The Mena weekly star., 1920-08-19
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 climb him, and finish the fight fin jig time But rough-and-tumble was exactly what Bryce was striving to- avoid; hence when Rondeau rushed. Bryce side-stepped and peppered the woodsman's ribs.
 Suddenly two powerful hands were placed between Bryce's shoulders, ef fectually halting his backward prog ress; then he was propelled violently forward until he collided with Ron deau. With below of triumph. the woods-boss's arms were around Bryce, swinging him until he faced the man who had forced him Into that terrible grip. This was no less a parsonage than Colonel Seth Pennington, and 1t was obvious he had taken charge of what he considered the obsequies.
 Stand back, you men, and give them room" he shouted. "Rondeau will take care of him now. Stand back, I say I'll discharge the man that interferes."
 With heave and grunt Rondeau lifted his antagonist, the pair went crashing to the earth together, Bryce underneath. And then something hap pened. With howl of pain, Rondeau rolled over on his back and lay clasp ing his left wrist in his right hand, while Bryce scrambled to his feet.
 "The good old wrist-Iock does the trick" he announced and stooping, he grgsped the woods-boss by the col lar with his left hand. lifted him, and struck him terrible blow in the face with his right. But for the arm that upheld him. Rondeau would have fall en. To have him fall, however, was not part of Bryces plan. Jerking the fellow toward him, he passed his arm around Rondeau's neck, holding the latter's head as In a vise with the crook of his elbow. And then the bat terIng started. When 1t was finished, Bryce let his man go, and Rondeau, bloody, sobljing. and semi-conscious, sprawled on the ground.
 Bryce bent over him. Now. damn you" he roared, "who felled that tree In Cardlgan's redwoods?
 q did, M'sieur. Enough con fess r The words were a whisper.
 Did Colonel Pennington suggest 1t to your
 He want ze burl. By gar. I do not want to fell zat tree"
 That's all want to know" Stoop- ing, Bryce seized Rondeau by the nape of the neck and the slack of his over alls. lifted him shoulder-high and threw him. as one throws il sack of meal, full at Colonel Pennington.
 "You threw me at him. Now throw him at you. You damned, thievlng, greedy, hypocritical scoun- drel, if 1t weren't for your years and your gray hair. I'd kill you
 The helpless hulk of the woods-boss descended upon the Coloners expan- sive chest and sent him crashing earth ward Then Bryce, war-mad. turned to face the ring of Laguna Grande em- ployees about him.
 "Nextr' he roared. "Singly, in pairs, or the whole damned packw
 'Mr Cardiganw
 He turned. Colonel PenningtonAs breath had been knocked out of his body by the impact of his semi-con- scious woods-boss, and he lay inert, gasping like a hooked fish. Beside him Shirley Sumner was kneeling, her hands claspIng her uncle's. but with her violet eyes blazing ficrcely on Bryce Cardigan.
 How dare you?" she cried. "you coward To hurt my unclei''
 He gazed at her for moment. flercely, defiantly, his chest rising and falling from his recent exertions, his knotted fists gory with the blood of his enemy. Then the light of battle died. and he hung his head. I'm sorry," he murmured, mot for his sake, but yours. l didn't kpow you were here. I forgot-myself:"
 "I'll never speak to you again so long as I live" she burst out passion ately.
 He advanced step and stood gag ing down upon her. Her angry glance met his unfiinchingly; and presently for him the light went out Of the world.
 Very we'll" he murmured. Good bye.' And with bowed head he turnea and made off through the green timber toward his own logging-camp five miles distant.
 With the descent upon his breast of the limp body of his big woodsbully. Colonel Pennington had been struck to earth as effeetually as if a fair-sized tree had fallen on him, the last whiff of breath had been driven from his lungs; and for the space of a minute during which Jules Rondeau lay heav- fly across his midriff, the Colonel was quite unable to get 1t back. Pale. gaspng. and jared from soul to sus- penders, he was merely aware that something unexpected and disconcert. ing had occurred.
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