The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-05-25

you fight. and told" concluded Hardy
lightly. Jack old man, you're a fool.
Such a thing isn't crime. It's an
episode in a mans life. Forget the
eyes, and don't get sentimental.
You're a millionaire. Go down to In
diana, and get the girl I'll go too"
In week the shack was empty. Two
men and an Indian and a yellow dog
took the south trail
Its too long by the river" Ellis had
said. wen go to Juneau and take
the steamer down to Seattle"
Hardy had kicked against the COM
pany of the Hawk and Bones. but it
was useless. Ellis had ordered them
back, but the next day found them
keeping steadily to the trail, and Ellis
laughed, and said ne wouldn't go back
on old chums. The way was long and
tedious. and as they neared Juneau his
nerve began to 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.
1T was equal, but we each meant to
kill if we could" he said again and
again. mat IlurQef. mat what
they'll call it If they get me-"
The climax came 20 miles from Jun
eau. 1t was dawn and they were
breaking up camp. The splendor of
the sunrise glorified the whole wax
ing world, and there was the sharpness
of the frost in the air, and the touch
of its silver on every blade and twig.
Ellis 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 strap
ping up the blankets. His lips closed in
a straight line as he drew his knife
and severed the rope from the knot.
Then he rose and faced Ellis. strong,
young and sinewy. and there was a
new look in his eyes.
you'll not so to Scatter" he repeat
cd quietly.
NO"
ELLIS turned his head from the sun
rise and looked into the barrel of a re-
Vclver.
You shall co. said Hardy, between
his teeth, for 1 intend to take you
We happen to be on good American
soil once more. John Ellis l arrest
IL
and if YOU move your hand I'll put a
bullet through your head"
Ellis never moved muscle, but kept
his eyes on the man before him, and
a great terrible weight seemed to
press upon his breast as he realized
what the meaning of it all had been.
A whole year of close faithful conrad
ship, 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 bat
tie.
Did you mean to do it all the time,
Hardy?" he asked huskily.
That 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
1 took his place. Sit down there, on
that log. 1 can cover you easier. In
about an hour the party we passed
last night will come up and help me.
/ 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.
You have done your work WELL" he
said after time. Il suppose it's right,
but. Lord Harry, it's hard. Why, Har-
swung for it than had you the man.
You don't know how 1 liked you"
That girl married another man." in
terposed Hardy, keeping the revolver
in position, and reaching for his pipe
with his left hand. Il meant to tell
you before, but it seemed to be the on
ly thing that would bring you out"
Ellis glanced suddenly at the tree
trunk against which he had leaned his
III a. IL
tightening of the long sinewy frame,
a seconds hesitation, then he sprang
forward like a panther for the throat
of the detective. Halfway a bullet
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, when 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 step
ped 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 be-
tween the close-shut teeth, then felt
for the heart. 1t was beating softly.
The minutes passed. Silent and ex-
pressionless as a craven image, the
Hawk sat between the two bodies, his
knees drawn up tent-wise. his rife
resting on them as he watched 80 the
trail ahead. Once or twice he bent
over Ellis, and gave him more of the
whisky until at length he opened his
eyes, and looked up at the patch of
blue sky shining through the tangled
branches overhead. Bones whined. and
crept closer to him, and the Indian
nodded his head toward what lay on
the other side of him.
'Dead?" whispered Ellis, moistening
his lips with an effort
The Hawk bowed grimly There was
a long silence. and the full glory Of
day had spread over the mountains.
The autumn sunlight lay warm and
pleasant where the frost had been an