Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-24

leave him. In every possible way Hardy
urged him on 1t was nearly five years,
he argued. He had changed wonderfully.
If necessary he could take another name
until he found how the land lay And
there was the girl. perhaps waiting for
him. But Ellis wavered.
At was equal but we each meant to kill
If We could" he said again and again
That's murder. That's what they'll call
it if they get me-
The climax came 20 minutes from Juneau.
1t was dawn and they were breaking up
camp. The splendor of the sunrise glorified
the whole waking world, and there was the
sharpness of the frost in the air, and the
| touch OF Its silver on every blade and twig.
Ems stood looking at the eastern sky, when
suddenly he turned to the other.
Il can't go any further, Hardy" he said
determinedly I'm going back. You go on.
The Hawk and 1 will go together
HARDY had been on his knees strappng
! straight line as he drew his knife and sew
| cred the rope from the knot Then he rose
| and faceu Ellis. strong young and sinewy,
and there was new look in his eyes
| You IL not go to Scatter" he repeated
quietly:
Ellis turned his head from the sunrise
ana 10 looked into the barrel of revolver.
You shall 60" said Hardy, between his
| teeth, for | intend to take you. We hap
pen to be on good American soil once more
John Ellis. l arrest you for the murder of
| ieDpSil Nti "lil anu II you move YOUR hand
| II put bullet through your head"
Ellis never moved a muscle but kent his
eyes on the man before him, and great
| terrible weight seemed to press upon his
| breast as he realized what the meaning of
! 1t all had been. A whole year of close
| faithful comradeship, partners and friends
| he thought of how he had taken the
| stranger into the little old shack on the
| mountain side, and nursed him through the
| battle eA 'iie
| DID you mean to do it all the time.
Hardy?' he asked huski1y
Ihat was the little private business l
| came up on, returned the detective CURLY
| The other fellow died. you know. That
was why two were sent. l took his place
| Sit down there, on that log. l can cover
you easier. In about an hour the partv we
| passed last night will come up and helm
me. l half expected this ever since we
crossed the boundary and kept in their
| way
Ellis seated himself on the fallen tree
and again his eyes sought the sunrise.
| lou nave done your work WELL" he said
after a time. Il suppose it's right, but,
voice softened, I'D rather swung for it
| than had you the man. You don't know
| how liked you.
| THAT girl married another man" inter-
! posed Hardy, keeping the revolver in posi-
ton and reaching for his pipe with his left
hand Il meant to tell you before, but it
seemed to be the only thing that would
| bring you OUT
| Ellis glanced suddenly at the tree trunk
against which he had leaned his rifle It
was gone. There was Tightening of the
long sinewy frame seconds hesitation,
then he sprang forward like a panther for
| the throat of the detective. Halfway a bull
let struck him and he fell forward, his face
buried in the damp. thick leaf mold Before
| Hardy could move. before the smoke had
| curled away from his revolver, a second
| shot crashed through the bushes behind him
| and the head of the Hawk rose above them,
| with Ellis rifle leveled. The second BODY
lay boot to boot with the first whom the
Indian stole out into the open space and
Bones gave a long quivering howl as he
| lay down at his masters side and licked
| fearfully at one upturned hand. The Hawk
| stepped lightly past the detective and raised
! Ellis head There was a flask of whisky
| in the latter's pocket and he uncorked it
and forced some between the close-shut
| teeth. then felt for the heart. 1t was beat
| ing softly.
The minutes passed. Silent and express
| sionless as craven image the Hawk sat
| between the two bodies, his knees drawn up
| tent-wise, his rifle resting on them as he