, 1889-01-24
A PRIZE STORY.
Tragedy Of Duncan s Head in
the Cascades.
A Murderer Meets His Doom by
u Falling Crag.
AtMystsry Solved aud Lovers Re-unitsd''
Thrilling Rom sncs written bys
Lady OF Spokane Fslls.

unpret tious title OF q charming story
written by Miss Maude Sutton Of Spokane
Falls for the Christmas mum Der of the
Seattle Press, and for which she was
awarded the first prize The REVIEW re-
produces II, not alone on account OF the
local interest attached to the literary
achievements OF this talented lady, but
also for its intrinsic worth.
ONE NIGHT AT DuNcAN's HEAD.
At the foot Of one of the mighty peaks
that rear their stately heads above the
Cascade range, was Jagged rock whose
Are-scarred outlines bore q strange resemb-
lance to human head. The eyes. be-
meath their lowering brows, seemed for
ever searching the hszy distance, and
keeping tireless watch over the beauti-
full valley below. Could the rudely carved
lips have spoken they might have told
B.. marvellous stories OF the wonderful panora-
ma time had unrolled. Grim and un-
yielding IL stood like q sentinel Of the
back to the majestic mountain, as the years
rolled by, and still its foundations stood
Grm. And age slowly cooled the passionate
fires in the monarch's breast, its heart
throbs ceased to shake its rock-bound
sides, IL drew its ermine robes closely
about its roysl shoulders, while the pine
woods crept lovingly up, about its feet.
"Confound the iuck!"
This was Marcos more forcible than
elegant exclamation, as the blacksmith
surveyed him with the lordly manner of
zone who knows his worth" (be was the
only smith within ten miles), and calmly
informed him that four men we're ahead
OF him, and he must wait his turn.
"You cant make Bradlcy's no how to-
day." continued the knight of the anvil.
:'so you might as we'll take 1t easy. The
only stopping place between here and there
is at Duncan's Head, and you'll get there
easy before dark"
But Marcoe derived scant comfort from
this assurance, for he felt confident that
his sturdy horse. but for the loss Of his
shoe, would have carried him to his desti-
nation before nightfall. He had almost
determined to travel all night, when a
glance at the cloudy horizon, and the
threatening undertoDe which sounded now
and then In the pleasant wind that was
blowing. warned him OF storm not far
against Providence by grimly repeating TO
himself, John Rogers, John Rogers" in
imitation of the philosophical Josiah AL
lens wife, he esiQned himself to his fate,
and betook himself to Lighthouse near by,
which bore the legend, metropolitan
House."
The Metropolitan house proved to be
like the old lady's cottage, which, you re-
member, was small outside, but had a
great number Of large rooms, at least the
room he entered was large. for IL con-
tanned q stock of general merchandise,
the postofiice, the bar, the dinner table of
the hotei and a promiscnous assemblaRe of
Americas citizens, who were discussing
the foreign policy of the administration,
and filing the air with mingled profanity
and tobacco smoke.
The only silent person in the room
seemed to be an old gentleman of Mormon
proclivities. who was in consequence polit-
ically ostracised by the influential circle
now debating on matters of state.
lie sat at one side OF the box stove blink
ing feeblb, and expectorating at mark on
the wall opposite TO keeD himself awake.
The entrance OF a stranger was sufficient
to arouse his interest Immediately, and he
sidled over and opened fire at once.
"Howdy, stranRer?"
Marcoe gave him freezing look that
would have parayzed one of his Eastern
friends, but slid from his interlocutor's
hardened sensibilities like the dew off
cabbage leaf.
where 'er you from ?" politely Offering
q chew.
"Seattle." growlcd Marcoe, as he re-
fused the friendly attention.
"Yes? Been to Seattle myself; fine
place, II Seattle, but how long have you been
1.-Two weeks"
.'Only two weeks! Reckon you don't
know much about it, then; good town, but
right here is the place that could heat it,
IL we could only get railroad up here.
Finest location in Washington territory.
I've got ranch here that | low to cut up
into town lots. and name it Empire City.
You just wait two or three years, till
there's four or FIVE story bricks over yonder
where you see my wo0d'pile, and hun.
dred Thousand people are a Twin on this
side hill, where will Seattle and Tacoma
and ali them places be thenp tell you.
stranger, If you re lookin' for an invest.
next twelve months. I'm your man.
Marcoe began to suspect that the fossil
before him had been real estate agent in
some former stage of existence, and again
sought relief in thinking Of the martyred
Roger but luckily for him his new
friends curiosity got the better of his
business instincts, and he asked
Where did you come from to Scatter"
"YesP" Why I've been there myself.
Ever been to Cincinnatip"
"You don't say! Why, I've got
cousin liv,n' there. Tall chap-street car
driver-name's Jones, You'd remember
IL you'd seen him, he's 20 uncommonly
tail."
81 don't know Mr.. JONES'"
"Don'tp Mebbe you're not much &C.
quainted there; Where 'er you goinp"
ITO Bradleys." l.t.,..
"You don't sayp Why you can't get to
Bradley's to-day. Where do you low to
stop tonight; here to the hotel. or are you
goin onp''
"l'm going as far a. the next stage
station" ~
s"C0 Duncan's Head? Oueer Mace