Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1920-06-18
SOMEBODY'S PAL
BY ISABEL FROST.


that it regarded strangers in the light
of interlopers. Therefore, it kept one
eye on Evelyn May from the moment
she stepped from the river steamboat.
Another thing that did not add to
her immediate popularity was her reh-
cence.
Slim Rogers sized her up at long
distance from his point Of vantage on
the lean-to porch of Rafferty's shack.
In Three Arrows he was accounted
not only local sheriff, but also the
final court of appeals on the standing
of strangers. Slim had been rather
idle of late. A pail of monotonous
morality had fallen over the land i'm
mediately under his lawful guardian
ship. There had been no killings since
Christmas, when Lone Duck, from
Nome, had jubilantly picked off two
harmless salmon trimmers from q
tribe down river.
The Golden Eagle had been doing
a languid business, supported only by
local patronage.
It was this observation which an
noyed Evelyn. She felt herself under
Slim that she was aware of his official
scrutiny. She had taken up quarters
at the only abiding place for tram
sients, Mrs. Rafferty's lodging house
and cafe. Mrs. Rafferty, had ruled
public opinion in Three Arrows for
many moons.
"It's a long way for a girl Of your
age to be travelling alone" she said
one morning.
II love to travel" said Evelyn,
pleasantly. us it very far up Kas-
ka?" She looked from the window at
the great peak that seemed to touch
the morning clouds.
"There's nothing to see when you
get up there" said Mrs. Rafferty,.
you want to go up or down the river
if you're looking for sights"
Evelyn retreated into her shell at
once. From the corner Of her eye she
could see Sims tall figure shadowing
the doorway.
Better put me up lunch, MOllie, "
he said to Mrs. Rafferty,, trying to ig-
more the presence at the table by the
window. "We're going up Kaska
again today. Benson blew in last
night, and they think they've struck
a new scent"
Mrs. Rafferty, hustled around, carv-
ing deep slices of boiled ham as she
talked.
swell, hope to the lord, Slim Rog-
ers, that you never come within a
mile of shooting at him. If ever a
man deserved what he got, it was
Lone Duck. Did you hear what
the fight was about? mean the one
with the kid"
Slim helped himself to large cup
of black coffee, knowing full well that
he had an audience.
"They fought over an Indian girl.
Lone Duck came into camp drunk and
started to beat her up. Billie had been
prospecting around there for several
weeks, and 1 rather think the Duck
was afraid he had heard too much
from Neota. Anyway, he tried to 81
1ence him forever, and the kid got in
first shot. Laws law, Mollie, you
know"
No one will ever know just what
took place in Evelyn's mind at that
moment. She begged for the privilege
of riding up with him and the rest OF
the posse. He told her she could ride
until he asked her to turn back, and
she agreed to obey orders.
Slim had only known her for four
weeks, but before they had reached
the timberline he had forgotten the
vital Importance Of catching the Kid,
and was absolutely at the mercy Of
Evelyn May. He told her what life
might be like If she remained in the
Yukon country as the sheriffs bride.
''You'd make a wonderful pal for
somebody, Mr.. Rogers, but how about
being a husband? We're almost
strangers. You men Of the North do
your wooing rapidly"
"We have to-" said Slim, shortly,
cor they get away. It's fearful cli-
mate up here. A woman's got to have
a doggone good reason or she'd never
stay in it at ALL"
He stopped short. There came the
sound of rapid firing above them, then
the crashing, sliding grind of hoofs, as
q horse and rider dashed recklessly
down the mountain trail. Slim whip
ped his pistol out and aimed as the
boy shot past them, but Evelyn's
hands gripped his, and she buried her
teeth in the wrist that held the re-
yolver. It was over In an instant.
The kid was out Of sight already,
bound for safety, and Slim stood over
sobbing girl, looking at the blood
trickIing from his wrist. Somehow
his arm found its way around her
shoulder, while she told him of her
mission to Three Arrows.
The Kid was just her brother, nine
teen years old, and the baby of the
family back East. They had not
heard from him in months, and she
had come out alone to learn the rea-
son.
'Tm sorry, SLIM" she said, "that ]
hurt you. l didn't mean to. ] suppose
it's wrong to want him to get away
when he broke the law"
Slim smiled peacefully; the head of
Evelyn May leaned willingly against
his shoulder.