Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-12-01


very nearly upset the boat No harm
was done. however. and ne proceeded
upon his crrund
Having secured accommodation nt the
Vale. hc returned to the Clid. for he
had resolved to see both Randall and
Dillon that night
Silence and solitude roignod every
where. for Muskoka goes early 10 bed.
No sign of human habltatiou Is visible
from the pier. for tie trees hide the
hotel completely
There Is q tiny shed on the pier. and
as Bryce turned In that direction aft
or making fast his boat Ballard Dil.
lon stepped out directly In his path
Il was waiting for YOU" said Dillon.
and the next instant he thrust rcvolv-
cr into Brycc's face I'VE must have
q little talk, bat not here Get back
into the boat
Bryce obcycd because he knew Dil.
Ion. A threat from that man was not
subject to any discount In spite ~
his many weaknesses Of character he
was one who would not display a
weapon in mere bravado. but with the
intent and the nerve to use it,
Bryce got into the boat. and Dillon
followed him. sitting In the stern and
commanding Bryce 10 take the oars.
Now pull" said he and pointed
with the revolver.
\ few strokes brought the boat out
into the sweep of the wind. and she
began TO drive of short at a lively
rate. Bryce looked up at the cifT and
saw the light before the door of Amy's
room.
Il know what you did in New York. q"
said Dillon. 1--WE had word from
there. l know what you've got in your
pocket. Now. | cant afford to have
that evidence delivered to Mr. Ran
dali. I'm in trouble enough already,
but I can smooth ii over. Your story
would put me beyond help"
do you expect me to promise TO be
silentY' asked Bryce and stopped row
ing
Keep on with those oars" said Dill
Ion sternly. but he did not answer the
question.
In flash Bryce saw into the others
mind. His death alone would make
Dillon safe. His silence would not be
secured by promise. but by "A pistol
shot and the waters Of the lake
Bryce looked up at the bright light
on the veranda of the Cliff. and an in
spiratiOn seemed to come from il. He
shaped his course as he had shaped
it before. His life was in Amys
hands. and she did not know it. II
she should extinguish that light his
guide TO safety would be gone
He saw Dillon draw in his breath
His teeth cleaned in the darkness.
revealed by the straining OF the thin
lips.
stop rowing" said he. Give me
those papers" And he stood up in
the boat. with both hands extended
Bryce, knowing that he must be near
the place, rowed on. His eyes were
fixed upon the light
stop. l tell you" commanded Dill
Ion. bending farther forward
The boat struck the rock. \ wave
was under her stern. and she came
down the harder.
Dillon was flung clear beyond Bryce.
He struck heavily upon the rail aud
went over the side. The revolver wa,
discharged. but harmlcssly.
The boat was swept clear of the
ledge and filed. her bow being stove
in. Bryce clung TO her and shouted
to Dillon. who was now diSarmed for
his revolver had fallen into the boat
There was no answer. The man was
strong swimmer, yet he did not rise
to the surface. He must have been
stunned by his .all. for the lake held
him. He was never seen again.
Bryce worked his way to shore with
the swamped craft. lie lacked back
toward the Cliff. ana the bright amp
was still there. but as he gazed II
fickered as If beckoning and then was
quenched. Bryce stood with out
stretched hands. his heart straining at
its moorings. toward that spot.
The Irishman's Rssource.
In his volume Of essays. Dreams
Dead Earnest and Half Jest" Mr.
Coulson Kernahan compares his COM
patriots, the natives of the Green Isle,
with the English:
THAT your Englishman never knows
when he Is beaten Is the veriest plau-
tude. In all the world there is no ma
tionallty which can play losing game
with such desperate doggedness. l
venture to think. however. that the
Irishman-and therein is perhaps
reascz- why he excels in the art of war
is more resourceful. is quicker to
think and quicker to act.
"An Englishman. finding himself IN
corner so tight that any one else would
decide at once that there was nothing
for II but surrender or retreat, says.
Here ! am. and here I'll stick to be
shot at till I'm killed or till relief
comes An Irishman in the same place
would say: It's the mischiefs own
hole I'm in. But wait now! What
way II be getting outT And get out
the Irlshman generally does, for he is
SO resourceful that his resourcefulness
might sometimes be better described
as slipperiness."
The Wizard.