The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1905-03-21
By JOHN r. MUSIcK,
Anthsr Of mysterious Mr.. Howard" "Ths
Dark Stranger" Charlie AIiendaIs's
Double" Etc.
Copyright, 1887, by RosxRT BossxRs SOFA
All rights reserved
CHAPTER xvI.-(continued.

Curse such luck! wish the men
had stayed"
why? Who are you afraid Off"
i don't know who he is, only he
calls himself the Old Man of the
Mountains
Where is he?"
In her tent"
Where did he come from?"
Looks as if he had slid down the
| peak OF some iceberg Go and take
a squint at him
Cummins, though a coward when
| there was woman in the case, had
! little fears of men. Creeping stealth
lily up to the tent he peeped in and
beheld the "Old Man of the Noun
tains, seated on a camp stool before
the fair Laura, his rifle between his
knees, while she was telling him her
story
"Umph' It's old st. Nick or an
escaped Selkirk. Looks as If he
brstled with weapons, and | don't
doubt but he can use EN-. The boss
is right, for glimpse O that face
and the arsenal he carries is enough
to give polar bear the ager."
notwithstanding the unprepossess-
ing appearance of the man from the
mountains, he pressed his ear close
to the tent to listen to the converse
ton between the two.
why did you come to Alaska, my
poor child?"
i came to find the man | love My
Paul, who was lost"
Laura told the old man her story
and at the conclusion said
He tells me Paul is dead do
not believe him. He has deceived me
on more than one occasion, and he
will do so again If it serves his pur-
pose My heart tells me Paul lives.
My child, that silent monitor is
never wrong. Your Paul lives. He is |
not far away, but he, you and | are in
great peril. We must act with caution
and secrecy or we will all be dead |
before morning. These men are des- |
perate criminals Will you trust me?"
yes, with my life!"
Pretend as If you had heard moth
ing, but be ready to act as | direct"
do you know where Paul is?"
Yes, but he is under a strong
guard. Is there no one with the
train you can trust? No Indian or
Esquimo?"
Il do not understand them nor
they me; but have my trusty SER
want, Ben Holton.'
Where is he?"
He was sent to-day to see if the
pass COULD be opened"
The pass has not been closed"
said the hermit. MY dear daughter,
sending him off was only an excuse to
get your friends out of the way: but
I'll is we'll. Heaven is on your side
md directed me here"
"Humph! Well see about that"
srowled Cummins, rising from his
Knees. They kin put their trust in
What they like, but ii the boss will
ct nae have my way I'll put mine in
lbout ten inches of cold STEEL"
He hurried to Lakeland, who was
lifting on sled, his face expressing
he deepest anxiety. In as few words
IS possible he narrated the interview
'etween the mysterious old man and
laura. Lakeland made several eff
orts to speak before ne finally sue.
eeded, then. in voice strangely I'm.
atural, he ssS:
ut has come at lasti hoped |
,ould be spared hIoodshed, but there
no help for it, Since it must come
1t 1t come. We will do our worst. If
he old man and Paul Miller are in our
'ay, let them diel"
well, there will be little time
} act" {
Il know it" }
Lakeland, who still shrank from the
bought of committing murder him
Elf, began to plan to have his myrmi-
ons do all the work, and agreed very :
eadily to have reinforcements.
Il think it would be well for you to .
art back and get two of the men," a
e said. Cant you do 1t i'm a few a
ours?" s
Yes; on snowshoes | can make it l.
tomorrow noon. Let us leave "
lie valley and start down the trail" L
They had to cross the river to reach
lie trail, but by this time the Yukon G
as frozen over, so they crossed on fl
le ice. Il
They had scarce got over when they K
wv three forms coming along the "
all.
There they are now" said Lack n
nd. a,
The three forms could be seen com Il
htnr mi al 4.