The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1911-08-03
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Sl COPYRIGHT 1910 %y,
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That Meleese loved him, that she hat
kissed him. was the one consuming
thought in Howland's brain for many
minutes after she had left him bounC
and gagged on the snow. That she had
made no effort 10 free him did not al
first strike him as significant. He still
felt the sweet, warm touch of her lips
the pressure of her arms, the smother
until he again heard approaching
sounds that he returned once more to
full consciousness Of the mysterious
thing that had happened. He heard
first of all the creaking of toboggan
on the hard crust. then the pattering
of dogs feet and after hat the voices
of men. The sounds stopped on the
trail dozen feet away from him.
With strange thrill he recognized
CToisset's voice.
You must be sure that you make
no mistake" he heard the half breed
say go to the waterfall at the head
of the lake and heave down a big rock
|
boiling. Track up the snow with a
pair of Mseur HOwand's high heeled
boots and leave his hat tangled in the
bushes. Then tell the superintendent
that he stepped on the stone and that
it rolled down and toppled him into
the chasm. They could never find his
body. and they will send down for
new engineer in place Of the lost
monsieur"
Stupefied with horror. Rowland
the cold blooded scheme which he was
overhearing. but the voices grew low
er. and he understood no more that
was said until CroisSet, coming nearer,
called out:
Help me with the monsieur before
you go, ,Tackpine. He is dead weight
| with all those rawhides about him"
AS coolly as though he were not
more than a chunk of stovewood
! Croisset and the Indian came through
the bushes. seized him by the head
and feet. carried him out into the
trail and laid him lengthwise on the
slPdge.
II hope you have not caught cold
lying in the snow. m'seur." said Crois-
set. bolstering up the engineers head
and shoulders and covering him with
heavy furs. I'VE should have been
back sooner, but it was impossible.
Hoo-la, Woongq" he called softly to
81 ut fbppn wolf
hound
As the sledge started with Croisset
running close to the leader. Rowland
heard the low swapping of whip be-
hind him and another voice urging on
other dogs With an effort that almost
disIocated his neck he twisted himself
so he could look back to him. A hun
dred yards away he discerned second
team following in his trail: he saw a
shadowy figure running at the head OF
the dogs. but what there was on the
sledge, or what 1t meant. he could not
see or surmise. Mile after mile the two
s!edges continued without stop.
Croisset did not turn his head; no word
fell from his lips, except an occasional
signal to the dogs. The trail had
turned now straight into the north. and
soon Rowland could make out no
sign of it. but knew only that they
were twisting through the most open
places in the forests, and that the
play of the polar lights was never over
his left shoulder or his right, but al
ways IN his face.
They had travelled for several hours
when Croisset gave sudden shrill
shout to the rearmost sledge and halt
ed his own. The dogs fell in painting
group on the snow, and while they
were resting the half breed relieved his
prisoner OF the soft buckskin that had |
been used as gag.
at will he perfectly safe for you to
talk now. m'Seur. and to shout as loud |
~ as you please" he said. After |
have looked into your pockets | will |
free your hands so that you can smoke.
Are you comfortable"
comfortable cursed" were the
first words that fell from Howlands
lips, and his blood boiled at the soci-
1Dle way Ill WHICH NlplHSel ShihhVt
down into his face. $50 you're in it,
too. Ell? And that lying girl
The smile left Croisset's face.
"Do you mean Meieese. M'seur How
landY
YES"
Croisset leaned down with his black
eyes cleaning like Goals.
"Do you know what l would do If l
was her. m'seur?" he said in low
voice and yet one filed with threat
which stilled the words of passion
which the engineer was on the point Of
uttering. "Do you know what would
do? / would kill you-kill you inch by
you. That is what l
would do"
For Gods sake. Croisset. tell me
why Why
Croisset had found Howland's pistol
and freed his hands. and the engineer .
stretched them out entreatingly.
II would give my life for that girl,
rroisset told her so back there, and
she came to me when was in the
,now and He caught himself, add
ng TO what he had left incomplete.
There is mistake. Croisset. / am
TOT the man they want to KILL
Croisset was smiling at him again.
..Smolyp and think m'spur IL Is |