The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1908-12-24
CHAPTER y

/ llcilO Sdlu me- w uaI uHuOIStO
me? l had just settled down comforta-
bly, to view that spout when-pluf
began to lose track O. things and my head
broke. What was it-gas, altitude-T
More likely old Pelee was up to some
thing he preferred you shouldn't see,
said Breen. Il know the racket turned
me sick as a poisoned rat while l was
dragging at your leg. know that the
natives wouldn't venture within two hun
bred yards; also, that you are a mortal
heavy young person.
"And SO you retrieved the fallen under
the guns of the enemy? That was good
of you, Breen. 1t was, indeed"
The natives were pressing in. Darkness
was beginning. Breen was conscious OF
a catch in his throat.
Peter" said Breen quietly, II ran
from you this morning"
You didn't run from me this after
noon, the which is lucky for me. Take a
little touch yourself, old playmate, and
don't get moody. One needs a pal when
one makes such a mussy dumping ground
of good chances. The engaging Mr.. Stem
bridge never did me any harm, and all
that the newspapers could accomplish in
the minds of people at large would move
me to no deeper emotion than to say,
Dear folks be-hanged ="
| Peter, if l hadn't been here, you
would be a good daylight run out on the
decent ocean by this time, with the lady
please don't goad yourself furthe1
Breen. That matter is mine-all mine.
Constable spoke in a low voice. Bree
was bending over him in the dusk. "Yo
didn't force yourself upon me. You didn
even come along by chance. l asked 70
to cruise with me- You volunteered
tell me about yourself. l said it WASH
necessary. This man has a mind, an
he isn't a coward was the conclusion
came to that night, and L haven't see
it to change my opinion"
But the LADY"
yes, the lady has spoken. l am dor
down and out The point
you didn't turn on Pelee's throttle. You
not to blame because I'm a dub of
lover. I'm not on sick report"
You're game, Peter" said Breen
he helped the other into the saddle.
Not game enough to sbduct one frigt
ened little mother-handled girl" Const
BILE replied.
They were riding together down
winding trail, apart from the guides. T
lights of Ajoupa BouIlion were ahea
and the mountain carried on a fright
drumming behind. The coiling masses d
volcanic spume, miles above the craters,
generated its own fire, and, lit in the
flashes, looked like pillows of boiling steel.
Constable was very weak. and Breen rode
upon sheer nerye-nerve that men had
often wondered at.
Peter he said at length, you are
not through trying to get the lady out of
this?'
ITO think that such tone and such |
a question could come from the. implaca
bic Stembridge' :" Constable said, with
laugh.
The 'implacable Stembridge' was never
crucified before" Breen answered. ITO |
you and me, together, it does not vastly |
matter that l am Stembridge, one of the
bigger wolves. But others have come in.
Because | am here, you stand dazed to-
night your heart torn out. Because |
am here, you went up to the mouth of
that horrible pit to-day, and lay down to
die. l have played with men and women.
Peter, but | never wrecked a white man
before, or broke the heart of a friend"
A hand stretched across the dark and
fell upon Breen's arm and frightened
there. II know how you feel; but what
would you have me do?" Constable NUT
tered.
when l see a wisp of smoke on the
horizon, and know that you and the lady
and the Madame are wrapped in it"
For four days l have been dreaming
that dream, Breen."
1T must come true this night There
will have been a reaction. Go there to-
aight Speak to her alone Tell her how
you came to know mellow men look at
these things-that the newspaper story
was as new to you as to herself. Tell
Ter of your trip to Peiee. and how the
disorder they see and hear down in the
,ity looks up there at first hand !"
1t was at this instant that full-rigged
bought sprang into Breen's brain, which
lad known but the passing of hopeless
lerelicts throughout the day. BE dared
lot trust the thought to words, lest the
,ther should cancel it, but be called to
he guides to increase the pace.
"Ah, she would not listen to words of :
nine" Constable answered hopelessly. IF .
he had any faith in me, words would not !
e necessary. A man knows when he is
eaten. have drawn my little quietus ?
or one day. Tomorrow"
There may not be any tomorrow for
,aint Pierre"
.'Of course. For that matter, we might !
e boiled out like a pair of tater-bugs +
efore we can pick up a snack in Ajoupa
Ioullion. Then, again, the people may q
e right, and l a frenzied alarmist Pc !
ee is throwing of pressure true and ;
teady as a clock running down. 1t may :
e that he'll relieve his crowded cham )
ers this way"
Such words, more than anything that
ad passed. revealed the extent of Con
-able's reaction. They were entering
joupa Boullion, where food and fresh il
counts were procurable. a
Its probably better for her that she \
ID not give herself to me-" Constable "
1served. when they were in the saddle
gain. His mind was deepening the bitter
-ooye now Wen put all this behind 5,
) presently, Breen. We're mates,
less"
This is our last ride together, Peter.