Gilpin observer., 1916-05-11

.
cried with the insolence of indiffer
ence. and even in the excitement OF
the moment the thrust went home to
the young owner. His Jaw frightened
and he marked the man, one of the
fallers, for future reckoning.
How the fight would have ended
Sandry. thinking 1t over afterward,
could never decide. They were evenly
matched in intent. the two factions.
and nearly so in numbers. though
Hampdens force was a trifie the
stronger.
Blows rained fast and furious.
Blood was flowing freely and the oaths
and laughter had given place to pant
ing silence
you low-down chedt!" he heard
Daily say as he closed with Hampden.
"We'll-settle-a few things-now."
There was the scent of heated flesh
and of warm blood in the close, moist
air. and the clump and swish and
crunch of heavy boots threshing the
fern. From under the trampling feet
he caught sight of limp figure. crum-
pied on its side.
caught at his heart and set purpose
in its Mortified amaze.
He must stop this thing at any cost.
Springing down he caught up long
blacksnake whip lying coiled beside a
stump. 1t had evidently come with the
Yellow Pines outfit, for what purpose
he did not know, for there was not
such an article anywhere in camp.
Raising his arm he whirled 1t back
to send the long lash singing in among
the struggling mass. when a sound.
coming clearly out of the brooding
stiffness of the great pine woods. ar
rested him.
1t was the high, silvery note of
flute. Shrill and clear. it cut into the
rush of the fight like flashing blade.
The men heard it, even through the
fight rage. Here and there the furious
action halted moment. without voli-
tion. 1t seemed. and man drew quick
ly out on one side. In the moments
hush that followed whole cascade of
sparkling notes fell from the ridge
like a handful of diamonds trickling
down, and sweet and tender came the
strains of Lead, Kindly Light
Daily caught his antagonist by the
throat and hurled him backward,
opening up a space In the locked and
painting swelter.
THE Preacher!" he painted The
Preachers COMMIT"
With common consent the two fac
tions fell apart, the Yellow Pines own
er getting to his feet blind with the un.
caring anger of the bully.
So it was the Preacher who was com.
ing thus with the herald of those sill
yer notes.-the Preacher whose worn
old Bible lay in the little south room
and whose name brought the light of
gladness into the somber face of
Siletz.
Sandry. still holding the trailing
whip. waited expectant. What he be-
held. when at last the player came out
In a watery bar of the slanting light.
astounded him beyond measure.
The stranger wore a garment of
some coarse brown fiber, buttoned
down from the throat to the feet and
belted at the waist with hempen rope
He carried his flute high with a mar
tial air as II it told of victory and
conquest, and his thin form walked
lightly and erect. White and fine and
delicately lined. the face above shone
radiantly from between heavy hair
which fell in long, loose curls. white
as the winter snow. Blue eyes, under
level brows, looked out with the half
vacant innocence of the very young.
For him the world had stopped some
time ago. AS he emerged through the
fern. Sandry saw that the brown gar.
ment was wet to the knees. the heavy
shoes upon his feet sodden with
earth. ...-u ... ...
"Ah. John. my son!" he said in q
voice as gentle as his eyes. 1T has
been long since we met! have
wearied on the way for the faces OF
friends!"
He held out a hand. slim and shape
ly. yet which bore the look OF one-time
strength. The foreman took It, after
wiping his own swiftly on his cordu-
roys.
We ben waitin' for you q long
time" he said. ''an' we're mighty glad
you've come"
The stranger nodded and, turning to
the shifting lumberjacks. went round
among them with word for each and
that same delicate handshake. Before
he reached Hampden. the owner Of the
Yellow Pines. Strengthening his dishev-
eled clothes. swung out Of the group.
AS he passed Sandry he glared into
his face. ,.
I'll stop you before another twenty
four hours" he said savagely. "and
don't you forget II. Your little deed
to the East Belt an this strip happens
to have been made by a bogus owner,
who soaked old Frazer for a pile an
cleared. It's been filed on as home
stead an sold to me. an Ill see you
In hell hut what I'll Uat ft--aIl I wan