

e was Fraser grinning

ing here?" they

I'm on my

abouts

was what you said." He seated him

g to Chicago?

." The crook sighed luxuriously and began to b

hether to be pleased or angered at the

yours. I've got

u going to d

ided yet, but I might

o full of Ala

enterprise that will land us both in jail, so for my own protection I'll tell you what I'll d

ate. Anybody can examine them. If he don't like them, he needn't go in. If he weaken

onest, I'll let you place some of

ell stock of my own and keep all the money. Maybe I'

o-" Boyd

suggested the possibility. If that is yo

is head. "You are impos

help lik

ment he was as gay as a prospective bridegroom, at the next he was more dejected than a man under sentence. And

ed threat from Boyd. That young gentleman, after seeing his companions comfortably ensconced, left them to their own devices while he drove to the tailor to whom he had

unt for a manicure parlor. Ain't that a rave? He's gone finger-mad. He'd ought to ha

itude, so I wish you would k

. He ain't safe in the heart of a great city; he's a menace to the life and limb of every manicure woman who

The animal appeared to crawl more slowly every moment, the rubber-rimmed wheels to turn more sluggishly with each revolution. He called to the driver to hurry, then found himself of a sudden gripped by an overpowering hesitation, and grew frightened at his own haste. The close atmosphere of the cab seemed to stifle him: he jerked the window ope

stared at him through a blind film of unrecognit

en he left the hotel. Never before had his goal seemed so unattainable; never b

he paid the driver, and it was a very pale though very erect young man who mounted the stone steps to the bell. Despite the stiffness with which he held himself, he felt the muscles at his knees trembling we

saying, as a liveried old man ushered him i

n. You have been away

s Wayla

expecting you. T

oing: she had always awaited him in the library, so it seemed. And how well he remembered that wonderful b

swish at his back, yet for the briefest instant he did not

and strod

his heart pounding against hers like the heart of a runner who has spent himself at th