Gilpin observer., 1918-06-27

maCOOu0IOs
The Scotch Canadian stood at the
edge Of Willow grove. His face was
grim a. the day Of judgment.
"Don't move" he ordered.
Elliot laughed irritably. He was both
annoyed and disgusted.
"What do you want1" he snapped.
sYou."
sWhat's worrying you nowf Do you
think I'm jumping my bondr'
"You're going back to Kusiak with
me-to give q life for the one you
took.v
whats thatr cried Gordon. sur
prised.
"Just a. I'm telling you. I've been
on your heels ever since you left town.
You and Holt are going back with me
as my prisoners.v
"But what forr
"For robbing the bank and killing
Robert Milton, as you know well
enough.v
''Is this another plan arranged for
me by you and Selfridger' demanded
Elliot.
Macdonald ignored the question and
lifted his voice. "Come out Of that
tent, Holland come with your hands
up unless you want your head blown
off.v
"Holt isn't in that tent, you idiot. II
you want to know"
"Come now, II you expect to come
alvey cut In the Scotsman ominously.
He raised the rifle to his shoulder and
covered the shadow thrown by the sun
on the figure within.
Gordon flung out a wild protest and
threw the frozen slab of bacon at the
head Of Macdonald. With the same mo-
tion he launched his own body across
the stove. A fifth of second earlier
the tent flap had opened and Sheba
had come out.
The sight Of her paralyzed Macdon-
aid and saved her lovers life. It dis
tracted the mine-owner long enough
for him to miss his chance. A bullet
struck the stove and went of at
tangent through the tent canvas not
two feet from where Sheba stood. A
second went speeding toward the sun.
For Gordon had followed the football
players instinct and dived for the
knees Of his enemy.
They went down together. Each
squirming for the upper place, they
rolled over and over. The rifle was
forgotten. Like cave men they fought,
crushing and twisting each others
muscles with the bind lust of primor-
dials to kill. Az hey clinched with
one arm, they struck savagely with the
other. The impact Of smashing blows
on naked flesh sounded horribly cruel
to Sheba.
She ran forward, calling on each by
name to stop. Probably neither knew
she was there. Their whole attention
was focused on each other. Not for
an instant did their eyes wander. for
life and death hung on the issue.
Chance had lit the spark Of their re-
sentiment, but long-banked passions
were blazing fiercely now.
They got to their feet and fought toe
to toe. Sledge-hammer blows beat upon
bleeding and disfgured faces. No
thought of defense as yet was in the
mind Of either. The purpose Of each
was to bruise, main, make helpless the
other. But for the impotent little cries
Of Sheba no sound broke the stiffness
save the crunch of their feet on the
hard snow, the thud Of heavy fists on
flesh, and the throaty snarl of their
deep, irregular breathing.
Gid Holt, from the window Of the
cabin, watched the battle with shining
eyes. He exulted in every blow Of
Gordon; he suffered with him when
the smashing rights and lefts Of Mac
donald got home. He shouted jeers
advice. threats, encouragement. If he
had had ten thousand dollars wagered
on the outcome he could not have been
more excited.
saltwater Peter, drawn by the
cries Of Sheba, came running from the
stable. AS he passed the window, Holt
caught him by the arm.
"What are you aimin' to do, Peter
Let 'em alone. Let 'em 60 to 1t. They
got to have 1t out. Stop 'em now and
they'll get at 1t with guns
Sheba ran up. wringing her hands.
"Stop them, please. They're killing
each other"
sNothing of the kind. girl. You let
'em alone, Pete. The kids there every
minute, amt her Gee. that's a good
one. boy. en-eleven-ninety-t two.
'Attaboyi"
Macdonald had slipped on the snow
and gone down to his hands and knees.
Swift as a wildcat the younger man
was on top Of him. Hampered though
he was by his parka, the Scotsman
struggled slowly to his feet again. He
was much the heavier man, and in
spite of his years the stronger. The
muscles stood out in knots on his
shoulders and across his back, whereas
on the body Of his more slender oppo-
nent they flowed and ripplcd in round
ed symmetry. Active as a heather cat,