The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-01-15

little stable adjoining, also seemed
/ none the worse for its experience.
! That was a commonplace for both.
! After supper I.ockhart told Anderson
of his plans. The girl was to 60 to
Winnipeg next spring to the convent,
to be educated. AS for him, one more
winter, and then, with luck, he would
be able to give up the life and take
his wife to civilized town.
Anderson listened mutely. His
brain, which had held only one idea,
was now yielding to a second. How
could he arrest this man who had
saved his life?
How could he not arrest him? The
Police always get their man. That
was an axiom. Lockhart had shamed
him once; he should not do so twice.
Lockhart knew that Anderson was
a policeman, but he did not associate
him with his escapade in Montrea!
fifteen years earlier. That had, in
deed, driven him here, but the episode
had been buried in the past. He did
not imagine that anyone was seeking
him,
Where were you bound for?' he
/ asked Anderson. But when Anderson
sat staring moodily at the stove, with
out replying, Lockhart did not per.
sist. He knew that it was not good
form to ask questions Of the police.
Anderson's struggle brought drops
of sweat to his forehead. This pre-
dicament was terrible. He was
man of simple mind and of un1inch.
ing integrity. He did his duty; but
new the duty was two-fold, and a
higher law seemed suddenly to have
interposeo itself between himself and
his task.
~ think I'll go out and see the
horse again before turn in" he said.
The little stable was also a store.
IN it Lockhart stalled the horses OF
his rare visitors and also kept the
stock of goods with which he traded
with the Indians during the summer
months, when there was no trapping.
Anderson paced up and down, torn
with irresolution.
He must take Lockhart back to
headquarters or shame not only him
self but that splendid organization
Of which he was part. Yet this
man had given him his life; surely
he must rather lay down his own than
violate the law Of man, the primal
law
He paced the little shanty, now
stopping beside his horses head and
watching the beast eat with satisfac.
ton, how back again beside the door,
where Lockhart's trading goods were
piled on few hometown shelves.
Anderson fingered them idly, and
bale of cloth, which he had displaced,
slipped to the ground In raising it
stooping down, perceived Il
1emijohn tf whiskey hidden behind
,leverly contrived sliding board. He
put the bale in place and went back
% the hut
An immense load seemed TO have
,een lifted from his spirit that night
They sat round the stove, the four of
hem, laughing and jesting, and ex-
hanging "reminiscences of life in the
,ast.
You are not married." inquired
Mrs. Lockhart gently.
Anderson shook his head There
rad been romance in the life of the
nan, yeags before; it was astonish-
ng how it came back to him. But
he police was his all now, and life
lad become fair for him again.
He slept dreamlessly in his bed le-
lind the little partition of wood, and
vhen he awoke the sun was already
'ver the horizon and the snow had
eased to fall.
There won't be much more snow,
IN thinking" said Lockhart ITS
lmost spring"
yes" answered the sergeant medi.
atively "By the way, Mr.. Lockhart,
think you'd better come back with
ne this morning"
Lockhart stared at him, and a
lreadful pallor came over his face.
COR the first time he suspected that
he policeman might have come to
Tim concerning that matter of fifteen
ears before, in Montreal.
IT'S only a days ride" said An.
lerson. We'll take the horse in
urns. l haven't warrant, Lockhart,
,ut I guess you'd as soon get it over
Ind not make trouble for us both on
hat score.' /
Lockhart licked his dry lips.
What's the charge against me?" he
lsked brokenly.
Selling whisky to the Indians"
answered the policeman. 81 saw that
lemijohn in your store. You know
hats contrary to law. I'm sorry,
4ockhart, and I hate to do it, but
1uty is duty, you know"