The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-04-25

the Ou11QOuS news to V N0n dISO brought Curtis Gordon north. He had remained in Seattle only long enough to see the IHlis story in print, and then had hastened back to the front But | his satisfaction over the mischief he had done received rude jolt when at his first moment of leisure he looked over the late magazines which he had bought before taking leave. In one which had appeared on the newsstands that very day he found to his amaze ment an article by Miss Eliza Apple ! ton, in which his own picture appeared He bounced upon it eagerly, and then as he read his eyes narrowed and his jaw stiffeLed. There, spread out to the public gaze, was his own record in full, including his initial venture into the Kyak coal fields, his abandonment of that project in favor of Hope Con- 1 solidated and al account of his con- neetion with the latter enterprise. Eliza had not hesitated to call the mine ] worthless, and she showed how he, knowing it's worthlessness from the first, had used it as lure to investors. Then followed the story of his efforts to gain footlloll i'll the railroad strug- gle, his defeat at the Salmon river can yon, his rout at the delta crossing and
  feer stood out boldly in all its fraudu- 1 lent scolors; failure was written across every one of his undertakings. The naked facts showed him visionary, in competent, uuscrupulous. Thus far he had succeeded in keeping 1 a large part of his stockholders in ig norance of the true condition of Hope Consolidated. but he quailed at the 1n 1 evitab1e result of this article, which had been flung far and wide into every. 1 city and village in the land. He dared not think of its Effect upon his present enterprise, now so auspiciously launch ed. He had made a ringing appeal to the public, and it's support would hinge upon its confidence in him as man of affairs. Once that trust was destroyed the Cortez Home railway would crum- ble as swiftly as had all his other schemes.
 The worst of it was that he knew himself shut of from the world for i've days as enectually as if he were locked in dungeon. There was no wireless equipment on the ship, he could not start the machinery, of his press bu reau, and with every hour this damna- b1e story was bound to gain n1omen- turn. He cursed the luck which had CeAA-~C and bound his hands.
 Meanwhile Dan was struggling with his problem in his own way. The pos sibflity that Natalie had voluntarily betrayed him was a racking torture, and the remenbrance of EIizas words added to his suffering. He tried to gain some hint of his chiefs feeling, but Murray's frank and friendly atti- tude bafied him.
 When at last he received a brief Npote from Natalie asking him to call he raced to Hope afraid, yet eager to hear what she might say. She met him on the dock as he left the S. R. and N. motorboat and led him directly to the house.
 Natalie went straight to the point. I'm in dreadful trouble,'' she said, 'sand I sent for you to tell you that I had no Idea of betraYing condolences"
 Dan uttered some inane p1atitude, but his eyes lighted with relief
 When I saw in the papers what a stir that North Pass and Yukon story had made I was afraid I had done something dreadful. Tell me, is it so? Did make trouble? P
 You certainly did. o'NeiI was furi- ous, and nobody knows yet what the result will be. It-it nearly cost me my head
 Docs he blame me?''
 tNznol He says you're on Gordon's side now. He planes me or did until he generously took it on himself"
 What does it all mean? Pm near ly distracted NataIie's eyes were pleading. Did you think I spied on you?''
 Dan g1owed with embarrassment,a and
  to think he said. q was wretchedly miserable, for was afraid. And yet I knew you couldn't do such a thing. I told O'Neil I wasn't responsible for what I did or said when with you
 MT. Gordon sent me to Omar pur poseIy. He sent me twice It was I who brought him word that the road was saved. told all I'd learned be cause I believed he no longer hated Mir. O'Nef1. I was happy to tell all I knew. for he deceived me as he de ceives every one. learned the truth too late.''
 @Why do you stay here?" Dan de manded hotly.
 fWhy? I-don,t know. Perhaps be cause I'm afraid to, leave. I'm alone. You see, mother believes in him. She's completely under his sway, and I can't tell her the sort of man he is. She's happy, and her happiness is worth more to me than my own. But-I shall go away. can't stand it here much longer"
 tsWhere will you go?''
 Back tony old home perhaps. Somewhere - anywhere away from Alaska"
 ~nNprEp x,fiI,s-