Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-07-04
WHATS THE MATTER, MAN2 DO LOOK
LIKE A aHosT2"
NNEAEN>

LIKE A GHosTW
haggard. The smile that came to bis
lips as he held out hand to Howland
gave to his death white face an ap-
pearance even more ghastly.
"Hello, Jackr' he greeted. whats
the matter, man? Do I look like a
ghost?"
"What is the matter, Thorne? I
found Gregson half dying at LIE Pas,
and now YOU
"It's wonder you're not reading
my name on q little board slab instead
of seeing yours truly in flesh and
blood, jack" laughed Thorne nervous
". "a ton Of rock. mana ton Of
rock, and was under it!'
Over Thorne's shoulder the young
engineer caught a glimpse Of the Cree's
face. A dark flash had shot into his
eyes. His teeth cleaned for an in
slant between his tense lips in some
thing that might have been a sneer.
Thorne sat down, rubbing his hands
before the fire.
"We've been unfortunate, Jack" he
said slowly. "Gregson and have had
the worst kind Of luck since the day
we struck this camp, and we're no
longer fit for the job. 1t will take US
six months to get on our feet again.
You'll find everything here in good
condition. The line is blazed straight
to the bay. We've got 300 good men,
plenty Of supplies, and so far as
know you'll not find disaffected hand
on the Wekusko. Probably Gregson
and will take hold Of the LIE Pas
end of the line in the spring. It's GER
tainly up to you to build the roadway
to the bay"
"I'm sorry things have gone badly"
replied Howland. He leaned forward
until his face was close to his COM
panion's. "Thorne, Is there a man up
here named Croisset or a girl called
Meleese?"
He watched the senior engineer
closely. Nothing to confirm his suspi-
cions came into Thorne's face. Thorne
looked up, a little surprised at the
tone of the others voice.
"Not that know Of. Jack. Anything
PARTICULAR" -.
"Just a word I've got for them-if
they're here" replied Rowland care
lessly. "Are these my quarters"
"If you like them. When got hurt
we moved up among the men. Brought
us into closer touch with the working
end, you know"
"You and Gregson must have been
laid up about the same time" said the
young engineer. 'That was painful
wound Of Gregson's. I wonder VINO
the deuce it was who shot him? Funny
that a man like Gregson should have
an enemy"
Thorne sat up with jerk. There
came the rattle Of pan from the
stove, and Rowland turned his head
in time to see Jackpine staring at him
as though he had exploded a mine
under his feet
"Who shot himT gasped the senior
engineer. "Why-er-didn't Gregson
tell you that 1t was an accident"
"Why should he lie, Thorne?"
A faint flush swept into the others
pallid face. For q moment there was
a penetrating glare in his eyes as he
looked at Howland. Jackpine still
stood silent and motionless beside the
stove.
ale told me that 1t was an accident"
said Thorne at last.
"Funny." was all that Rowland said.
For the first time Rowland noticed
that the thin muslin curtain. which he
thought had screened window. con-
cealed, In place Of window, care
fully fitted barricade Of plank. A sud
den thrill shot through him MS he rose
to examine 1t. With his back toward
Thorne he said. half laughing. per
haps Gregson was afraid that the fel-
low who clipped of his finger would
get him through the window, eh!"
II was 10 o'clock when Thorne and
Jackpine left the cabin. No sooner
had they gone than Rowland closed
and barred the door, lighted another
cigar and began pacing rapidly up and
down the room. Already there were
developments. Gregson had lied to
him about his finger. Thorne had lied
10 him about his own injuries. what.
ever they were. He was certain OF
these two things-and Of more. The
two senior engineers were not leavins
the Wekusko because Of mere dissa0s
faction with the work and country.
They were fleeing and for some rea'
son they were keeping from him the
real motive for their fight. Was II
POSSIBLE that they were deliberately
sacrificing him in order to save them
selves? He could not bring himself
to believe this, Notwithstanding tbs
evidence against them. Both were
rlen Of irreproachable honor.
He was tired from his long day'i
travel, but little inclination to sleep
came to him. and, stretching himself