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128
The Keeper of the Bees

just below here on the mountain-side and I couldn’t drag any farther. I was staggering toward the Bee Master to ask him to help me, but he beat me to it and asked me to help him. I thought I couldn’t, but I did. I helped him to the hospital in time for his operation. I am staying in his house, taking care of his property. I am telling you truly what my name is, where you can find me. I am telling you that you may have my name any time you want to claim it.”

“To-morrow?” said the girl, breathlessly. “May I claim it to-morrow?”

“Any time you say, any place,” said Jamie. “Tell me where you want me to go and what you want me to do.”

And then, quite before Jamie knew at all what was happening to him or what was going to happen, he felt another shift of position of the woman in his arms, and for the next second he was in her arms. Hands had found the sides of his head and his face was turned up and a wet, cold salty face was laid against his, cold lips were touching his cheeks and a breathless voice was saying: “Oh! you’re good! You’re good! I didn’t know there was a man like you in the whole world! Will you meet me to-morrow at three o’clock at the Marriage Bureau in Los Angeles? Will you truly have a marriage license made out? Will you stand beside me through a ceremony that will mean life and the lifting of a black burden?”

“I will!” said Jamie. “Don’t give yourself another minute’s worry. Dry your eyes and cheer up! I’ll be right there as sure as God is in His Heaven and there’s any