The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-04-30

seer of visions, after all? How much
longer was this monomania on the sub
Ject OF strange noises to play its alb
surd part in their enterprises? He re-
manned silent, but the other saw the
disgust In his face.
"Overton," he said earnestly, "if that
man gets out and proves those wireless
messages fakes Jennison may be able
to prevent the transfer of the gold. At
all events he'd scarcely trust his daugh-
ter to the pirate"
Here was a little ray Of light that
promised hope. Yet what was his ally
expecting? Whom did he believe to be
held a prisoner?
"Ihurston must be pretty groggy by
this time" said Marsh, as if reading
his thought.
"Thurston. Then you think it's the
wireless operators"
"IIope so. At my rate, if we have
luck we'll know before many hours"
The slight wave Of elation ebbed
rapidly and left the rocks of discour-
agement jagged and bare. What faith
could possibly he placed in such vaga-
ries: Brill gazed at the travelling man
stupidity until suddenly recalled to the
duty of the moment by the words:
Better go to Miss Jennison, hadn't
YOU"
He started shamefacedly. 1t was odd
to be prompted to go to her. Marsh
had a final word with him as he rose.
I'D post her as to how the captain
stands, but warn her not to tell her
father. Women can keep a secret
when they want to-but nervous old
men of finance who've put all their
eggs in one basket can leak like sieves.
Perhaps she can suggest some scheme
for further delay, but l hope we can do
the trick tonight"
On his way to the library Brill found
that the passengers had learned that
the gold was to be transferred. Penny
thorpe voiced the disgust of many Of
them.
They'll keep the steamer merely I'M
der s~teerageway for hours" he said an
grily. Il protest against this utter de
fiance of the rights Of passengers. L.
But Brill hurried on, almost as much
: to escape this dread bore as to NEE,
!. the girl he loved. In the corridor, just
: outside the library, he came face to
, face With Benedict.
The Mexican quickened his steps and
reached the library entrance first. He
stood still, squared his shoulders, fold
:, !, ed his arms and fixed his scintiliating
lenses on his rivals face.
Il think it best you do not enter the
> library Just now." he said, with icy
incisiyeness.
- Brill looked at him contemptuouslS
= and made as if to pass, but the MeNi
can shifted his position, again block
ing the way. Clearly he intended tc
keep the library for himself and Marion
Jennison, the folds Of whose skirt Bril-
could see through the door.
His first thought was to avoid
= scene that would be unpleasant 70
the girl. and he retreated several steps
Benedict followed menacingly; he up
Z parently took this for fear.
. what do you mean by blocking NJ.
. progress and presuming to dictate m,
: movements" demanded Brill in a low
Z tone, still continuing his retrograde I'LL
til he and the pursuing Benedict wer
both around a orner out of sight ant
hearing of the library. The Mexican
showed his teeth with a smile of tn
utmost scorn.
"You have d%isregarded my hints" Ii
said. Now l must go still farthe
and insist that you do not see Mis-
Jennison again."
"When a lady expresses a desire t
see me, l doubt the right of any on
even to suggest that l do o compl.
with her Wishes was the reply.
II have told YOU began Benedict.
"Stand u Of my way" said Bril-
with a calmness that the other sti
misunderstood, an Interpretation tina
caused him to keep his ground thre
seconds too long.
Mr.. Overton Brill had been c
the crack "guards'' of the country o
Y the Yale eleven of his time, and pc!
sibly had never quite outgrown til
habit of physical training or the desil
to hurl aside a human mass opposed t
him. Certain it is that with one sWi1
lunge and the tlexing Of Il few we
taught muscles he lifted the Mexica
from his feet, threw him crashin
i into a corner and passed on withol
giving his victim a single backwal
look.
When Benedict had removed some
the dust from his black coat he strot
to the library door. There mental a
guish was added to physical hurt, #
he saw at one bitter glance the ia
Miss .Jcnnison and the man who h;
: Just overthrown him seated togeth'
+. on a tete-a-tete sofa, their heads II
very far apart.
:" The Mexican took an impulsive ST.
forward. Then he stopped and shoe
*. his head, and as he walked away Z
c,nctor nf n smile tluttercl owe l.