The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-06-14
CHAPTER xllI.-Contlnued.

The one difficulty was to reach the
lower branches. She could hardly
touch them with her f1nger-tips. But
her barbaric costume must have in
spired her. She listened for a mo-
ment, and hearing no sound to indicate
the return of the men, clasped the
upper side Of the trunk with her
hands and knees, and made an en-
ergetic attempt to climb. The posture
was far from dignified, but the girls
eyes sparkled with satisfaction as she
found herself slowly mounting.
When, flushed and GREATNESS, she
gained foothold among the branches,
she looked down at the ground, and
permitted herself merry little giggle
such as she had not INDUCED in since
leaving boarding-school She had
actually climbed a tree! She would
show Mr.. Blake that she was not so
helpless as he fancied.
At the thought, she clambered on
up, finding that the branches made
convenient steps. She did not look
back. and the screen of treetops be-
giddiness. As her head came above
the level OF the cliff, she peered
through the foliage, and saw the sig
mailbag far over near the end of the
headland. The big piece of white
duck stood out bravely against the
blue sky. all the more conspicuous for
the flocks of frightened seafowl which
wheeled above and around it.
Surprised that she did not see the
men, Miss Leslie started to draw her
self up over the cliff edge. She
heard Winthrope's voice few yards
away to her left. A sudden realization
that the Englishman might consider
her exploit Inbred caused her to sink
back out of sight.
She was hesitating whether to de-
scend or to climb on up, when Win
thrope's peevish whine was cut short
by loud and angry retort from Blake.
Every word came to the girls ears
with the force of blow.
You do. do you? Well, I'd like to
know where in hell you come in. She's
not your sister, nor your mother, nor
your aunt. and If she's your sweet
heart. you've both been damned close
mouthed over it."
|. There was an irritable, rasping
murmur from Winthrope, and again
came Blake's loud retort. Look here.
young man. don't you forget you called
me cad once before. l can stand a
good deal from a sick man; but I'll
give 1t to you straight, you'd better cut
that out, Call me brute or a savage,
II that'll let on your steam; but, un-
derstand, I'm none of your English
kinds"
Again Winthrope spoke, this time
In fretful whine.
Blake replied with less anger:
That's SO; and I'm going to show you
that I'm the real thing when 1t comes
to being a sport. Give you my word,
ri make no move till you're through
the fever and on your legs again.
What I'll do then depends on my own
sweet will, and don't you forget it. I'm
not after her fortune. It's the lady
herself that takes my fancy. Remem-
| VOi NAut Sdlu " yOu WHICH, yOu Ndllcu
me a cad the other time. You had
your turn aboard ship. Now can do
as please; and that's what I'm going
to do, If have to kick you over the
cliff end first, to shut off your pesky
Interference"
The girl crouched back into the
withered foliage, dazed with terror.
Again she heard Blake speak. He had
dropped into a bitter sneer.
mo chance? It's no nerve, yon
mean. You could brain me, easy
enough, any night-just walk up with
q club when I'm asleep. Trouble is.
you're like most other under dogs
'fraid that II you licked your boss,
there'd be no soup bones. So I guess
r,a slated to stay boss of this colony
| grand Poo Bah and Mikado, all in
me Understand? You mind your
| own business, and don't so to inter-
| sering with me any more! 3.