Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-26
Epening Story
SOMEBODY'S PAL.

BY Isabel Frost.
Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
It was not that Three Arrows was
naturally suspicious, but nature had
placed it so seclusively, all by itself
on the shoulders of Kaska Mountain,
| that it regarded strangers in the light
| of interlopers. Therefore, it kept one
eye on Evelyn May from the moment
she stepped from the river steamboat.
Another thing that did not add to
her immediate popularity was her reti-
cence. She absolutely refused from
the beginning to take Three Arrows
into her confidence. Whether she had
come north drawn by the lure of gold,
or merely from the love of adventure,
no one could tell.
Slim Rogers sized her up at long
distance from his point of vantage on
the lean-to porch of Rafferty's shack.
In Three Arrows he was accounted
not only local sheriff, but also the final
court of appeals on the standing OF
strangers. Slim had been rather idle
of late. A pail of monotonous morality
had fallen over the land Immediately
under his lawful guardianship. There
had been no killings since Christmas,
when Lone Duck, from Nome, had jubi-
lantly picked of two harmless salmon
trimmers from tribe down river.
The Golden Eagle had been doing a
languid business, supported only by To-
cal patronage, and the citizens of
Three Arrows were beginning to take
civic pride in preserving the peace.
Therefore, Sims occupation was gone,
and he had the more leisure to observe
Evelyn May.
It was this observation which an
noyed Evelyn. She felt herself under
suspicion and did not hesitate to show
Slim that she was aware of his official
scrutiny. She had taken up quarters
at the only abiding place for tran
sients, Mrs. Rafferty's lodging house
and cafe Mrs. Rafferty, had ruled
public opinion in Three Arrows for
many moons, but even she was placed
aloof from Evelyns confidence. She
would stand in the door of her kitchen
after lightsomely turning fried eggs
and bacon for her star boardeTs break
fast, and try her best to CLEAN some
personal information.
Its long way for girl Of your
age to be travelling alone" she said
one morning.
81 love to travel" said Evelyn, pleas
antly. SIS it very far up Kaska?" She
looked from the window at her right
hand at the great peak that seemed to
touch the morning clouds.
There's nothing to see when you
get up there" said Mrs Rafferty,.
"You want to go up or down the river
if you're looking for sights. There
amt nothing up there but Indians. 1t
gets pretty bare past timberline. You
wouldn't find pickings for wood
chuck"
Evelyn glanced at her with her first
show of interest.
do you know woodchucks?" she
asked, eagerly. "It's the first time
I'VE heard the word since came west.
and guess there arn't any out here"
Were both of us from Connectt-
cut" responded Mrs. Rafferty,. Come
from down east, do you?"
Evelyn retreated into her shell at
once, and only nodded. From the cor.
ner of her eye she could see Sims tall
figure shadowing the doorway.
Better put me up lunch, Mollie,"
he said to Mrs. Rafferty,, trying to ig-
more the presence at the table BY the
window. Were going up Kaska again
today Benson blew in last night and
they think they've struck a new
scent
Mrs. Rafferty, hustled around, carv-
ing deep slices Of boiled ham as she
talked.
"Well, hope to the lord. Slim Rog.
ers, that you never come within mile
Of shooting at him. II ever man de-
served what he got, it was Lone Duck.
He got so he thought he owned the
whole river front It wasn't just those
two fellows from the salmon fishery.
He'd about eight more to his credit,
Tom says, and then some. Did you
hear what the fight was about?
mean the one with the kid"
Slim helped himself to large cup
Of black coffee. knowing full well that
he had an audience.
They fought over an Indian girl.
Lone Duck came into camp drunk and
started to beat her up. Billie had been
prospecting around there for several
weeks, and | rather think the Duck
was afraid he had heard too much
from Neonta. Anyway, he tried to ST.
lence him forever. and the kid got in
first shot. Laws law, Mollie, you
know. Nice citizens you women folks
would make, wouldn't you, If you let
every curly-haired, blue-eyed young
ster get away with murder! There's
nine Of us going after him today and
Benson says he can lay his finger right
on him."
No one will ever know just what
took place >in Evelyn's mind at that
moment. She rose from her table and
went over to Mrs. Rafferty's side.
Cant I help you cut these sand
witches? I'd love to help" she said.
whereupon it naturally befell that
Mrs. Rafferty, introduced Slim.
Never in the sheriff's twenty-eight
years Of life had he encountered such
= l. ~ t.. l.