Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-10-26

certainty Int poise-who was sheg
Where did she come from, and what in
the world was she doing here?
He became aware that ~"Fingerless"
Fraser was making the i~ntroductions.
"This is Mr.. Emerson; my name is
French. I'm one of the Virginia
Trenches, you know; perhaps you have
heard of them. No? Well, they're the
real thing"
The girl bowed, but Emerson fore
stalled her Acknowledgement by break
ing In roughly, with a threatening
scowl at the adventurer:
"His name isn't French at al
madam: it's Fraser-'Fingerless' Fras-
err. He's an utterly worthless rogue
and absolutely unreliable so far as ]
can learn. I picked him up on the ice
in Norton sound. with a marshal at his
heels"
THAT marshal wasn't after me-
stoutly denied Fraser, quite u~nabashed.
"Why, he's a friend of mine-we're
regular chums-everybody knows that
He wanted to give me some papers 20
take outside, that's all"
Boyd shrugged his shoulders indiffer-
entity:
"Warrants!"
mot at all! Not at ALL" airily.
Their hostess, greatly amused at this
remarkable turn of the ceremony, pre-
vented any further argument by say
ing:
well French or Fraser, whichever
It is, you are both welcome. However,
I should prefer to think of you as c
runaway rather than as an intimate
friend of the marshal at Nome; / hap
pen to know him."
"Well we amt what you'd exactly
call pals Fraser hastily disclaimed.
II just sort of bow to him"-he gave
an imitation of a slight, Indifferent
Northumberland wayi"
~ see,' commented their hostess,
quizzically; then recalling herself. she
continued: II should have made my
self known before: / am Miss Malotte.'
"Ch-" began the crook. then shut his
lips abruptly, darling a shrewd glance
at the girl. Emerson saw their eyes
meet, and fancied that the woman's
smile sat a trihe u~nnaturally on her
lips. while the delicate coloring of her
face changed im~rerceptibly. AS the
fellow mumbled some acknowledgment,
she turned to the younger man, In
quiring impersonally:
81 D you are bound for the
States"
Yes: we intend to catch the mail
boat at Katmai. / am taking Fraser
along for company; it's hare travel
ing alone in a strange country. He's
a nuisance. but he's rather amusing
at times"
81 certainly am" agreed that cheer
full person, now fully at his ease. "Pve
a bad memory for names!"-he looked
aueerly at his hostess-'but I'm very
amusing, very!"
mot very" corrected Emerson.
Then they talked of the trail, the
possibilities of securing SUPPLIES, and OF
hiring a guide. By-and-by the girl
rose, and after showing them to a
room, she excused herself on the score
! Of having to see to the dinner. Whe,,
she had withdrawn. "FingerlessI
Fraser pursed his thin lips into a
noiseless whistle. then observed:
"Well Ill-be-cussed!!"
who is she?" asked Emerson, in
a low. eager tone. DO you know
"You heard. didn't YOU? She's Miss
Malotte, and she's certainly some con-
siderable lady"
The same look that Emerson had
noted when their hostess introduced
herself to them fitted again into the
crooks unsteady eyes.
Eyes, but who is she? What does
this mean?" Emerson pointed to the
provisions and fittings about them.
what is she doing here alone?'
Maybe you'd better ask her your
self" said Fraser.
For the first time in their brief ac-
quaintance. Emerson detected a strange
note in tho rogue's voice, but it was
too slight to provoke reply, so he
brushed 1t aside and prepared him
self for dinner.
The Indian girl summoned them, and
they followed her through the long
p~assageway into the other house,
where, to their utter establishment.