The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1920-04-15

ais, lifted him shoulder-h1gh ana
threw him, as one throws a sack OF
meal. full at Colonel Pennington.
You threw me at him. Now
throw him at you. You damned,
thlevlng, greedy, hypocritical scoun-
drel, If it weren't for your years ana
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 en-
ployees about him.
Next" he roared. "Sfngly, In
pairs, or the whole damned pack"
"Mr. Cardigan"
He turned. Colonel Pennington's
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 uncles, but with
her violet eyes blazing tiercely on
Bryce Cardigan.
"How dare your" she cried. "You
coward! To hurt my uncle!"
He gaZed at her for moment
fiercely, defiantly his chest rising and
falling from his recent eXertions, his
knotted fists CORY with the blood of
his enemy. Then the light of battle
died, and he hung his head. "Pm
sorry" he murmured, mot for his
sake, but yours. l didn't know you
were here. I forgot-myself"
I'll never speak to you again so
long as l live" she burst out passion
ately.
He advanced a step and stood gaz-
ing down upon her Her angry glance
met his unflinchingly; and presently
for him the light went out of the
world.
every WELL" he murmured. Good
bye" And with bowed head he turned
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 woods-bully.
Colonel Pennington had been struck
to earth as effectually as if a fair-sized
tree had fallen on him, the last Whit
of breath had been driven from his
lungs; and for the space of minute,
during which Jules Rondeau lay heav-
lily across his midriff, the Colonel was
quite unable to get it back Pale,
gasping, and Jared from soul to sus-
penderS, he was merely aware that
something unexpected and disconcert-
ing had occurred,
While the Colonel fought for his
breath, his woodsmen remained in the
offing, paralyZed into inactivity by
reason of the swiftness and thorough
ness of Bryce Cardigan's work thel
Shirley motioned to them to remove
the wreckage, and they fastened t.
obey
Freed from the weight on th
geometric center of his being, Colonel
Pennington stretched his legs, rolled
his head from side to side, and snorteG
violently several times like buck
After the sixth snort he felt so much
better that a clear understanding of
the exact nature of the catastrophe
came to him: he struggled and sat up
looking around him a little wildly.
'Where-did - Cardigan - COZ" he
gasped.
One of his men pointed to the timbei
into which the enemy had Just dis
appeared.
Surround him-take him." Penning
ton ordered. TN give-a months
pay-to each of-the six men that
bring-that scoundrel 10 me- Get him
quickly! Understands"
Not a man moved. Pennington
shook with fury. Get him." he croak.
ed. There are enough of you to do
the job. Close in on hm-everybody.
I'll give months pay to-every-
body"
a man of that indscriminate mix
California as cholo swept the circle of
men with an alert and knowing glance.
His name was Fiavio ArteIan, but his
straight black hair dark russell com
pleXon. beady eyes. and hawk nose
gave him such resemblance to a
fowl that he was known among his fell
lows as the Black Minorca, regardless
Of the fact that this sobriquet was
scarcely fair to very excellent breed
of chicken. "That offers good enough
for me-" he remarked in businesslike
tones. Come on-everybody. A
months pay for five minutes work.
l wouldn't tackle the job with six men,
but there are twenty of us here"
Hurry" the Colonel urged them.
Shirley Summers flashing glance
rested upon the Black Minorca. "Don't
I you dare" she cried. "Twenty to
one! For shams!"
For months pay" he replied i'm
| pudently, and grinned evilly. "And
Pm takin' orders from my boss" He
started on dog-trot for the timber.
and dozen men trailed after him.
Shirley turned helplessly on her
uncle, seized his arm and shook it
frantically. Call them back! Call
them back!" she pleaded.
| Her uncle got uncertainty to his
feet. "Not on your life!" he growled,
and in his cold gray eyes there danced
the lights of thousand devils. Il told