The evening world., 1915-03-19

blaze. Olsen's work. that could never
be done again In this country Of un-
dersixed trees with not board In one
OF them. was gone. Il suppose we
can log her up somehow" Hazard
thought. staring at the ruins. but 1t
Just means that much time lost as
far as the output goes. l was right.
all right when l said l saw my bad
luck coming"
"WhatY" asked Atherton. with that
irritating trick Of his.
Hazard turned on him slowly. II
didn't speak. but I'm going to-" his
voice hoarse with steam and flying
ashes. What on earth were you
about With your matches this morn
ing7"
1T that's what you think, you can
think It," said Atherton nippantly.
Why don't you say 1t was an &C
Atherton shrugged his shoulders. 1T
wasn't one I could have prevented.
I'm not running tho Lastluck mine."
mot yet. ! suppose II you had
seen, by my taking your offer this
wasn't any fire; and one OF your men
wouldn't have been conveniently out
side while mine were bailed up In the
bunkhouse."
Atherton turned away. and turned
back again. you've insulted me
quietly for him. I'm not going TO
waste breath in saying you'll be sorry
for It, for I mean to make you
damned sorry. I didn't set your sheds
on fire nor lock In your men, but
know who did. Just men who're go
ing to fight you for your claim"
Hazard looked up At the empty
mountains scornfully. This morning
you said I'd have trouble from .
haunt" he retorted.
II said the men thought II was q
haunt. It's a good deal worse to my
mind: ghosts don't burn before they
murder, II you want the plain word.
You've been here i've months. and
I've found out In twenty-four hours
more than you ever thought of--un-
less to-night's made you think. can
show you what you've got to tight II
you want to see II. You won't be-
llevs me II I tell YOU"
II haven't time to listen" said Has
ard bruskly, striding off In the dark
to look for Kelly. and stumbling on
him a. O black huddle against rock.
Better take the men homo, there's
NO use In staying" he said curtly.
6noe all gone up.
Kelly took out his pipe. II guess
I'll stay for . while, II you don't
mind" he returned. "Olsen's kind OF
hunting round mourning for his burnt
up shovels. and l guess mo and the
men will stay out with him and
observe the night" He showed the
snaky- head Of q revolver suddenly
out OF his pocket 81 hooked It from
you." he observed calmly. There,
been too much talk Of ghosts and
things to suit me. and I seen some
sort Of q thing roaming round here
when first ] came up. I'm going 10
shoot a hole in II and take the men
back comfortable. don't want any
more fool scares In my bunk house
tonight. Just let me get things
quieted down. and I'll have the men
home cool and easy inside OF an hour
ain't never cheated you. Mr.. Hazard
and there's something thats past me
here"
"Well." said Hazard slowly. "you
can stay an hour"
A. he spoke he wondered II ne did
not see the strange dog slipping pas'
In the fringe of darkness. and sud.
den thought smote him. II the beas'
were not Atherton's there might bt
some truth In his story Of other mer
being at Lastluck; tin he knew II
was not worth while explaining graz
shadows to Kelly.
He strode to where Atherton stood
smoking calmly. and touched hi