The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-05-13

steps to and fro, while the small dark
eyes Of the Hawk watched him from
the corner. Hardy, I'm going down
Hardy smiled up at him through the
torn. ragged smoke wreaths from his
pipe.
why notg' he asked lightly.
Ellis frowned. He had forgotten all
save the man before him.
"You know what l told you one day
last year" he began, about that girl
and the man / fought fair? Well, they
don't exactly take my view of the mat
ter down there. They're waiting for
me. do you see? It's free up here"
But you want to see what she thinks
about it?' said the other musingly.
THAT'S it," cried Ellis earnestly.
That's just the point. She knows l
hadn't any bad feeling toward him only
so far as she was concerned, and she
hadn't promised either. We just made
up our minds to fight it out and let the
best man have her. And we didn't try
any dirty work either, knives or guns;
just took the weapons God gave us and
went to work one night after dance
We were coming home through the
woods" He paused and rested one
booted foot on the chair he had va
Gated as he leaned forward toward
Hardy. There's big jagged bluff
this side of town, and there isn't any
thing but rocks and river below. 1t
was clear of trees on top, though, and
Bob said to end it there. / didn't know
1t, Hardy. l swear l didn't know he
was dead until l felt him go all limp
from my arms. Something had snap
ped. l didn't know what until tried
to wake him up"
"WellY asked Hardy interestedly.
That's all. The neck was broken"
What made you throw him over the
bluff, thenT'
Ellis shuddered.
''Did say threw him overr
Hardy's slim white fingers closed
suddenly, and he bit his under lip.
Yes, you told me before" he re
turned.
Il didn't remember. Some devil put
1t In my head that maybe they'd find
him down there on the rocks and think
that was how it had happened So
dropped him over easy He looked
over Hardy's head to where the fire
light played witch game of tag with
the shadows. 1.-THE eyes wouldn't shut"
he added under his breath. ''They
looked at me as be went over"
And, of course, some one had seen
you fight and told" concluded Hardy
lightly. Jack, old man, you're a fool. |
Such thing isn't crime. It's an cpl
sode In mans life. Forget the eyes,
and don't get sentimental. You're a |
millionaire. Go down to Indiana and |
get the girl. I'll go too"
In week the shack was empty. Two
men and an Indian and yellow dog |
took the south trail.
It's too long by the river" Ellis had |
said. We'll go to Juneau and take the |
steamer down to Seattle"
Hardy had kicked against the compa- |
ny 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 he 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
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. That's murder. That's what
they'll call 1t if they get me.v
The climax came twenty miles 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. Ellis
stood looking at the eastern sky when
suddenly he turned to the other.
Il can't go any farther, Hardy" he
said determinedly. I'm going back. I
You go on. The Hawk and 1 will go to-
yether."
Hardy had been on his knees strap-
ping up the blankets. His lips closed in
straight line as he drew his knife and
severed the rope from the knot. Then
he rose and faced Ellis, strong, young
md sinewy, and there was a new look
n his eyes.
you'll not go to Scatter" he repeat
ID quietly.
mo"
Ellis turned his head from the sun.
Use and looked into the barrel of a re-
oliver.
You shall CO." said Hardy between
lis teeth, ''for / intend to take Won. {
Ne happen TO be ON good American I
OIL once more. John Ellis, arrest Won I
or the murder Of Robert Kerwin. and I
you move your hand I'll put bullet q
Trough your head"
Ellis never moved muscle, but kept
Us eyes on the man before him, and :