Part 29 (1/2)

CHAPTER XIV

The Co of Mary Grant

When first I arrived at Golden Crescent, I was not a little worried as to whether or not there would be sufficient work in the store and on the property to keep twoto discover that there really was not; but then, few people in and around that easy-going little settle very busy Still, when Jake and I wished for work, there was always enough of it at hand; just as, e felt inclined to be idle, there was no very special reason e should not, for there seldo for ioods fro up of camp orders I did not have to concernand repairing of fences, the erection of any s of trees, the sawing and splitting up of our winter supply of fuel, the raising and feeding of our very sarden These had been Jake's depart, and, as he looked after them as no other man I knew could have done, they remained his especial cares

Jake was never tre the day ti that showed

However, when there was a particularly big wash-up on the beach of stray ti the coast, both Jake and I had to knuckle doith a will and an energy in order to push the tide so as to prevent the on our tidy, clear and well-kept foreshore

Outside of an almost unnecessary supervision, the store wasproperly, I had lots of time on my hands to fish over by Rita's Isle if I so desired, to shoot in the woods behind when the inclination seized me, to swim, to smoke, or read and daydrearew lazy Anyway, I enjoyed every

I soon got to know the e of theard and ad, easily led world-wanderers, who, amble all they had on the toss of a coin or the throw of a die and, if they lost, laugh, and start off afresh

That there were evilly disposed ,--,--I knew, but with ood

Joe Clark did not honour me with a visit for un to congratulate s lie, when, one afternoon, as I was sorting the newly arrived and scantythe name of Dow, Cross & Sneddon of Vancouver and addressed:--

Mr George Bre Co, Golden Crescent Bay, B C

hello! I thought; Joe Clark at last has been putting some of his threats into execution Now for the fireworks!

I opened the envelope and found thatone and that Joe Clark's knife for me,--if he had one,--was not yet sharpened

”Dear Sir,” the letter ran,

”We have received a letter frorove & Price, Solicitors for the property adjoining that of the Golden Crescent Co's, infor us that some friends of the owner have permission from him to occupy his house at Golden Crescent This refers to the house in proximity to the wharf and the store It is at present boarded up

”Two japanese women will arrive by the steamer _Cloochman_ at the end of the week to open up, air, clean out the house and put it in order

These cleaners will return to Vancouver by the sa week

”This letter is written simply to inforal is going on

”Of course, we are in no way interested in this property

”Yours truly, ”DOW, CROSS & SNEDDON”