The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-09-13

Cherry Malotte, coming down to the cannery on her daily visit, saw Willis Marsh and MT. Wayland leaving it. Wondering, she hurried into the main building in search of Boyd. The place was as busy as when she had left 1t on the afternoon before, and she saw that the men had been at work all night. Many of them were sprawled in corners, where they had sunk from weariness, snatching a moments rest before the boss kicked them back to their posts. The Chinese hands were stoically performing their tasks, their yellow faces haggard with the strain. At the butcher1ng tables yesterdays crew were still sitting, slashing, hack ing at the pile of fish that never seem ed to grow less. Some of them were giving up, staggering away to their hunks, while others with more vitality had stood so long in. the slime and salt drip that their feet had sweIled, and it had become necessary to cut off their shoes.
 Boyd was standing in the door of the office. In few words he told her of MT. Wayland's threat.
 FsDo you think he can injure the com pany?" she inquired anxious1y.
 "I haven't a doubt of it. He can work very serious harm at least"
 ''TeH me, why did he turn against you so suddenly? What made Miss Wayland angry with youW
 "II would rather not" 7
 ''Why? I'm your partner, and | ought to be told. You and George and I will have to work together closer than ever now. Don't let's begin by concealing anything z "WelI. perhaps you had better know the whole thing" said Boyd slowly. 'sdildred does not like you Her fla fher's mind has been poisoned by Marsh. It seems they resent our friendship. They believe all sorts of things.''
 .so I am the cause of your trouble after a1l.'' ss
 eThey blame me equally more than you. It seems that Marsh made an in- uuiry into your-wel. your life history and he babbled all the gossip he heard to them. Of course they be- neved it, not knowing you as I do, and they misunderstood odr friendship. But can explain. and shall, to Mill dred. Then I shall prove Marsh 2 liar. Perhaps I can show MT. Way land that he was in the wrong. It's our only hope.''
 what did Marsh say about me2'' asked the girl
 She was pale to the lips.
 ssHe said a lot of things that at any other time would have made him swallow on the spot. But it's only a pleasure deferred. With your help I'll do it in their presence. I don't like to tell you this, but the truth is vital to us all, and I want to arm myself
 Cherry was silent.
 s'You may leave it to me,'f he said gently. .'I wifi see that Marsh sets you right.''
 There is nothing to set right,s' said the girl wearily. Marsh told the truth, dare say"
 'The truth. My God! You don't know what you're saying"
 stYes, I do.'' She returned his look of shocked horror with. half hearted defiance ssYou must have known who I am. Fraser knew, and he must have told you You knew had followed the mining camps, Ton knew had lived by my wits Y ou must have l known what people thought of me. cast my lot in with the people of this country, and had to match my wits with those of every man met. Some times won, sometimes did not You know the north"
 'sI didn't know" he said slowly. ssT never thought wouldn't allow my 1 self to think
 CHAPTER XXI