Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-07-21

LIKE A GHOST"
haggard. The smile that came to his
lips as he held out hand to Rowland
gave to his death white face an ap-
pearance even more CHASTITY.
Hello. Jack!' he greeted. whats
the matter, man? Do I look like
ghost?"
what is the matter. Thorne? I
found Gregson half dying at LIE Pas.
and now YOU
Its q wonder you're not reading
my name on 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 I was under it,
Over Thorne's shoulder the young
engineer caught a glimpse of the Cree's
face. A dark fash had shot into his
eyes. His teeth cleaned for an In
slant between his tense lips in some
thing that might have been sneer.
Thorne sat down. rubbing his hands
before the fire.
"We've been unfortunate. Jack" he
said slowly "Gregson and l have had
the worst kind Of luck since the day
we struck this camp. and we're no
longer tit 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 l 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 Rowland. He leaned forward
until his face was close to his COM
panion's. ''Thorne. Is there a man up
here named Croisset or girl called
Meleese?"
He watched the senior engineer
closely. Nothing to confirm bis suspi-
cions came into Thorne's face. Thorne
looked up. little surprised at the
tone Of the others voice.
mot that know of. Jack. Anything
Particular"
..Just word I've got for them-if
they're here" replied Rowland care
lessly. "Are these my quartersT'
...If you like them. When I got hurt
we moved up among the men. Brought
us into closer touch with the working
end. you know" gt
"You and Gregson must have been
laid up about the same time" said the
young engineer. THAT was painful
wound Of Gregson's. wonder who
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 him?" gasped the senior
engineer ''Why-er-didn't Gregson
tell you that it was an accidentT'
"Why should he lie. Thorne?''
A faint flush swept into the Others
pallid face. For a moment there was
a penetrating glare in his eyes as he
looked at Rowland. Jackpine still
stood silent and motionless beside the
stove.
"He told me that it 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 as he rose
to examine It. With his back toward
Thorne he said. half laughing. Per
haps Gregson was afraid that the fell
low who clipped OF his finger would
get him through the window. eh?"
It was 10 o'elcck when Thorne and