Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-23


titles Of food, which he devoured raw,
enously, bumped over in his seat like
a bear, his jaw hanging close to his
plate. His appetite was as ungoverned
as his temper; he did not taste his
meal nor note It's character, but de-
molished whatever fell first to his
hand, staring curiously up from under
his matched brows at Emerson, now
and then grunting some interruption
to the others rapid talk. OF Cherry and
of 'Fingerless" Fraser, who regarded
him with awe, he took not the slight
est heed. He gorged himself with suf-
ficient provender for four people; then
observing that the board was empty,
swept the crumbs and remnants from
his lips, and rose, saying:
Now, let's go out by the stove, I've
been cold for three days"
1 Cherry left the two of them there,
and long after she had gone to bed
she heard the murmur Of their voices.
"It's all arranged" they advised
her at the breakfast table. 1--WE leave
tomorrow"
, Tomorrow" she echoed, blankly.
Tomorrow" likewise questioned
Fraser, in alarm. ooh, say! You can't
do that. My feet are too sore to travel.
I've certainly got a bad pair of dogs .
1--WE start in the morning. We have
no time to waste"
Cherry turned to the fisherman,
"You can't get ready so soon, George
I'm ready now" answered the bis
fellow
She felt sudden dread at her heart
What if they failed and did not return.
What If some untoward peril should
overtake them on the outward trip?
1t was hazardous journey and George
Bait was the most reckless man on the
Behring coast. She cast frightened
glance at Emerson. but none Of the
men noticed it. Even If they had OBJ.
served the light that had come into
those clear eyes they would not have
known it for the dawn of a new love
any more than she herself realized
what her reasonless fears betokened.
She had little time to ponder, however,
for Emersons next words added to
her alarm:
.'We'll catch the mail boat at Kat
mai"
|, "Katmai?" she broke in, sharply
You said you were going by the III
anna route"
"The other is shorter"
She turned on Dalt, angrily. "You
know better than to suggest such a
thing"
Il didn't suggest It," said Bait. cts
Mr. Emerson's own idea; he insists
I'm for the long, safe proposition
every time" Fraser announced, rs II
settling the matter definitely, languid
ly filling his pipe.
Boyd's voice broke in CURLY upon
his revery. You're not going with
u.s."
1.-THE hell ANTI" exploded the
other. why not?"
stand-it's hard travelling with three.
ooh, see here now, pal! You prom
1sed to take me to the States the adj
venturer demurred. "You wouldn't
slough me at this gravel-pit after you
promised?" He was visibly alarmed.
Very WE'LL" said Emerson, resign
eddy. IF you feel that way about it.
come along; but won't take you east
of Seattle"
Seattle amt so bad,' Fraser re-
piled. Il guess can pick UP a pinch
OF change there, all right But Kalvik
why do you have to go so soon?'
Cherry asked Emerson, when the two
others had left them.
Because every day counts"
"But why the Katmai route? tie
the stormy season, and you may have
to wait two weeks for the mail boat
1ffar vOlI roooh tho nocf
yes, but on the other hand, IL we
should miss it by day, it would mean
a months delay. She ought to be due
in about ten days, SO we can't take any
chances"
II shall be dreadfully worried until
I know you are safely over" said the
girl new note Of wistful tenderness
in her voice.
Nonsense! We've all taken bigger
risks BEFORE"
do you know" she began, hesitat
ingly, 1--WE been thinking that perhaps
you'd better not take up this enter.
prise, after ALL
why not?" he asked, with an in.
credulous stare. Il thought you were
enthusiastic on the subject"
dln ---l--DcllSVS III LnS pTOpOSlClOIl
thoroughly" Cherry limped on, "but-
we'll, was entirely selfish in getting
you started, for it possibly means my
own salvation, but
TITS my last chancee, Also" Boyd
broke in. That's only another reason
for you to continue, however. Why
have you suddenly weakened?"
Because see you don't realize
what you are going into" she said
desperately. Because you don't appre
ciate the character of the men you will
clash with. There is actual physical
peril attached to this undertaking, and
Marsh won't hesitate TOTO do any.
thing under the sun to balk you. 1t
isn't worth while risking your life for
a few dollars"
"Oh,, isn't it," Emerson laughed a
trifle harshly. my dear girl, you don't
know what l am willing to risk for
those few dollars; you don't know
what success means to me. Why, II ]
don't make this thing win, I'll be per.
fectly willing to let Marsh wreak his
vengeance upon mel might even help
him."
"Oh MOI"
"You NAV rest assured of one thing,