Evening star., 1909-09-12

:" But how am going to get down there and
back" said Bostwick. intent upon the need
for haste. " | can't get around without a car
" Don't get tropical, said McCoppet calmly
:" | can get you car IN fifteen minutes. 1t am
SO good as yours; but needed the that
was surest to keep on its legs. If you ain got
anything more your mind, | want to chase
around for a lumberman. friend of mine, be
fore he gets SO drunk cant talk to him.
Bostwlck rose. Arrange for that car to take
me tonight, after dinner. | think that's all
He repaired to his room to attend to a dozen
small affairs, then went more to Beth's
She was not in the least surprised to hear him
say he meant to return to Starlight and to Glen
that night on business of Importance to them
all; but she did not believe him in the least
He remained in the hope of entrapping her into
some sort of self betrayal to what she had
recently done; but without avail. The hour
that he spent at Mrs Dick S was dull for them
both,-dull and distasteful to the girl, growing
rapidly to distrust and hate him; dull and
aggravating to Bostwick with jealousy in
creasing upon him. His one consolation Law in
the fact that in less than two days Van Buren,
would be no better than pauper at best, with
scarcely shelter for his head.
ONE of the interesting and vital chapters in
the whole affair meanwhile in McCop-
pets hands and receiving his attention. Trim
mer had been captured far more sober than the
gambler could have hoped. The two in
the den once more the lumberman smoking an
excellent cigar as if it had been stick of candy
McCoppet came to his subject promptly
Look here, Larry" he said You know Van
Buren when you see him."
Trimmer glanced up sharply, ready in an in
slant to resent what he felt to partake of the
nature of personal affront Don't git funny,
Opal If ever l fight Van Buren when I'm
sober, III eat him alive. was drunk when he
licked me, and you know it,:
McCoppet leaned back in his chair and half
closed his eyes. Il didn't know but what you'd
like to sober up and lick him.
Trimmer stared, shifted uneasily in his seat
and demanded. "Wheres Where is he att.
=" He's going to Starlight tomorrow, from up
by the reservation, from his claim" impaired
the gambler. If he don't get back for couple
of days. could make it worth your while and
you could cash in for that time he licked you
when you wasn't in condition.
Again Trimmer fdgeted. oh he licked me
fair enough, he said Il admit he's all right
IN scrap. l amt holdin' nothin' ag'in him
Goldite's good enough fer me-"
McCoppet knew the creature afraid to
meet his man; that Trimmer's attack on Van
Buren, once before, had been planned with
much dehberation, had amounted to an am
bush. in point of fact-resulting in disaster to
the bully
Il counted on you to help me, Larry he
said. drumming on the table with his fingers.
" You're the only man of your kind with brains
in all the camp"
Trimmer had smoked his cigar to within an
inch of his mouth. He extinguished the fire
and chewed up the stump voraciously Say"
he suddenly calculated, leaping to his feet and
coming around the table, Il can fix him all
right" and he lowered his voice to raucous
whisper. Barger would give up leg to git
show at Van Buren!"
"Barger?" echoed McCoppet Matt? But
they got him. got EN- all. =
Got nothin'i'' the lumberman calculated
What's the good of all these lyin' papers
when seen Matt myself readin the piece about
him goin back to the penn"
McCoppet rose, went to the window, and re-
turned again. Larry, you're all right" he
said. Where's Barger now?
Trimmer winked. That's his business, and
mine
"All right. that's all right" agreed the gam
bier. "Wouldnt he take it as favor if you
passed him money and the word about
Van Buren's hike to Starlight"
Trimmer got out new cigar. lit up, and be-
gan to smoke as before. " l was goin' to pass
him some of mine" he confessed Yours will
suit me just good
Five hundred ought to help him some, said
the gambler. Come out to the bar
A T dark the lumberman left the camp on
: foot, heading for the mountains. Bost-
wick departed in the borrowed car at eight.