The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-02-07

was no cheer in the warmth. There
was little air in the upper strata, and
the clouds hung motionless. giving sui
len promise of an early snowfall And
the earth, unreSponsive, made no prep
aration. content in it's Information.
When the water hole was reached
BEETLES, having evidently reviewed the
quarrel during the silent walk, burst
out in a final "'Twa'n't called for"
while Lon McFane kept grim silence.
Indignation so choked him that he
could not speak.
Yet deep down, whenever their own
wrongs were not uppermOst. both men
wondered at their comrades. They
had expected opposition, and this tacit
acquiescence hurt them. 1t seemed
more was due them from the men they
had been so close with, and they felt
a vague sense of wrong, rebelling at
the thought of SO many of their broth
egs coming out, as an gala occasion,
without one word of protest, to see
them shoot each other down. 1t ap-
peared their worth had diminished in
the eyes of the community. The pro-
ceedings puzzled them.
Back to back, David. An will it
be fifty PAGES to the man or double
the quantity?'
Fifty" was the Sanguinary reply,
grunted out, yet sharply cut.
But the new manila, not prominent
ly displayed, but casually coiled about
Malemute Kids arm, caught the quick
eye of the Irishman and thrilled him
with a. suspicious fear.
"Afr, what are We dom with the
roper.
Hurry up"' Malemute Kid glanced
the cabin, and 1 don't want it to fall
Besides, my feet are getting cold"
The rest of the men manifested their
Impotence in various suggestive ways
But the rope, Kid? It's BRAN new,
an sure yer breads not that heavy it
needs raisin' with the like of that?'
BEETLES by this time had faced around.
Father Roubeau, the humOr of the sit
uation just dawning on him, hid a
smile behind his mittened hand.
"No, Lon; this rope was made for a
man." Malemute Kid could be very
impressive on occasion.
what MANI" BEETLES was becom-
ing aware of personal interest.
1.-THE other man."
can which is the one ye'd name by
that?'
Listen, Lon, and you, too, BEETLES.
We've been talking this trouble Of
yours over, and we've come to one
right to stop your fghting"-
"True for we, me lad"
land we're not going to, but this
much we can do and shall dO-make
this the only duel in the history Of
Forty Mile, set an example for every
che-cha-qua that comes up or down
the Yukon. The man who escapes
killing shall be hanged to the nearest
tree. Now, go ahead!"
Lon smiled obviously; then his face
lighted up. pace her off, David-fifty
paces-wheel an niver a cease firm
till a lads down for good. Ills their
hearts III niver let them do the deed,
an it's we'll We should know it for a
true Yankee bluff"
He started off with pleased grin on
his face, but Malemute Kid halted him.
Lion, it's long while since you first
knew me-"
"Many's the day."
"And you, Bettles?"
Give year next June high water
"And have you once in all that time
known me to break my word or heard
of me breaking it?"
Both men shook their heads, striving
to fathom what lay beyond.
"Well, then, what do you think Of
promise made by me?"
LAS good as your bond" from Bet
ties.
1.-THE thing to safely sling yer hopes
of heaven by" promptly Endorsed Lon
McFane.
Listen. 1, Malemute Kid, give You
my woodland you know what that
means-that the man who is not shot
stretches rope within ten minutes aft
er the shooting" He stepped back as
PLATE might have done after washing
his hands.
A pause and silence came over the
men of Forty Mile. The sky drew still
closer, sending down a crystal flight