The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1911-12-21
CHAPTER v. (contInued).

CHAPTER v. (contInued).
Suddenly Rutton started and wheel
ed round, every trace of excitement
smoothed away. Meeting Ambers
gaze he nodded as If casually, and
said, "Oh, Amber" quietly, with an
effect of faint surprise. Then he
dropped heavily into chair by the
table.
WELL" he said slowly, that is
over"
Amber, without speaking, went to
his side and touched his shoulder with
that pitifully inadequate gesture Of
sympathy which men so frequently
employ.
Il killed him." said Rutton duly
Yes" replied Amber He was not
surprised; he had apprehended the
tragedy from the moment that Rutton
had fed him.
After bit Rutton turned to the
table and drew an automatic pistol
from his pocket, opening the maya
zine. Five cartridges remained in
the clip, showing that two had been
exploded. II was not sure" he said
thoughtfully, 'how many times had
hred.' His curiosity satisfied, he re-
loaded the weapon and returned it to
his pocket. 'He died like dog" he
said, "whimpering and disappearing
In the face Of eternity out
there in the cold and the night. +.
It was sickening- sound OF the
bullets tearing through his flesh. -
He shuddered.
Didn't he resist?" Amber asked in
voluntarily.
"He tried to. I let him pop away
with his revolver until it was empty.
what made you waltz"
II didn't care; it didn't matter. One
Of us had to die tonight; he should
have known that when I refused to
accompany him back to
was hungry for his bullet more than
for his life; gave him every chance.
But 1t had to be as it was. That was
Fate"
With a wrench Amber pulled him
self together. "Rutton." he demanded
suddenly, without generalization,
what are you going to do?"
dor" Rutton looked up. his eyes
perplexed. why, what is there to do?
Get away as best I can. I presume
seek another hole to hide in"
But how about the law"
"The law? Why need it ever be
known-what has happened tonight I?
can count on your silence I have
no need to ask. Doggott would die
rather than betray me. He and 1 can
dispose Oft. No one comes here
at this time of the year save hunting
parties; and their eyes are not upon
the ground. You will go your way in
the morning. Well clear out i'm
mediately after"
you'd better take no chances"
Suddenly Rutton smote the table
with his fist. "By Indur!" he swore
strangely, his voice quavering with
Joy; II had not thought of that" He
Jumped up and began to move excited
ly to and fro. II am free! None but
you and know Of the passing of the
Token and the delivery Of the mes
sage-none can possibly know for
days, perhaps weeks. For so much
time at least am in no danger Of"
He shut his mouth like trap on
words that might have enlightened
Amber.
"Of what?"
Let me see: there are still waste
places in the world where a man
may lose himself There's Canada
the Hudson bay region, Labrador
A discreet knock sounded on the
door in the partition. and it was open
ed gently. Doggott appeared on the
threshold, pale and careworn. Rut-
ton paused. facing him.
"Well?"'
ANY orders, sir?"
YES; begin packing up. We leave
tomorrow"
Very good, sir"
Rutton replenished the fire and
stood with his back to it, smiling al
most happily. All evidence of remorse
had disappeared "Free!" he cried soft
ly. "And by the simplest of solutions.
Strange that I should never have
thought before tonight Of" He
glanced carelessly toward the win
dow; and it was as If his lips had
been wiped clean Of speech.
Amber turned. thrilling, his flesh
creeping with the horror that he had
OWNED in Rutton's transfixed gaze.
Outside the glass, that was lightly
silvered with frost, something moved