Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-03-27

| E i 4
Elliot read this just as he was 1eav.
i ing for the Willow Creek camp. he
thrust the paper impatiently into his
coat pocket and swung to the saddle.
Why did they prosecute him? He had
told nothing but the truth, nothing not
required Of him by the simplest, ele-
mental honesty. Yet he was treated
as an outcast and criminal. The in
Justice of it was beginning to rankle.
He was temperamentally IAN opti-
J! mist, but depression rode with him to
the gold camp and did not lift from his.
4 spirits till he started back next day for
Kusiak. The news had been flashed by
wire all over the United States that he
was crook. His friends and relatives
could give no adequate answer to the
i fact that an indictment hung over his
head. In Alaska he was already con-
victed by public opinion.
In the late afternoon, while Gordon
was still fifteen miles from Kusiak,
his horse fell lame. He led it limping
to the cabin of some miners.
There were three of them, and they
had been drinking heavily from jug
Of whisky left earlier in the day by
the stage-driver. Gordon was in two
minds whether to accept their surly
permission to stay for the night, but
the lameness of his horse decided him.
Not caring to invite their hostility,
he gave his name as Gordon instead OF
Elliot. He was to learn within the
i hour that this was mistake number
4 two.
From pocket Of the coat he had
thrown on bed protruded the news
paper Gordon had brought from Ku-
siak. One Of the men, a big red-head-
ed fellow, pulled 1t out and began sulk-
lily to read,
While he read the other two bick-
cred and drank and snarled at each
other. All three of the men were In
that stage Of drunkenness when a
quarrel is likely to flare up at mo-
ments notice.
! "Listen here" demanded the man
with the newspaper. .9Tell you what,
boys, I'm going to wiring the neck Of
that pussyfooting spy Elliot If ever
get chanct."
He read aloud the editorial in the
Sun. After he had finished, the 9TH
ers Joined him in chorus Of curses.
II always did hate spy-and this
ones murderer too. Why don't some
one fill his hide with lead?" one Of the
men wanted to know.
Redhead was sitting at the table. He
thumped heavy fist so hard that the
tin cups jumped. "Gimme crack at
| him and I'll show youI"
A shadow fell across the room. In
the doorway stood a newcomer. Cor
don had sensation as IL q lump Of ice
had been drawn down his spine. For
the man who had just come in was Big
Bill Macy, and he was looking at the
field agent with eyes IN which amaze
ment, anger and triumph blazed.
.1rm glad to death to meet up with
you again, Mr.. Elliot" he jeered.
Seems like old times on Wild Goose
"What you say his name is?" cut In
the man with the newspaper.
Hasn't he introduced himself,
boys7" Macy answered with cruel
grin. "Now, amt that modest Of him ?
You lads are entertaining that we'll
known deteckative and spy, Gordon
Elliot, that renowned king Of hold
ups"
The red-headed man interrupted
with a howl Of rage. 'If you're telling
It straight, Bill Macy, I'll learn him to
spy on me-"
Elliot was sitting on one Of the beds.
He had not moved an inch since Macy
had appeared, but the brain behind his
live eyes was taking stock Of the situ-
alton. Big Bill blocked the doorway.
The table was in front Of the window.
Unless he could fight his way out, there
was no escape for him. He was
trapped.
Quietly Gordon looked from one to
another.
'Tm not spying on you. Ny horse
ID lame. You can see that for your
self. All I asked was a nights lodg-
ing
Under another name than your own,
you cussed sneak"
The field agent did not understand
the fury Of the man, because he did
not know that these miners were work
ing the claim under a defective title
and that they had jumped to the con-
clusion that he had come to get EVIL
dence against them. But he knew that
never In his life had he been in a tight
er hole. In another minute they would
attack him. Whether it would run
to murder he could not tell. At the
best he would be hammered helpless.
But no evidence of this knowledge
appeared in his manner.
II didn't give my last name because
there is prejudice against me in this
country" he explained in an even
voice.
He wondered as he spoke if he had
better try to fling himself through the
window sash. There might be a re-
mote chance that he could make it.
The miner at the table killed this /
possibility by rising and standing
squarely in the road.
"Look QUIT Hes got a gats
warned Macy.
Gordon fervently wished he had. But
he was unarmed While his eyes