Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-07-25

DEADLY SHORT ARM PUNCH.
ayes, IT,"
"And that IT, Jean was strain.
ing against the table.
1T rests with you. Croisset. ! will
bargain with you. Either shall take
you back to the Wekusko. hand you
over to the authorities and send force
after the others or you shall take me to
Meleese. Which shall It be?'
"And II I take you to Meleese.
m'seurT
Rowland Strengthened. his voice trem.
bling q little with excitement.
"lf you take me to Meleese and swear
to do Us | say shall bring no harm to
you or your friends"
"And Meleese"-- Jeans eyes dark
ened again. You will not harm her.
m'seur?"
Harm her, There was laughing
tremor in Howlund's voice. Good
God. man. are you so blind that you
can't see that ! am doing this because
Of herr l tell you that love her and
that I am willing to die In fighting for
her. Until now haven't had the
chance. You and your friends have
played cowardly underhand game.
Croisset. You have taken ME from be-
hind at every move. and now It's up to
you to square yourself little. On
derstand? You take me to Meleese or
there'll be q cleanup thut will put you
and the Whole bunch out Of business.
Harm herr Again Rowland laughed,
leaning his white face toward Jean.
"Come, which shall It ne. Croisset"
"You are mistaken In some things.
m'seur," Croisset said quietly. Until
today have fought for you and not
against you. But now you have left
me but one choice. I will take you to
Meleese, and that means
"Good! cried Rowland.
la. la. m'seur. not so good rs you
think. It means that as surely as the
dogs carry us there you will never
come back. Mon Dieu. your death IL
certainr'
Rowland turned briskly to the stove.
"Hungry, jean" he asked more COM
panionably. Lets not quarrel, man
You've had your fun. and now I'm 60
Ing to have mine. Have you had
breakfast2'
II was anticipating that pleasure
with you, m'seur." replied Jean, with
grim humor.
"And then, after / had fed you, you
were going to kill me. my dear Jean,"
laughed Rowland. Topping a huge carl
bou steak on the naked top Of the sheet
iron stove "Real nice fellow you are.
ehT
You ought to be killed, m'seur."
"so you've said before. When I see
Meleese I'm going to know the reason
why orr
"Or what, m'seur"
xiii you, Jean. I've just about made
up my mind that you ought to be Kill
ed. II any one dies up where we're go
Ing, Croisset, 1t will be you first OF all"
Jean remained silent. A few minutes
later Howland brought the caribou
steak, q dish Of nour cakes and a big
Dot Of coffee to the table. Then he
went behind Jean and united bis hands.
When he sat down at his own side OF
the table he cooked his revolver and
placed 1t beside bis tin plate. Jean
grimaced and shrugged bis shoulders.
1T means business" said his captor
warningly. "If at any time ! think you
deserve It I shall shoot you In your
tracks, Croisset. 80 don't arouse my
suspicious"
II took your word Of honor" said
Jean sarcastically.
"And l will take yours to an extent"
replied Rowland, pouring the coffee.
Suddenly he picked up the revolver.
"You never saw me shoot. did you2
See that cup over thereT He pointed
to a small tin pack cup hanging to
nail on the wall dozen PAGES from
them. Three times without missing lie
drove bullets through It and smiled
ncross at Cr0isset.
II am going to give you the use of
your arms and legs except at night"
he said.
Mon Dieu. II is safer grunted Jean.
II give you my word that I will be
good. m'seur."
The sun was up when Croisset led
the way outside. His dogs and sledge
were a hundred yards from the build.
Ing. and Howlapd's frst move Yves to