The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-01-06
Ccontinued.O

Then three Ua lAe .Aen resumed work on the tree. The other followed the path F'reckIes had worn to Little Chickens tree. and presently he re ported that the wires were down and two teams with the loading apparatus coming to take out the timber. All the time the saw was slowly eating. eat ing into the big tree.
 We<sner went out to the trail and removed the wire. Then he stood in front of Freckles and laughed in dev- dlish hate. FreckleS found himself looking fear in the face and marveIed that he was not afraid. Four to one: The tree halfway eaten through. the wagons coming up the inside road. he bound and gagged. @The men with BIark Jack and Wessner had belong ed to McLpan's gang when last he had heard of them. but who those coming with the wagons might be he could not guess. 7,
 sf they secured that tree Mclean lost It's vaIue. lost his wager and lost his faith iD him. The words of the angel hammered in his ears. "Oh. FreckIes. do watch closelyP'
 And The saw ate on
 When the tree was down and loaded what would they dor Pull Oue and leave him there to report them? 1t was not to be hoped for. The place had always been Iawless. 1t could mean but one thing.
 A mist swept before his eyes. and his head swan. Was it only last night that he had worshiped the angel in a deiirium of happiness7 And now Khatf WeSsner. released from turn af tbe saw. walked over to the flower bed and. tearing up handful of rare ferns by the roots. started toward FreckIea. His intention was obvious Black Jack stopped him with an oath.
 s.YOu see here. Dufchy." be bawled. Smebby you think you'll wash his face with that. but you won't A contracts a contract We agreed to take out these trees and leave him for you to dispose of whafeyer way you please. provided you shut him up eternally on this deal. But I'll not see tied man tormented by a fellow that he can lick up the ground with. loose. and that's fat It raises my gorge to think what he'll get when we're gone. but you needn't think you're free to begin be fore Don't you lay a hand on him while I'm here! What do you say. boysr'
 -I say yes" RrowIed one of Mc- Lean's latest deserters. "What's more we're pack of fools to risk the dirty work of silencing him dOn'i mind lifting the trees we came for. but I'm cursed if I want blood on my hands
 "weIL you ain't going to get it." bel lowed Jack "You fellows only con traeted to help me get out my mark ed trees. He belongs to Wessner. and 1t ain't our deal what happens to him. It's all planned safe and sure. As for killing that buck-come to think of it. killing Is what he needs. He's away to good for this world of woe anyhow. His dropping out won't be the only secret the old L1mberIoSt has never 1old- It's too dead easy to make 1t look like he helped take the timber and then cut. Why. he's played right into our hands. He was here at the swamp all last night and back again in an hour or so. When we get our plan worked ont even old fool Duncan won't lift a finger to look for his car cass.'
 "You just bet" said wessner. 'I owe him all he'll get. But I'll pay!' he snarIed at Freckles. So it was killing then. They were not only after this one tree. but many. and with his body it was their plan to kiiI his honor. To brand him a thief. like them, before the angel. the Bird Woman. the dear boss and the Duncans! Frcckles' body sagged against the ropes in sick despair.
 There was no hope of McLean's coming. They had chosen a day when they knew he had q big contract at the south camp. The boss could moi possibly come before tomorrow. and there would he no tomorrow for him.