The state herald., 1917-02-16

'athsr Wood for the Fire.
He lodged the blade. clutched tho
chiefs wrist. and closed. He whipped
his heel round Katcalani's knee and
tripping him. fell on top Of him. But
the Indian was agile a. q panther, and
he rolled over. Then Royce was ON
top. then the Indian broke free. Then
the men circled and feinted and finally
clinched again. went to earth again,
rolled. broke. rose. and clinched. curs
ing and grunting In mortal hatred.
Freneau from the thicket where he
hid witnessed the fight: watched 1t in
fascination . moment. At length.
seeing that the battle had carried
the two warriors away from Gloria's
vicinity. he made 80 bold a. to run
to where she lay. and pick her up.
Her eyes opened. She found her
self In his arms. She stared. then
recognised him. He was like .
rescuing angel. She embraced him
with . little wall Of gratitude and
alteration. She had not seen Royce
at all. Freneau led her away from
the struggle down twisting path to
the landing place. where the Semi
mole guide waited for him.
He helped Gloria into the canoe and
ordered the guide to push out into the
bayou. II he felt any impulse to go
back to the aid Of Royce. he sup
pressed II, for Gloria's sake. He ne
elected even to mention that Royce
was even then in death grapple with
Katcalani. It would only have ex.
cited the trembling child still further
Indeed. when Gloria poured forth her
gratitude to Freneau for his fearless.
ness In her behalf. he shrugged his
shoulders and smiled. He was too
much the gentleman to contradict .
lady.
The Indian pulled his, dugout along
tho tortuous channels, until finally II
was hailed from the shore. Glorias
father and brother had caught sight
Of them.
When Gloria was landed and in her
fathers arms. she told what hideouA
danger Mr.. Freneau had saved her
from. Then Pierpont embraced the
young man. and David wrung his
hands. forgetting that they had lately
been Jealous rivals for Lois Fteeman's
smiles.
Royce and Katcaiani fought on
without thought Of truce. Katcaiani
could have brought help by crying out,
but he had the knife and he would mot
bring his people to sec him worsted
BY an empty handed white man.
Royce had the skill Of college wrest.
Ter. the coolness Of surgeon. and the
determination OF lover. But he was
dulled with fatigue and wearing down
rapidly. At last. however. he broke
FREQ and stood OF for Q moments
breath. Katcalani. dripping with
sweat. and . little dizzy with the
struggle. went at him TO fnish him.
He ran like a wolf and leaped like
. wolf. But he ran straight into .
most beautiful uppercut. Before the
point Of his knife could reach DR..
Royce. the point Of his Jaw met
Royce's hst. The world went to
pieces in an earthquake. and II was
some minutes before Katcalani found
himself lying nat on his back with no
enemy in sight.
Royce had picked up the huife ans
turned to Gloria. She was not there
He nearly fell down with amaxemcnt
Then he caught sight Of something
moving near the waters edge. He
staggered - fast % he could through
the underbrush. He reached tho shore
In ume to see Gloria and Preneau IN
the dugout Just rounding . barrier Of
saw grass. He ran along xhc shore.
trying to get near. He was glad that
she was safe. and II chssred him
no little 10 feel that he had been able
to do something to earn . place In
her heart.
He hurried on and on. At last hs
came TO . clearing and found the
Staffords holding . family reunion.
Pierpont had his arm about Freneau.
Gloria was clinGinG to Freneau's
hand. She told Dr.. Royce that
Freneau had saved her from worse
than death. Royce looked st Ere.
neau 10 hear him toll tho truth.
Frcncau did not spcaks Royce
could not. hc was too tagged IN
muscle and soul. And II was not his
custom to boast Of his prowcss.
Hs simply could not lay claim
to their gratitude. Aftcr all Fro
neau had restored Gloria to their
arms. He turned away with . wry
smile. Tho StARords were sorry TINT
he should permit jealousy Of Frcncau
10 embitter him. II hurt 0loria %.
pecialiy. She had liked Dr.. Royce -
weli.
Mae ~ -.