The Huttig news., 1916-04-01

bOp.
 For 8 long moment the Fastener stood los; m wonder Then the whole Shlng 3afst upon him and he knew Hampaen oi the Yellow Pines was the power behind the holocaust
 AS this stupendous knowledge forced itself into h1s weary brain. the other man turned ana strode swiftly away among the poles. The wearying climb mad taken the breath from Sandrys lungs and he drew pistol from his belt and fired over Hampden head. Like an animal the man whirIed hand to hIp. and faced nm.
 I've got you at iasti" Sandy pant. Cd; I've got you at last!
 Hampden's heavy lips curled ven- omously from his short, strong teeth.
 ''Youi" he Dreathed, you! You damned Fastener! You lily-nanded tenderfooti"
 Sandy smiled grimly.
 'Fhis is just about the blackest spot in your crooked career, Hampden. he said at last, the blackest and the big gest blander. 1 can't see why you did its
 You can't" snarled Gampden, .'oh, you can't We'll. by God, you will be- fore lm done with you You didn't know what you was gettin' up against you and your-your-P Poppy Ord way. You made yer fight, an yon thought you'd won! But you reck- oned without me. I'm makin mine, an it's hummer
 He glared savagely along the gun into Sandry's bloodshot eyes, and at this moment Black Bolt heaved up through the ferns, Siletz peering eager. iy along his strainlng neck, and the face of Poppy Ordway at her shoulder. The glr1 slid out of the saddle and ran to Sandry.
 What is 1t she cried, what is 1t?
 Sandry pointed to the burning can de at the pines foot and instantly she sprang forward and snufted It out with thumb and finger.
 Miss Ordway slipped down from the foamy, steaming hips of the horse, to stand leaning against him. her bright eyes beginning to sparkle with the tension of the moment At sight of her Hampden's face grew gray be- meath it's grime. She was smiling with that pleasure which she always found where men fought. or engi- neered dramatic eoups, or worked out clever schemes. and her beauty was never so maddening to him in all his knowledge of her His one pure dream had, in truth. reached sorry ending.
 Sandy" said Siletz simply, .l came to you. There's danger somewhere l don't know where or what-but there's something in the shadows.
 A vagrant wind famed up long sheets and whistling banners that hurried up to leap into the moaning canopy behind the Hog Back. The actors in this little drama were too intent to hear the heightened note.
 So you come to be in at tn death." said Hampden at last, his l eyes on Poppy in anguished fury, you done me to death an you want to see me die, Oh, tn games up and l don't care damn! I'm tn smartest one of this bunch yet. An but fer tn fact that you've got them two let ters you stole from the commissioner and tn account book with the records of our deals an rake-offs and so on, I'd a had chance to fight an win yet! But know you, Poppy-Oh, how damned we'll know you,-an l know I'm whipped. But Pm makin' a fight-you're damned right l am!"
 He waved an eloquent arm around at the appalled,, shrinking country which seemed to crouch in it's naked ness under the shrouding smoke.
 But tn thing that cuts is knowin' that you done it all fer him. A feeble drivelin' thing from tn East An they say you'll marry himi Well, go to it He'll have to move out. fer there won't be any more Dillingworth Lumber company in twenty hours. Fl be behind bars, all right, but I've cleaned him out
 AS he finished with a reckless laugh Sandry turned amazed eyes to Poppy. She was pale with anger and she avoided his glance. This was the last thing she wanted-that Sandry should know of her attempt to forestall him in the getting" of Hampden. She saw her chance to gain his gratitude by her gift drifting away. Also the revelation of her lawyers pertidy was a mighty blow.
 "Hampden, she said unsteadily, you're the eoarsest beast l know!"
 "All right But ain't that what it's all fer? To lay me as a burnt offerin' at his feet-a sacrifice to win his mincin' love2 Didn't you say you'd marry him? Amt I heard it right an Ieft?"
 .No." cried Poppy, red with rage under Sandry's astounded eyes, mo! never did!"
 "Yes!' cried Siletz ringingly, "you did! You said when Sandry was dy- ing that you were his promised wife,
 In the hush that followed. intensi, fled by the dropping brands from the bupo nina which was uOw hut a hlacI-