Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-02-16
CHAPTER XIV.
Tho Man In the Black Hat

these squatters up here. Do you think
they mean business?"
There amt much fooling about
these mountain men," Puttick answer
ed bitterly. And now l says this to
you, Mr.. Petersham, and can't never
say nothing stronger. If you're mind
ed to stay on here Mt this place, you
must pay If you don't want Miss Pc
tersham hurt or killed"
my daughter?"
That's how l read it. What else
could he mean? He said you'd be sor-
ry all your life"
Good heavens! Even the most hard
ened ruftians would not hurt woman.
You don't think 1t possibleT Peter
sham turned to me.
II think that Linda runs very great
risk by staying"
"Then she shall CO."
But when Linda was called and the
facts made clear to her she absolutely
refused to leave Kalmacks.
"You will force me to pay the mon
ey, then." said Petersham, though
am we'll aware that this demand will
only be the first Of many. Whenever
these blackmailers want $1,000. aye,
or $4,000. they know they will only
have to ask me to supply them. But
l can't risk youth pay"
Joe turned to Petersham. IF you
climb down now I'll be right sorry
ever come with you. don't hold with
backing down under bluff"
l, who knew Joe, was surprised to
hear him offer so definite an opinion
in such strong terms. but Linda clap
ped her hands.
"Its all nonsense, isn't It? Why, II
any one attempted to hurt me Joe
would make him regret 1t, wouldn't
you, Joe" She flashed him a glance
Of her glorious eyes.
I'D sure try to hard enough" re-
plied November. And now, Mr.. Qua
ritch, I'll ask Ben here to show me
lust where the fella stood when he
held him up this morning"
So Joe We 1t down to the brook, and
l went with him. We were soon be-
side the canoe which Puttick had been
mending.
Here's where l was, and there's
where he STOOD" said Puttck, pointing
to small mass Of rock close by. And
there's the place set down my watch
November glanced over the details
and then followed the bank of the
brook for some distance. Presently he
returned.
did you strike his trailT asked Put
tick.
mo, the stones lead right away to
the lake, and like as not he came In
q canoe"
Like as nct," agreed Puttick and
resumed his work on the canoe which
had been so rudely interrupted earlier
In the day.
We found Linda In the living room
arranging some fishing tackle. She at
once appealed to Joe.
"Oh, Joe, I want to try some OF
those English lures Mr.. Quaritch gave
me. I'm going to fish, ana l want to
use this two jointed pole. Will you
fx it for me?"
"I'd like you to make me a prom
ise, Miss Linda"
What is it?"
"Not to 90 out at all today"
"You don't think I'm in danger?"
You're in great danger, Miss
Linda"
"Then you must go out with me,
Joe. II you are with me they will not
dare
"Look here, Miss Linda, If you'll stay
In the house just over today wouldn't
wonder but it might be quite safe for
you to 60 out tomorrow = and ever
after"
"Joe, you mean you have discover
ed"-
"No; l ain't discovered nothing, but
If you stay in the way l ask maybe
SHALL" Joe took up his hat.
"Where are you going. NOvemberp'
asked
"Over to Senlis lake, Mr.. Quaritch.
VIII you see Ben Puttick and tell him
won't be back till lateish and will he
J.. cook the potatoes and the cornfour
: cakes If don't get buck to time? Miss
! Linda. will you please tell every one
even your father. that you have a
mighty painful head and that's why
, you're staying in"
"Yes, Joe," said Linda.
Il After Joe's departure took book
and sat with 1t in the veranda, where
was joined in due course by Linda
md Mr.. Petersham.
Its cool here, the only cool spot In
The place todly." remarked Petersham.
"Yes. and don't the spruces smell
; sweet?" said LiLda. "Joe cut them to
; give me shade"
She pointed to row Of tall saplings
propped against the rail Of the veran-
da so as to form close screen.
"Joe always thinks Of things for peo-
J ple," she added.
Petersham glanced from me to Lin
da. "If your headache Is bad you had
better lie down in the house." he said.
ut is ever so much better, but I'll
, fetch some smelling salts"
was about to offer to bring them
for her when caught her fathers
eye behind her back and remained
where | was. AS soon as she had gone
in Petersham stepped up to me and
whispered:
ITO give her shade" he repeated.
I looked around and nodded.
, "There is always shade here" he
, vent on. THE sun can't get in through
l the pines on this side. The wood Is
, thickest here"
"Thats true" I agreed, looking at
| the close grown jumpers that stood IN
front Of US. "Joe stacked these sap
lings against the rail for some other
reason"
E "Of course. he knew that Linda
. would very likely ait here, and he was
Afraid"
Afraid? OF whatT' said Linda sud.
7 denly from behind US. mo one could
hurt me here. Why, could call FOL
help and you are both here. You could
protect me-"
mot against rife bullet" said Pc
ur,.. ,oi,o m t,, tndo NJ