REFINED GOLD
For days the raging fever held Martin in its terrible grip. Never once
was he conscious of his surroundings, and most trying was it for the
patient watchers to listen to his wild ravings. Every night Tom came to
the hospital to take his turn by the side of the sick man. In fact, he
would have remained part of each day as well if he had been permitted to
do so, and he always grumbled when he was ordered by Dick to go and get
some sleep. Nurse Marion sat at times with Tom. She found it difficult
to rest, as she did not know at what moment Martin might need more help
than the miner could give.
One day she was sitting alone by the bed, with her needle-work, as
usual, in her hands. The sufferer was still and to all appearance
asleep. Sounds of the violin came from the outer room, where Nance was
playing softly for the benefit of the few patients who were there. The
strains brought a restful feeling into the nurse's heart, for it had
been weeks since she had heard the sound of music. Presently her work
dropped into her lap, and her hands remained idle. Her eyes gazed off
through the window before her, though she saw nothing.
She was startled from her reverie by a light touch upon her hand.
Glancing down, great was her surprise to see Martin looking intently
into her face. In his eyes was the light of reason, mingled with
surprise. The nurse was on her feet in an instant, bending over the cot.
"Hush," she soothed, as if Martin were a child awaking from sleep.
"Don't speak now."
"I must," Martin feebly breathed. "Are you Beryl? I woke, and thought I
was dreaming, and so I touched your hand to be sure."
"Yes, I am Beryl," was the reply. "But you must not talk any more. You
are very weak."
With a deep sigh, whether of regret or contentment the nurse could not
tell, Martin closed his eyes, and in a few moments passed into a restful
and a natural sleep. Nurse Marion stood very still for a while watching
him. Just what her thoughts were she alone knew, but her eyes were moist
as she presently turned and walked softly into the large ward outside.
As the days passed Martin rapidly improved, and at length he was able to
sit up. The miners came often to see him, for they all held him in high
regard for what he had done for Tim. But Martin was never so happy as
when Beryl was in the room. Neither had once mentioned the days years
ago, and to outward eyes they were friends and nothing more. But little
did people realise what was taking place in the hearts of both patient
and nurse alike. Beryl was ever on her guard lest she should let slip
the slightest word which might betray her inmost feelings. The
bitterness of that day when Nance had first knelt by the cot had passed
away. But she did not know what Martin thought of her, though at times
she found his eyes fixed upon her in a puzzled way.
Martin, in fact, did not know what to make of Beryl's quiet constrained
manner. If she had expressed surprise, or even upbraided him, he could
have understood it. But she never alluded to the past. She waited upon
him, and talked about ordinary things, but that was all. This
estrangement was hard for him to endure. He began to feel that she no
longer cared for him. She knew what he had done, and so was determined
to treat him as any other patient. Such was the situation between the
two. Each believed that the other did not care, and so both made every
effort not to reveal the real feelings enshrined within their hearts.
One bright afternoon Nance and Dick crossed over the river to the lonely
house to bring back some books for the Reading Room. Beryl watched them
as they sped down to the river on their show-shoes--for there was no
path in the deep snow. A sigh escaped her lips as she saw how happy they
were. Laughingly they waved their hands to her as they reached the
river, and saw her still at the window. What perfect understanding there
is between them, she mused. Could any two people be more suited to each
other than they?
She remained gazing after them for a while, and then went into the room
where Martin was sitting. She found him near the window facing the
river. His eyes were filled with an inexpressible sadness as they
followed Nance and Dick until they reached the log building beyond.
Beryl stood watching him for a few heart beats, and then moved softly to
his side. But Martin did not look up. Instead, his whole body drooped,
his head bent forward, and he buried his face in his hands as if trying
to shut out something from his view.
"What is it?" Beryl asked, in a voice tremulous with emotion. "Are you
not feeling well? Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Beryl," and Martin lifted his face, which was now drawn and haggard.
"Yes--Martin," was the faint reply.
"Sit down, Beryl. There, that's better."'
A deep silence now reigned in the room. Martin's gaze wandered out
through the window, but the nurse saw nothing. Neither did she hear
anything, except the wild beating of her own heart. She longed to do
something to comfort the visibly distressed man nearby. But she felt
powerless, and no words could she utter.
"Why must I suffer like this, Beryl?" burst at last from Martin's lips.
"There, there!" he cried, lifting a thin warning hand. "Don't speak
until I am through. I know why I suffer. It's just, and what else could
I expect. But, my God! is there to be no end? Is this suffering of
mind--this hell, never to cease? Why did they not let me die out there
in the snow?"
"Hush, hush! Martin," and Beryl rose to her feet, and laid her hand
lightly upon his shoulder. "Don't talk that way! I can't stand it!"
"I must talk. Don't try to stop me. Did you see them going over the
river?" he asked. "How happy they are. I am nothing to Nance now. Dick
is everything, and I am only in the way. What have I to live for?"
These words caused Beryl to straighten up suddenly. The trembling
emotion which had possessed her departed, leaving her very white and
calm. Then it was Nance he alone cared for, she told herself. Of her
only he thought. Yes, she knew now, and why had she expected anything
else?
"Beryl," Martin continued, after a pause, "do you see how happy they
are? They are everything to each other. We, too, might have been as
happy--but--but for my----How can you look at me, or speak to me, Beryl?
You know what I did, and what an outcast I am to-day from God and the
Church. Is there any one in the whole world so vile as I?"
"But you have atoned for the past," Beryl soothed. "Think of what you
have done."
"Done! Done! Good Lord! what have I done that can ever merit forgiveness
from an avenging God? Is there any pardon for one who disgraced his
sacred office, broke his parents' hearts, and denounced his Church? Men
may talk lightly of sin. But they know not what they are saying, nor its
terrible consequences. Nothing can wipe out such a stain as mine, which
is so great. There is murder on my hands!"
"The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin," Beryl gently
quoted, with tears now streaming down her cheeks. "Don't you, oh, don't
you believe it?"
"I believe it, but I don't feel it. It doesn't give me peace. What can
wash away _my_ sins, which are so great?"
"'If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the
righteous, and He is the propitiation for our sins,'" Beryl once more
quoted.
"Ah, ah," and Martin slightly raised his head. "There is comfort in
those words. 'If any man sin,' and 'Jesus' blood cleanseth us from all
sin,' Beryl," and he now looked up full into her face. "You know how
great are my sins, do you really think that they can ever be forgiven?"
Beryl at once leaned forward and caught his right hand in hers.
"Martin," she cried, "I forgave you long ago, and will not He, whose
love and mercy are so great, be more ready to forgive?"
Into Martin's eyes came an expression of surprise, mingled with hope.
"Do you mean it, Beryl?" he asked, in a voice scarcely above a whisper.
"That you forgive me? I can't believe it!"
"Yes, yes; it's true. I forgave you long ago. Even when every one
denounced you I still believed in you."
"Is it possible? Is it possible?" and Martin gazed absently out of the
window. "What reason had you to forgive me?"
"Perhaps there was none," Beryl gently replied. "When a woman loves she
doesn't seek for a reason; she never thinks of it. True love is of the
heart, and not of the head."
"And I believed that you had forgotten!" Martin murmured.
"So you thought of me--sometimes, then?" Beryl questioned.
"Thought of you!" Martin passionately cried, seizing both of her hands
in his. "Day and night during those long terrible years you were never
out of my mind. But for the thought of you I would not be here to-day."
He paused suddenly, and the woman standing by his side could feel his
form tremble as if shaken by some violent emotion.
"Beryl," came at last low and tense from his lips, "is it too late? You
know what I mean. Do you care enough for me to--to----"
"To take up life where we laid it down years ago? Is that what you
mean?"
"Yes, that's it, Beryl. Oh, can we?"
"What is there to hinder?" was the quiet response. "Why should we be
separated any longer when we mean so much to each other?"
The only reply Martin made was to reach out and enfold Beryl in his arms
as she sank into the chair by his side. Her face was close to his, and
their lips met. At last the struggle, doubt, and uncertainty were ended.
A peace such as they had not known for years came into their hearts.
Their lives, like two turbulent streams long parted, were at last
reunited, to flow on as one, strong and deep.
For over an hour they sat and talked about the future. Time was as
nothing to them now, and they were surprised when the door opened and
Nance and Dick entered. Beryl rose instantly to her feet, while a flush
mantled her cheeks and brow. But Nance did not notice her agitation, so
engrossed was she with her own affairs. Hurrying across the room, she
threw her arms about the nurse's neck, and gave her an affectionate
kiss. She then knelt by Martin's side, and looked up into his face.
"Daddy, oh, daddy!" she cried, "I am so happy!" Then words failed her,
and she hid her blushing face in her hands.
Dick, who had been standing in the middle of the room, now came forward,
and stood before Martin. "May I have her?" he simply asked. "Nance has
promised to be my wife if you will give your consent."
For a few heart beats there was a tense silence, while Martin sat gazing
off into space. He was thinking of the past, and of a little child he
had rescued from the Indians on the bank of the Mackenzie River years
before. Presently his eyes sought those of the young man before him.
"Do you know that Nance is not my child?" he asked in a hesitating
voice. "I do not even know her parents' names."
"Yes, I know," Dick replied. "But that doesn't make any difference."
"If you had asked me for Nance a month, nay, even an hour ago," Martin
continued, "I should have refused you. She was all I had in the world.
But now it is different. You may have her, for I have one to take her
place. I have found my Beryl. She has come back to me."
At these words Nance sprang to her feet, and looked eagerly and
curiously around the room. Seeing only the nurse standing there with a
happy smile upon her face, she was much puzzled, and turned to Martin
for an explanation.
"Oh, daddy!" she exclaimed, "how you startled me! What did you mean by
saying that Beryl had come back?"
"And so she has, dear. This is my long lost Beryl you see before you."
For an instant only Nance stood there, her eyes filled with wonder. Then
they brightened, with complete understanding, and with a glad cry she
sprang toward the nurse, who caught her in her arms, and showered kisses
upon the fair, fresh face turned up to hers.
During the remainder of the afternoon all was excitement within that
little room. There was so much to talk about that it was supper time
before they were half through. While Beryl and Nance were preparing the
simple repast the two men discussed plans for the future.
"You must stay right here," Dick told Martin. "We can work so much
better together."
"But only as a helper," was the low reply. "Remember I am an outcast,
and----"
"Hush," Dick interrupted, "don't speak of that again. Let the past be
buried forever."
Scarcely had the four sat down to supper ere a knock sounded upon the
door. When it was opened Tom and Old Dad entered. They were given a
hearty welcome, and room was made for them at the table. Soon the whole
story was told, and nothing would do the visitors but they must rise and
grasp the hands of the happy couples, and wish them much joy. Tom was so
excited that he could eat but little, and for once his tongue seemed
tied. When the meal was ended he pushed back from the table, and ran his
fingers thoughtfully through his hair.
"If I only had a smoke," he remarked, "it 'ud certainly relieve my
feelin's."
"Smoke to your heart's content," Beryl laughingly replied.
"What! Here?"
"Yes. Make yourself perfectly at home."
"I guess a game of chess would relieve _my_ feelin's," and Dad looked
eagerly into Nance's face as he spoke. "D'ye feel equal fer the battle
after all this excitement?"
"Why, yes," was the cheerful response. "Just as soon as these dishes are
washed we shall have a game."
What an evening that was on the bank of the Quaska River in that room in
the hospital. Happiness reigned supreme, for the black clouds had all
disappeared. When the game was ended they talked about the visit which
would be made next summer to the great world outside of which Nance had
heard so much, but had never seen. Then the two newly-wedded couples
would return to carry on the work in the place which was so dear to
their hearts.
"An' we'll be here to give yez a house-warmin', hey, Dad?" Tom
exclaimed, with joy depicted upon his honest, rugged face.
"Sure thing," was the reply. "An' mebbe ye'll git a few new wrinkles at
chess," he slyly added, turning to Nance, at which they all laughed.
Then just before they parted for the night, Martin asked for his violin.
Nance brought hers, too, and together they played, the first time in
months. There were no sad wailing notes now, but only such music as
wells freely from hearts full of love, gratitude, and happiness.
THE END
ZANE GREY'S NOVELS
_THE LIGHT OF WESTERN STARS_
A New York society girl buys a ranch which becomes the center of
frontier warfare. Her loyal superintendent rescues her when she is
captured by bandits. A surprising climax brings the story to a
delightful close.
_THE RAINBOW TRAIL_
The story of a young clergyman who becomes a wanderer in the great
western uplands--until at last love and faith awake.
_DESERT GOLD_
The story describes the recent uprising along the border, and ends with
the finding of the gold which two prospectors had willed to the girl who
is the story's heroine.
_RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE_
A picturesque romance of Utah of some forty years ago when Mormon
authority ruled. The prosecution of Jane Withersteen is the theme of the
story.
_THE LAST OF THE PLAINSMEN_
This is the record of a trip which the author took with Buffalo Jones,
known as the preserver of the American bison, across the Arizona desert
and of a hunt in "that wonderful country of deep canons and giant
pines."
_THE HERITAGE OF THE DESERT_
A lovely girl, who has been reared among Mormons, learns to love a young
New Englander. The Mormon religion, however, demands that the girl shall
become the second wife of one of the Mormons--Well, that's the problem
of this great story.
_THE SHORT STOP_
The young hero, tiring of his factory grind, starts out to win fame and
fortune as a professional ball player. His hard knocks at the start are
followed by such success as clean sportsmanship, courage and honesty
ought to win.
_BETTY ZANE_
This story tells of the bravery and heroism of Betty, the beautiful
young sister of old Colonel Zane, one of the bravest pioneers.
_THE LONE STAR RANGER_
After killing a man in self defense Buck Duane becomes an outlaw along
the Texas border. In a camp on the Mexican side of the river, he finds a
young girl held prisoner, and in attempting to rescue her, brings down
upon himself the wrath of her captors and henceforth is hunted on one
side by honest men, on the other by outlaws.
_THE BORDER LEGION_
Joan Randle, in a spirit of anger, sent Jim Cleve out to a lawless
Western mining camp, to prove his mettle. Then realizing that she loved
him--she followed him out. On her way, she is captured by a bandit band,
and trouble begins when she shoots Kells, the leader--and nurses him to
health again. Here enters another romance when Joan, disguised as an
outlaw, observes Jim, in the throes of dissipation. A gold strike, a
thrilling robbery--gambling and gun play carry you along breathlessly.
* * * * *
_THE LAST OF THE GREAT SCOUTS._
By Helen Cody Wetmore and Zane Grey
The life story of Colonel William F. Cody, "Buffalo Bill," as told by
his sister and Zane Grey. It begins with his boyhood in Iowa and his
first encounter with an Indian. We see "Bill" as a pony express rider,
then near Fort Sumter as Chief of the Scouts, and later engaged in the
most dangerous Indian campaigns. There is also a very interesting
account of the travels of "The Wild West" Show. No character in public
life makes a stronger appeal to the imagination of America than "Buffalo
Bill," whose daring and bravery made him famous.
BOOTH TARKINGTON'S NOVELS
_SEVENTEEN._ Illustrated by Arthur William Brown.
No one but the creator of Penrod could have portrayed the immortal young
people of this story. Its humor is irresistible and reminiscent of the
time when the reader was Seventeen.
_PENROD._ Illustrated by Gordon Grant.
This is a picture of a boy's heart, full of the lovable, humorous,
tragic things which are locked secrets to most older folks. It is a
finished, exquisite work.
_PENROD AND SAM._ Illustrated by Worth Brehm.
Like "Penrod" and "Seventeen," this book contains some remarkable phases
of real boyhood and some of the best stories of juvenile prankishness
that have ever been written.
_THE TURMOIL._ Illustrated by G. E. Chambers.
Bibbs Sheridan is a dreamy, imaginative youth, who revolts against his
father's plans for him to be a servitor of big business. The love of a
fine girl turns Bibb's life from failure to success.
_THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA._ Frontispiece.
A story of love and politics,--more especially a picture of a country
editor's life in Indiana, but the charm of the book lies in the love
interest.
_THE FLIRT._ Illustrated by Clarence F. Underwood.
The "Flirt," the younger of two sisters, breaks one girl's engagement,
drives one man to suicide, causes the murder of another, leads another
to lose his fortune, and in the end marries a stupid and unpromising
suitor, leaving the really worthy one to marry her sister.
THE NOVELS OF GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON
_GRAUSTARK._ Illustrated with Scenes from the Play.
With the appearance of this novel, the author introduced a new type of
story and won for himself a perpetual reading public. It is the story of
love behind a throne in a new and strange country.
_BEVERLY OF GRAUSTARK._ Illustrations by Harrison Fisher.
This is a sequel to "Graustark." A bewitching American girl visits the
little principality and there has a romantic love affair.
_PRINCE OF GRAUSTARK._ Illustrations by A. I. Keller.
The Prince of Graustark is none other than the son of the heroine of
"Graustark." Beverly's daughter, and an American multimillionaire with a
brilliant and lovely daughter also figure in the story.
_BREWSTER'S MILLIONS._
Illustrated with Scenes from the Photo-Play.
A young man, required to spend one million dollars in one year, in order
to inherit _seven_, accomplishes the task in this lively story.
_COWARDICE COURT._
Illus. by Harrison Fisher and decorations by Theodore Hapgood.
A romance of love and adventure, the plot forming around a social feud
in the Adirondacks in which an English girl is tempted into being a
traitor by a romantic young American.
_THE HOLLOW OF HER HAND._ Illustrated by A. I. Keller.
A story of modern New York, built around an ancient enmity, born of the
scorn of the aristocrat for one of inferior birth.
_WHAT'S-HIS-NAME._ Illustrations by Harrison Fisher.
"What's-His-Name" is the husband of a beautiful and popular actress who
is billboarded on Broadway under an assumed name. The very opposite
manner in which these two live their lives brings a dramatic climax to
the story.
THE NOVELS OF MARY ROBERTS RINEHART
_"K."_ Illustrated.
K. LeMoyne, famous surgeon, drops out of the world that has known him,
and goes to live in a little town where beautiful Sidney Page lives. She
is in training to become a nurse. The joys and troubles of their young
love are told with that keen and sympathetic appreciation which has made
the author famous.
_THE MAN IN LOWER TEN._ Illustrated by Howard Chandler Christy.
An absorbing detective story woven around the mysterious death of the
"Man in Lower Ten." The strongest elements of Mrs. Rinehart's success
are found in this book.
_WHEN A MAN MARRIES._ Illustrated by Harrison Fisher and Mayo Bunker.
A young artist, whose wife had recently divorced him; finds that his
aunt is soon to visit him. The aunt, who contributes to the family
income and who has never seen the wife, knows nothing of the domestic
upheaval. How the young man met the situation is humorously and most
entertainingly told.
_THE CIRCULAR STAIRCASE._ Illus. by Lester Ralph.
The summer occupants of "Sunnyside" find the dead body of Arnold
Armstrong, the son of the owner, on the circular staircase. Following
the murder a bank failure is announced. Around these two events is woven
a plot of absorbing interest.
_THE STREET OF SEVEN STARS._ Illustrated (Photo Play Edition.)
Harmony Wells, studying in Vienna to be a great violinist, suddenly
realizes that her money is almost gone. She meets a young ambitious
doctor who offers her chivalry and sympathy, and together with
world-worn Dr. Anna and Jimmie, the waif, they share their love and
slender means.
STORIES OF RARE CHARM BY GENE STRATTON-PORTER
_MICHAEL O'HALLORAN._ Illustrated by Frances Rogers.
Michael is a quick-witted little Irish newsboy, living in Northern
Indiana. He adopts a deserted little girl, a cripple. He also assumes
the responsibility of leading the entire rural community upward and
onward.
_LADDIE._ Illustrated by Herman Pfeifer.
This is a bright, cheery tale with the scenes laid in Indiana. The story
is told by Little Sister, the youngest member of a large family, but it
is concerned not so much with childish doings as with the love affairs
of older members of the family. Chief among them is that of Laddie and
the Princess, an English girl who has come to live in the neighborhood
and about whose family there hangs a mystery.
_THE HARVESTER._ Illustrated by W. L. Jacobs.
"The Harvester," is a man of the woods and fields, and if the book had
nothing in it but the splendid figure of this man it would be notable.
But when the Girl comes to his "Medicine Woods," there begins a romance
of the rarest idyllic quality.
_FRECKLES._ Illustrated.
Freckles is a nameless waif when the tale opens, but the way in which he
takes hold of life; the nature friendships he forms in the great
Limberlost Swamp; the manner in which everyone who meets him succumbs to
the charm of his engaging personality; and his love-story with "The
Angel" are full of real sentiment.
_A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST._ Illustrated.
The story of a girl of the Michigan woods; a buoyant, loveable type of
the self-reliant American. Her philosophy is one of love and kindness
towards all things; her hope is never dimmed. And by the sheer beauty of
her soul, and the purity of her vision, she wins from barren and
unpromising surroundings those rewards of high courage.
_AT THE FOOT OF THE RAINBOW._ Illustrations in colors.
The scene of this charming love story is laid in Central Indiana. The
story is one of devoted friendship, and tender self-sacrificing love.
The novel is brimful of the most beautiful word painting of nature, and
its pathos and tender sentiment will endear it to all.
_THE SONG OF THE CARDINAL._ Profusely Illustrated.
A love ideal of the Cardinal bird and big mate, told with delicacy and
humor.
KATHLEEN NORRIS' STORIES
_MOTHER._ Illustrated by F. G. Yohn.
This book has a fairy-story touch, counterbalanced by the sturdy reality
of struggle, sacrifice, and resulting peace and power of a mother's
experiences.
_SATURDAY'S CHILD._ Frontispiece by F. Graham Cootes.
Out on the Pacific coast a normal girl, obscure and lovely, makes a
quest for happiness. She passes through three stages--poverty, wealth
and service--and works out a creditable salvation.
_THE RICH MRS. BURGOYNE._ Illustrated by Lucius H. Hitchcock.
The story of a sensible woman who keeps within her means, refuses to be
swamped by social engagements, lives a normal human life of varied
interests, and has her own romance.
_THE STORY OF JULIA PAGE._ Frontispiece by Allan Gilbert.
How Julia Page, reared in rather unpromising surroundings, lifted
herself through sheer determination to a higher plane of life.
_THE HEART OF RACHAEL._ Frontispiece by Charles E. Chambers.
Rachael is called upon to solve many problems, and in working out these,
there is shown the beauty and strength of soul of one of fiction's most
appealing characters.
JACK LONDON'S NOVELS
_JOHN BARLEYCORN._ Illustrated by H. T. Dunn.
This remarkable book is a record of the author's own amasing
experiences. This big, brawny world rover, who has been acquainted with
alcohol from boyhood, comes out boldly against John Barleycorn. It is a
string of exciting adventures, yet it forcefully conveys an unforgetable
idea and makes a typical Jack London book.
_THE VALLEY OF THE MOON._ Frontispiece by George Harper.
The story opens in the city slums where Billy Roberts, teamster and
ex-prize fighter, and Saxon Brown, laundry worker, meet and love and
marry. They tramp from one end of California to the other, and in the
Valley of the Moon find the farm paradise that is to be their salvation.
_BURNING DAYLIGHT._ Four illustrations.
The story of an adventurer who went to Alaska and laid the foundations
of his fortune before the gold hunters arrived. Bringing his fortunes to
the States he is cheated out of it by a crowd of money kings, and
recovers it only at the muzzle of his gun. He then starts out as a
merciless exploiter on his own account. Finally he takes to drinking and
becomes a picture of degeneration. About this time he falls in love with
his stenographer and wins her heart but not her hand and then--but read
the story!
_A SON OF THE SUN._ Illustrated by A. O. Fischer and C.W. Ashley.
David Grief was once a light-haired, blue-eyed youth who came from
England to the South Seas in search of adventure. Tanned like a native
and as lithe as a tiger, he became a real son of the sun. The life
appealed to him and he remained and became very wealthy.
_THE CALL OF THE WILD._ Illustrations by Philip R. Goodwin and Charles
Livingston Bull. Decorations by Charles E. Hooper.
A book of dog adventures as exciting as any man's exploits could be.
Here is excitement to stir the blood and here is picturesque color to
transport the reader to primitive scenes.
_THE SEA WOLF._ Illustrated by W. J. Aylward.
Told by a man whom Fate suddenly swings from his fastidious life into
the power of the brutal captain of a sealing schooner. A novel of
adventure warmed by a beautiful love episode that every reader will hail
with delight.
_WHITE FANG._ Illustrated by Charles Livingston Bun.
"White Fang" is part dog, part wolf and all brute, living in the frozen
north; he gradually comes under the Spell of man's companionship, and
surrenders all at the last in a fight with a bull dog. Thereafter he is
man's loving slave.
SEWELL FORD'S STORIES
_SHORTY McCABE._ Illustrated by Francis Vaux Wilson.
A very humorous story. The hero, an independent and vigorous thinker,
sees life, and tells about it in a very unconventional way.
_SIDE-STEPPING WITH SHORTY._ Illustrated by Francis Vaux Wilson.
Twenty skits, presenting people with their foibles. Sympathy with human
nature and an abounding sense of humor are the requisites "side-stepping
with Shorty."
_SHORTY McCABE ON THE JOB._ Illustrated by Francis Vaux Wilson.
Shorty McCabe reappears with his figures of speech revamped right up to
the minute. He aids in the right distribution of a "conscience fund,"
and gives joy to all concerned.
_SHORTY McCABE'S ODD NUMBERS._ Illustrated by Francis Vaux Wilson.
These further chronicles of Shorty McCabe tell of his studio for
physical culture, and of his experiences both on the East side and at
swell yachting parties.
_TORCHY._ Illus. by Geo. Biehm and Jas. Montgomery Flagg.
A red-headed office boy, overflowing with wit and wisdom peculiar to the
youths reared on the sidewalks of New York, tells the story of his
experiences.
_TRYING OUT TORCHY._ Illustrated by F. Foster Lincoln.
Torchy is just as deliriously funny in these stories as he was in the
previous book.
_ON WITH TORCHY._ Illustrated by F. Foster Lincoln.
Torchy falls desperately in love with "the only girl that ever was," but
that young society woman's aunt tries to keep the young people apart,
which brings about many hilariously funny situations.
_TORCHY, PRIVATE SEC._ Illustrated by F. Foster Lincoln.
Torchy rises from the position of office boy to that of secretary for
the Corrugated Iron Company. The story is full of humor and infectious
American slang.
_WILT THOU TORCHY._ Illus. by F. Snapp and A. W. Brown.
Torchy goes on a treasure search expedition to the Florida West Coast,
in company with a group of friends of the Corrugated Trust and with his
friend's aunt, on which trip Torchy wins the aunt's permission to place
an engagement ring on Vee's finger.
JOHN FOX, JR'S. STORIES OF THE KENTUCKY MOUNTAINS
_THE TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE._ Illustrated by F. C. Yohn.
The "lonesome pine" from which the story takes its name was a tall tree
that stood in solitary splendor on a mountain top. The fame of the pine
lured a young engineer through Kentucky to catch the trail, and when he
finally climbed to its shelter he found not only the pine but the
_foot-prints of a girl_. And the girl proved to be lovely, piquant, and
the trail of these girlish foot-prints led the young engineer a madder
chase than "the trail of the lonesome pine."
_THE LITTLE SHEPHERD OF KINGDOM COME_ Illustrated by F. C. Yohn.
This is a story of Kentucky, in a settlement known as "Kingdom Come." It
is a life rude, semi-barbarous; but natural and honest, from which often
springs the flower of civilization.
"Chad." the "little shepherd" did not know who he was nor whence he
came--he had just wandered from door to door since early childhood,
seeking shelter with kindly mountaineers who gladly fathered and
mothered this waif about whom there was such a mystery--a charming waif,
by the way, who could play the banjo better that anyone else in the
mountains.
_A KNIGHT OF THE CUMBERLAND._ Illustrated by F. C. Yohn.
The scenes are laid along the waters of the Cumberland, the lair of
moonshiner and feudsman. The knight is a moonshiner's son, and the
heroine a beautiful girl perversely christened "The Blight." Two
impetuous young Southerners' fall under the spell of "The Blight's"
charms and she learns what a large part jealousy and pistols have in the
love making of the mountaineers.
Included in this volume is "Hell fer-Sartain" and other stories, some of
Mr. Fox's most entertaining Cumberland valley narratives.
B. M. Bower's Novels
Thrilling Western Romances
_CHIP, OF THE FLYING U_
A breezy wholesome tale, wherein the love affairs of Chip and Delia
Whitman are charmingly and humorously told. Chip's jealousy of Dr. Cecil
Grantham, who turns out to be a big, blue eyed young woman is very
amusing. A clever, realistic story of the American Cow-puncher.
_THE HAPPY FAMILY_
A lively and amusing story, dealing with the adventures of eighteen
jovial, big hearted Montana cowboys. Foremost amongst them, we find
Ananias Green, known as Andy, whose imaginative powers cause many lively
and exciting adventures.
_HER PRAIRIE KNIGHT_
A realistic story of the plains, describing a gay party of Easterners
who exchange a cottage at Newport for the rough homeliness of a Montana
ranch-house. The merry-hearted cowboys, the fascinating Beatrice, and
the effusive Sir Redmond, become living, breathing personalities.
_THE RANGE DWELLERS_
Here are everyday, genuine cowboys, just as they really exist. Spirited
action, a range feud between two families, and a Romeo and Juliet
courtship make this a bright, jolly, entertaining story, without a dull
page.
_THE LURE OF DIM TRAILS_
A vivid portrayal of the experience of an Eastern author, among the
cowboys of the West, in search of "local color" for a new novel. "Bud"
Thurston learns many a lesson while following "the lure of the dim
trails" but the hardest, and probably the most welcome, is that of love.
_THE LONESOME TRAIL_
"Weary" Davidson leaves the ranch for Portland, where conventional city
life palls on him. A little branch of sage brush, pungent with the
atmosphere of the prairie, and the recollection of a pair of large brown
eyes soon compel his return. A wholesome love story.
_THE LONG SHADOW_
A vigorous Western story, sparkling with the free, outdoor, life of a
mountain ranch. Its scenes shift rapidly and its actors play the game of
life fearlessly and like men. It is a fine love story from start to
finish.