The Washington herald., 1914-05-29
TIM Tox.

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(PiayiEg It the orpheum today.)
Tho squad Of mounted police swooped
down upon the littis band OF outlaws
seated around the campfire. As theIr
owy group about the IRE dissolved. each
man springfng behind Q tree. aiming muir
derous IRE at the assaiIants.
Get the Fox!" shouted John Ingra-
ham. leader OF the mounted. to the man
ut his side Don't let him get away this
time" A bullet grazed his cheek as he
charged . figure crouching behind the
trunk Of . tree. His gun biaxed. and
the man reelsd and fell. He looked about
the great forests OF the Canadian North
west shrieks. groahs and curses told
that the IRE Of the mounted was deadly
and sure, but when the battle had SUBJ
sided the Fox was neither among the
dead nor the prisoners.
He gave Us the slip again. said Fred
ericks. Johns companion In many a per-
ilous raid and battle. The two men
were riding side By side In front of the
squad.
John jabbed searching glance at his
companion. Yes. he gave US the slip, -
he snarled. "and there's mighty good
reason for II. too
Fredericks' glance fell. What do you
mean. John?'
THAT there is a traitor at this post
just that said John sharply. Some
bodys been tippin' the Fox OF every
time we've been plannin' to get him.
Somebody tipped him OF today"
They dismounted at the post, and the
men stepped into the ONCE to report
Did you get the Fox7" demanded the
commandant.
"The Fox was tipped of and got
away" said John slowly. "One of our
own men gave him the tip"
The ofiicer looked at him sharply. "Can
you prove thatr'
Yes" He turned around slowly and
faced his companion. sweeping him with
glance half reluctant and half accus-
ing. There's the man. he mumbled
with a sroan. II saw him sneakin'
away to the Fox's camp just before we
started out this afternoon"
What have you to say?' demanded
the officer. REGARDING Fredericks sharp
ly.
Nothing. John speaks the truth. Some
day he will know why ! did it,
There In no excuse for being a
traitor" The ofiicer motioned to a group
Of men, and Fredericks was led away.
At the door he turned and looked at his
companion. Some day you'll know I'm
not quite SO bad as you think" he said.
F.. Johns glance followed the retreating
group and he heaved a sigh as they dis
appeared. God knows hated to do it
Fredericks was my friend he said brok-
emily.
You did your duty" consoled the on
Ger. John stepped from the Office and
walked slowly toward the little cabin
where he lived with his sister As he
entered he thought he saw an expression
Of fright In his sisters face. He kissed
her and cares7ed her dark tresses ten
derly
You haven't heard the news yet. have
you. Sis?"
THE newsr' she cried. startled.
"Fredericks has Just been DISCHARGED
discharged. Hes . traitor"
Her face went white and she stared at
him with cold. horrifed eyes. Then her
head dropped. and she sank into a chair
and gave way to heartrending sobs.
. Don't Sis" John stepped up to her
Ind drew her head to his breast He
wasn't worthy OF you He was a traitor.
You must forget him. know it's mighty
hard. but you'll get over it,
She wept bitterly. II hated to do it,"
numbled John. "Fredericks was my best
friend and I know you loved him. |
When I found out he was a traitor, l.
Tou don't know how il hurt. 1t was the |
worst experience I've had since our |
,rother Dick stole our money and ran
lway 1t kind of made me lose faith |
n everybody
You don't understand" she sobbed. |
Some day you'll be sorry when YOU
ind out why Fred" Sobs checked back
he words and John stared at her in /
Imazement Fredericks had said some |
hing equally mysterious when he was |
ed away.
What do you mean. sis?' he demand
d.
"Oh. nothins-only-'
A slight noise. a scraping of feet. was
,eard overhead. John looked at the |
rude log ceiling. The noise was re-
'eated- He dashed toward the ladder,
nut his sister sprang from the chair and 4
matched at his coat
"Don'tp' she cried You mustn't. oh.
lon't you understand? Don't YOU re-
member Dick-our brother?"
FOR moment he looked at her as ~ |
ie thought she had suddenly lost her /
enses. Then. freeing himself, he dashed |
- the ladder. figure moved in the
larkness OF the loft
''Stop!' cried John. ignoring the COM
nand, the figure stepped on a barrel.
opened shutter and lifted himself 1
hrough the aperture to the roof John
oiiowed the maneuver and saw the man |
cap from the roof and run towards the |
woods surrounding the cabin.
The Foxf" he mumbled. and leaped 4
The chase was fast and furious. but in
clearing he caught No with the fleeing Il
nan. The Fox drew his knife and slashed Il
'iciously at his opponent. John pulled
lis gun, and the Fox crumpled in his
racks. The dying mans lips moved and II
Iohn stopped and listened
Fred - Fredericks." he mumbled. II
John pressed his ear against the mans
eart- There was no sound Dead" he