The Washington times., 1908-05-31
CHAPTER XIX.
TIE HAND OF ASA CRAIG

TEE han - AyL A@ta%@ 1900
No one had known that Henry
weaver died In possession OF a tract
Of land for the reason that the lama
in question was situated just across
the border OF the State. and, therefore
nothing could possibly appear on the
records IN the section where he nao
lived ana met his end Now, however
there was no opposition 70 the carry
probation OF the viii, and all who
knew Of its terms were glad for Atlie
Dummy and Sylvia
asa Craig. made all important by
the document had not appeared az
Tamaracz. nor did he seem disposed To
come and meet the little ward. Tho
Will 90 him. meant very much more
than any more feeling OF foster-pare1t-
hood-it meant something verys near
70 ownership IN umbered acreage or
very great value indeed.
No sooner had the man become
aware Of the metes and bounds OF IN
land entrusted to his keeping than he
realized what 8 force 1t lent TO his
own heretofore somewhat helpless pos
ition. In connection with the proper
ties owned and operated by himself
and Jerry Kirk. this new acquisition
was exceedingly important.
The man had always been shrewd,
scheming, and dangerous In his bust
ness association with Jerry He had
taken powers unto himself insidiously,
building up his strength at every turn,
T. make himself the master Of the
enterprise they had brought into be-
ing together. He had previously reach
NJ
and Jerry had seen and blocked his
game, but only by the weight or great
q. possessions IA the C0mpauys lands
and assets. Now the tide had sud
denly turned. and Craig as sole trus-
tee over al the Weaver holdings, let
his new--found force lie uususpecJed
while ne cautiously fOstered his plans.
Craig was a busy dominant figure
at the ATinsite plant. A sawmiu here
was running day and night; pair or
small locomotives ran back and forth
from the timber lands rundling cars
with monster logs, 20 be reduced TO
lumber: and a force Of men and teams
worked ceaseIessIy TO fetch IN fuel
wood from many O. mountain fastness'
while always a gang was toihng 10
feed both wood and lumber to the
hume. iu which It scudded swiftly
down 20 Tamarack. below.
There were two men only Of all the
busy horde al Auusite camp who had
no fear OF Asa Craig. one was 5erry
the second. Allan Kennedy.
The Others-foremen. teamsJers, en-
efaesrs, and common labCrers-dread-
eE the man of iron purpose. and knew
him only for a fierce. sharp-spoken,
nasterfuI device of energy and keen
ness. who was everywhere al once,
alert as a panther and quick as a
hawk to see and pounce upon fall
ing.
Therefore. when no disappeared one
dav after all the court proceedings re-
garding the viii had been completed
there was no rejoicing. but only vague
unrest concerning what his mission
might imply.
He was gone three days. and when
he came again 10 his place certain
glitter had developed I'm his eyes that
BODIED no good for any man about.
During his absence Allan Kennedy had
been exceptionally busy. Indeed. since
that short vacation time. spent at
Tamarack on account of little Dun
ny's escapade and resulting Illness Al
lan's DAYS had been $50 closely gu
pied that he could not visit Sylvia, not
even for a Sunday.
A clever man at business himself,
and enjoying an intimate knowledge
OF the lumber industry in an its var
ious aspects. Allan filled an important
place in the companys affairs. over
seeing hundred details. branching
out too widely for Craig himself to
follow. Tie was Craig's own man and
even Jerry kirk had nothing 20 say
concerning bis employment
To-day when Craig appeared un-x-
pectedIy az his post. Kennedy wIs
summoned To his presence. He enter
ed the office brislzly. noting al once
q subtle change. suggestive OF iuCreas-
ing force and confidence. come upon
his chict
Craig was q man or medium height
He was slender. and neatly dressed in
black His hair was white as snow.
ms flce cIean-shaven and firm Thus
far he might have been commonplace
enough. His eyes. however were the
coolest gray. deeply set in his head
under overEanginE brows as bushy IS
mustacbes and white as his hair while
his nose suggested am eagles beak
The Width of his jaws. the strength OF
his chin and the tbiuness of his lips
Served To emphasize a c0unteuance IS
stern as one is likely TO imagine.
"Eennedy-how's everythingg" he
"a o q Ef6hH