The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-03-22
HAD NOT NORA SHOT THE
BEAR THE STORY MIGHT
BE DIFFERENT.

A stranger in a strange land and
separated from her companions she
had not the slightest knowledge of
her whereabouts.
Suddenly the horse stopped and
began to tremble violently. Look
ing about for the cause she saw
about 200 yards ahead the figure Of
man kneeling and farther on a
huge grizzly bear with two cubs.
Almost Immediately a shot rang
out, followed by a second. The huge
beast staggered and fell, but rose
again with a terrific roar Of rage
and pain. Before the man had time
to reload, the bear was shuffling
over the ground at rapid pace.
Closing his eyes, he waited for
death. Then suddenly two shots
rang out in rapid succession, and
with a roar of agony the bear
dropped, and a few yards away
stood the girl with a smoking gun
in her hand.
The man turned his head and
stared curiously at his deliverer.
Guess owe you a life. May I
ask your manner"
81 am Nora Swinton and staying
at Claxton's farm. A party of us
came out shooting this morning
but got separated from them and
have lost my way"
"My name is Derek Hamburg,
wanderer on the face of the earth
Guess I am in a bad way; left leg
and right arm both racked, besides
a few claw wounds"
| Half an hour later Derek Ham
burg was comfortably housed al
Claxton's farm, where his injuries
received more careful attention
and Nora Swinton insisted upon as
Stunning the role of nurse.
Then it was they told each other
their stories. She said:
81 am the only child of Sir Miles
Swinton, of Swinton Manor. Sur
rey, which, of course you know, is
in England"
"Well, I'm Derek Hamburg, a mil
lionaire in dollars. When I was Is
years of age had brother. Jack
was 10 years my senior, but the
bond of friendship between us was
as strong as steel bands. We were
orphans, and he sent me to a good
school while he went to Australia
to try his luck at the gold diggings
''He had partner, man named
Martin Craik, and after varying
fortune they struck it rich - sc
rich that in a few months they
were made for life; and then Jack
sent for me.
when I reached Australia and
made my way up to Ballaroo
found my brother with bullet
through his lungs and half an houI
afterward he died in my arms. /,
appears that after Jack and Martin
Craik had made their pile they both
fell in love with Carrie Cross, the
daughter of a rancher in the dis
trict. Then the two partners quar-
relied and agreed to settle their dis
pute with revolvers.
"a nice duel it was. The two
went into the bush. 1t was agreed
to stand back to back. Each was
to walk 10 PAGES, turn around and
fire. My brother took two steps
and got shot in the back"
"Oh! Coward"
you are right; that's Martin
Craik. Over my brothers body
took an oath never to rest until
found his murderer. That was &c
years ago, and I am searching yet
And when you find him."
Guess he dies, or | do"
One day Derek said to her:
"And you will marry me, Nora?'
mo, Derek; | cannot promise
that, unless you can assure me that
you have given up your idea of seek
ing vengeance for your brothers
death"
So they parted. and six weeks
later Nora landed in England.
"And what of this great adven
ture of yours, you wrote about?'
asked her father, after joyful wei
come-"about shooting a bear and
saving a mans life?"
"It's true, Dad, just as told you
love him dearly. Dad, but | can
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