Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-11-19

IH they came into Lac Balm,
S% and as soon as Philip had
GsR&y turned over the colonel and
his wife to Breed, he hurried to his
own cabin. At the door he oncoun-
tered Buck Nome. The two men had
not met since q month before at Mel
son House, and there was but little
oordiality in Steele's greeting as he
went through tho formality OF shak-
ing hands with his associate.
I'm going to say howdy to EN-"
explained Nome, pausing for a mo-
mont Deuce Of a good Joke on you,
steelel How do you like the Job of
bringing in an old colonel's frozen
wife, or q frozen colonel's old wife.
eh?"
Every fiber in Sreeles body grew
tense at the banter In the others
voice. He whirled upon Nome, who
had partly turned away. "You re-
member-you lied down there at Mel
son to get just such q lob as this"
he reminded. "Have you forgotten
what happened-after that7"
Don't get miffed about it, man."
returned Nome with an Irritating
laugh. "All's fair in love and war.
That was love down there, pom my
word of honor 1t was, and this is
about as near the other thing as /
want to come"
There was something in his laugh
that drew Steele's lips in tight line
as he entered the cabin. 1t was not
the first time he had listened to
Nome's gloating chuckle at the men,
ton of certain women. 1t was this
more than anything else that made
him hate the man. Physically, Nome
was magnificent specimen, beyond
doubt the handsomest man In the
service north of Winnipeg: 30 that
while other men despised him for
what they knew, women admired and
loved him-until, now and then too
late for their own salvation. they dis
covered that his moral code was rot
ten to the core.
Such a thing had happened at Mel
son House, and Philip felt himself
burning with a desire to choke the
life out OF Nome as he recalled the
tragedy there. "And what would hap
pen-now?" The thought came to
him like a dash of cold water, and
yet, after a moment, his teeth gleam-
ed In a smile as q vision rose before
him of the love and purity which he
had seen in the sweet face Of the
colonel's wife.
He chuckled softly to himself as
he dragged out pack from under
his bunk; but there was no humor in
the chuckle. From 1t he took bun
die wrapped in soft birch bark, and
from this produced the skull that he
had brought up with him from the
South. There was tremble of ex-
oitement in his low laugh as he
glanced about the gloomy interior of
the cabin. From the log ceiling hung
big oil lamp with tin reflector.
and under this he hung the skull.
you'll make a pretty ornament,
M'sieur Janette," he exclaimed. stand
ing on to contemplate the white
thing leering and bobbing at him
from its string. "Mon Dieu, tell
you that when the lamp is lighted
Bucky Nome must be blind II he
doesn't recognize you, even though
you're dead, Msieur!"
He lighted smaller lamp, shaved
himself, and changed his clothes. 1t
was dark when he was ready for sup
per, and Nome had not returned. He
waited quarter of an hour longer,
then put on his cap and coat and
lighted the big oil lamp. At the door
he turned to look back. The cavern
GUS sockets of the skull stared at
him. From where he stood he could
see the ragged hole above the ear.
ut your game tonight. M'sieur
Janette," he cried back softly, and
closed the door behind him.
They were gathered before huge
are of logs in the factors big living
room when Philip joined the others.
A glance told him why Nome had not
returned to the cabin. Breed and the
colonel were smoking cigars over
ragged ledger of supendous size.
which the factor had spread out upon
. small table and both were deeply
absorbed. Mrs. Becker was facing
the fire, and close beside her sat
Nome, leaning toward her and talk
ing In a voice 30 low that only a
murmur of 1t came to Steeles ears.
The mans face was flushed when he
looked up. and his eyes shone with