The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-03-20


Dorine was thinking of Harp all the
way to his little camp. There was a
sweet. unspoken, half understanding
between the young man and the girl
and so precious and airy was the deli
cate fabric Of the dream that each hes.
itated to shatter it by spoken words.
II wonder where he is" .murmured
Dorine to herself when she reac he'd
the point in the road where the trail
branched Off to Eagle ridge.
At that moment II mans tall figure
detached itself from the shadowy trees
and advanced toward her.
For an instant Dorine thought it was
Harp Newton himself. but when the
man laughed she recognized the voice
Of Sidney Blair. lnstinctively she
shranll back. for she feared and de-
tested the man.
"Good afternoon, Miss Way" grin
ned Sidney. sweeping off his wide
brimmed hat. you're sure going off
the trail"
"Good afternoon" returned Dorine
quietly. IL am taking little walk.
One gets tired of the main trail"
Zone gets tired climbing up Eagle
ridge" laughed Sidney insolently.
Dorine flushed angrily. II should
not think that you had occasion to tax
your strength in that direction" she
said coolly. IL understand that there
is only one claim on the ridge"
"There Is only one claim and only
one manr cried Sidney hotly. $50 l
know where you're bound. my pretty
girl but If you value the life Of that
young-young blockhead you'll keep
away from the ridge or l will know
the reason why. You may laugh at
me. Dorine Way, but II l can't have
the girl l want I'll have something
the next best thing is gold and plenty
of it, Young Blair paused and bit
his lip, conscious that he was betray-
ing himself to the schoolteacher. His
handsome face was distorted with
jealous rage. and his great hands open
ed and closed nervously.
every WELL" said Dorine quietly, and
she turned about and went meekly
back along the trail, but as soon as
she tad turned the corner by the big
Of the young desperate. she slipped
around into the shadow of the under
growth and crouched there. hidden
from view.
1t seemed hours to Dorine before she
heard voices coming up the trail The
sun had set. and it was dark now, but
she had chosen well in hiding behind
the big bowlder. for it was at the sum-
NIT OF long rise of ground. and pc
destrians invariably paused there to re-
gain breath after the climb.
The voices came nearer. and finally
there came the sound Of footsteps that
halted beside the big bowlder. Dorine
listened keenly. hoping for news that
would be of interest to Harp Newton.
She guessed that the Blairs had found
out that Harp was getting some gold
out Af his much ridiculed mine. and
the sharp eyed Davie having discover
ed Harps hiding place for his precious
find, the news had been passed along
to his big brother and his father. Re-
subtitle Blairs would possess them
selves of the gold If they had to kill
Harp Newton in the attempt
She must save Harp Newton! That
was the warning Dorine whispered
with stiff lips as she listened behind
the big bowlder at the top Of the rise
The speakers were Jacob Blair and
Sidney, his son.
Little Davies keen as a fox" were
the first words Dorine heard. II tell
you. Sid. If the lad has put us on to
something big it will be one grand
thing for the little teller. Well send
him to college. ehY
you can try-if he ever gets pro-
noted out of the first reader" shifted
the older brother scornfully. "See
here, dad, the kid says Newtons cached
his stuff behind the waterfall in the
gap. He says there was lot of it.
Shall we take it tonight or wait until
he digs out more?"
BIRD in the hand. you know, Sid"
cautioned the older man.
THAT'S right. Then it's tonightT
Eyes. we can come back about
o'clock. Things will be pretty quiet
then. If we make good you better get
away with the gold and I'll join you
later with the kid. Remember, Sid.
no gambling with that stuff. If you
do ZIP Dorine did not hear the rest
of the threat. for the men walked on
and left her alone there in the dark
ness with all the horrors of the lonely
trail before her.
She shrank from the task, but she
loved Harp Newton. and she shudder-
ed at the very thought Of what would
happen If Sid Blair and his father car
ried out their evil plans.
Dorine flew down the trail, her stout
stick over her shoulder. her sweater
buttoned tightly around her so as not
to impede her movements. At the
branch of the trail she turned and
plunged into the darkness of the path
that led up to the ridge.
1t was rumored that bears had been
seen in the ridge woods, and when
there came the sound Of crashing
twigs Dorine's heart stood still. and
she chung painting to young sapling.
"Who is there? asked a mans deep
voice. the voice Of Harp Newton.
as that Won Harn?v uuavered NOR