The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1916-01-20

: dry pines on that slope. Also she ha
, sent, an hour before, tall, lone spira
/ into the dun heavens from the yer
heart of the spared timber behind tn
Hog Back. That spiral had caught tn
eye Of Walter Sandry. working will
his waning strength north on the cas-
slope. For how many hours he dir
not know, he had neither eaten MOI
slept. But still he went with the
spirit that would not quit 80 long as
another stayed at his post.
If the rains would only GOMEZ" he
thought as he struggled upward, 'it's
nearly time for them. II they would
only bring their first showers now!
The roar of the new 1re-a solitary
pine that went up like huge, grace
full torch-was in his ears, It's light
before him.
Now how under heaven did 1t get
started up In here?"
He had spoken aloud as he YEARLY
skirted clump of young spruce and
the words fell short, abruptly broken
as he emerged from their shelter.
Before him, in small cleared space
stood Hampden of the Yellow Pines.
His back was toward Sandry and he
carried In his hand three candles. He
was nearly as black and disreputable
as any scarecrow down among the
fires. He was intently watching some
thing at the foot of second pine.
Softly Sandry moved until this object
was in his line of vision.
Bedded high in a pile of tinder-dry
needles a fourth candle glowed
brightly in the smoky gloom. With
utmost cunning it had been set close
against the tree where a long branch
Of pitch trailed down the rugged bark
from far up among the branches.
When the candle burned down to the
resin-steeped needles-and a man
might travel far in the meantine-the
upleaping flames need only to lick
that banner to rush with lightning
speed to the swaying, infiammable
top.
For long moment the Fastener
stood, lost IN wonder. Then the whole
thing burst upon him and he knew. |
Hampden of the Yellow Pines was the |
power behind the holocaust!
AS this stupendous knowledge forced |
itself into his weary brain. the other
man turned and strobe swiftly away |
among the Doles. The wearying climb
had taken the breath from Sandry's
lungs and he drew a pistol from his
belt and fired over Hampdens head.
Like an animal the man whirled, hand
10 hip, and faced him.
1--WE got you at last" Sandy pant
ID; I've got you at last,'
aampden's heavy lips curled ven
from his short, strong teeth.
"You!" he breathed, you! You
damned Easterner You lily-handed
-enderfoot!"
Sandy smiled grimly.
This is just about the blacklist spot
n your crooked career, Hampden," he
'aid at last, the blacklist and the big
sest blunder. hcan't see why you did
t."
You can't" snarled Hampden, "oh,
'ou can't! Well, by God, you will be-
ore I'm done with you You didn't
now what you was gettin up against
you and your-your-Poppy Ord
yay. You made yer fight, an you
bought you'd won! But you reck-
ned without me- I'm maxim mine, |
n it's hummer" |
He glared savagely along the gun
Ito Sandry's bloodshot eyes, and at
his moment Black Bolt heaved up
trough the ferns, Siletz peering eager
along his straining neck, and the
ice of Poppy Ordway at her shoulder.
he girl slid out of the saddle and ran
} Sandry.
What is it?" she cried, what is
2"
Sandry pointed to the burning can
e at the pines foot and instantly she
rang forward and snuffed 1t out
It'll thumb and finger.
Miss Ordway slipped down from
9 foamy, steamipg hips of the horse,
stand leaning against him. her r
light eyes beginning to sparkle with
e tension of the moment. At sight
her Hampden's face grew gray be-
ath its CRIME. She was smiling
tn that pleasure which she always
md where men fought, or engi-
cred dramatic coups, or worked out
'ver schemes, and her beauty was
yer SO maddening to him in all his
owledge of her. His one pure dream
4, in truth, reached a sorry ending.
Sandy" said Siletzssimply, Il came
you. There's danger somewhere
don't know where or what-but
res something in the shadows"
\ vagrant wind famed up long
,ets and whistling banners that o
'ried up to leap into the moaning o
lopy behind the Hog Back. The o
ors in this little drama were too @
ent to hear the heightened note. a
So you come to be in at tn a
TIL" said Hampden at last, his
IS on Poppy in anguished fury, -
u done me to death an you want ~
see me die. Oh. tn games up and
0nt care a damni I'm tn smartest
of this bunch yet. An but fer
fact that you've got them two let
you stole from the commissioner
IL l. Il. ~ N,-A. /