Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb-Jul 1911)

PALS Diego uttered a cry of pain as an iron grip closed over the slender wrist with a pressure that seemed able to crush it. For a moment he writhed and struggled, seeking to turn the blade against this new antagonist, but the knife clattered to the floor and in another moment half a dozen men were piled upon his prostrate form and Harper was shaking hands with his preserver. "And you a tenderfoot," he cried amazed. "When I saw you get off the stage I sure had it figured that you'd take some training to get in line for the West, but — say — you're a ready-made man, that's what you are. What's your name, Old Timer?" "Brooks Denton," answered the easterner, not conscious of the compliment the expression ' ' Old Timer ' ' conveyed. "You're all right, Denton," cried Harper, "and any time you want a pal just tell me about it. I'm your man if you want me. ' ' "Then I may as well tell you now," was the smiling response. "I do want a pal, and if you mean it, I think we can get along first rate. I've enough to grub-stake two for a few months and—" "And I've a pretty comfortable cabin," volunteered Harper. "Is it a go?" ' ' The very -thing I wanted, ' ' was the hearty response. "Let's have a drink to celebrate the event and then get down to business." The invitation to all hands to step up to the bar completed Denton's popularity not an hour after he had stepped from the stage, and presently he became part owner of Harper's cabin by virtue of a liberal contribution of stores. The partnership brought success to Harper, whose development work on a lead did not return the promise of the indications. With two men to work they made more rapid progress, and the indications again grew most favorable. Harper had been famous in camp for his prejudice against "tenderfeet" from the East, but now he swore that the ideal combination was a man from the East and one from the W^est. When the work was temporarily stopped by a cave-in which laid Denton up for several weeks Harper nursed him as tenderly as a woman and knitted more firmly the bond between the two men. Then came pay-rock, and day after day Harper and Denton 'added to the store of gold in the chimney piece and planned what they would do when the pile grew big and they could sell the mine for a good, round sum. Five thousand apiece was the sum they set for the "cleanup," and then Denton would go back East for his family while Harper stayed to sell the mine. Denton's mother was failing fast and he was anxious to get back home. At last the day came when the dust was weighed for the hundredth time, and with the last addition made up the sum. Half the night they sat up and planned, and it was late when they rose in the morning. "You go up to the claim and start in, ' ' suggested Denton, ' ' and I '11 wash the dishes and clean up. We'll put in one more day and to-morrow we'll cash in the dust and divide. I don't like the idea of so much dust here. Diego doesn't like us and one of these days he'll make a raid." "Not while he remembers the grip you gave him, ' ' denied Harper with a laugh, as he shouldered his tools. "Bring up some stuff for lunch when you come." Denton nodded, and when his pal had gone he busied himself with the dish-washing. He was still at work when a miner living up the creek dropped in. ' ' This came in on the stage this morning," he explained, handing him a yellow telegraph envelope. "The driver asked me to bring it along to save him the trip, and he says he's going back at half past eleven." He hurried away, for he knew the contents of the envelope and, manlike, he hated a scene. With trembling fingers Denton tore open the envelope and confirmed his fears. His mother was sinking. Per