Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-03-11

/ a fight to the finish, for no man
would interfere; striking. kicking
gougtng. biting, or choking would not
lie looked upon as unsportsmaniike;
and az Bryce backed cautiously away
! from the huge, 1.-THE, active, and pow
rful man before him, he realized
that Jules Rondeau was, ~ his ia
Their had stated, top dog among the
lumherjacks,"
Rondcau, II was apparent, had no
stomach for Bryce's style OF combat.
ne wanted rough -and-tumblc iight
and kept rushing, hoping TO clinch:
IL he could hut get his great hands
IN Rrycc he would wrestle him down
climb him. and finish the fight IN JIG
time. Rut a rough and tumble was
exactly what Bryce was striving 70
avoid: hence when Rondeau rushed,
Pryce SIDE stepped and peppered the
woodsmans ribs.
suddenly two powerful hands were
placed between Bryco's shoulders, Ell
,actually hating his backward prog
rcss: then he was propelled violently
forward until he collidcd with Ron
leau. VIII a below of triumph. the
woods boss arIls were around Bryce
swinging him until he faced lie man
~ no had forced him into that icrrtole
"trip. This was no less personaRt
than Colonel Seth Pennington and II
Nns obvious he had takcu "h"'Ge o.
what he considered the obsequles,
stand back, YOU men, a"u 1--WE
.hrm room" he shouted. "RondG'"
will take care of him now. stan"
nack, say. I'll discharge the man
hat iufcrrcres."
With heave and a grun; Ronued u
lifted lis antagonist, ;he pair wen
crashing to the earth together
Bryce underneath. And then some
thing happened. With a howl OF pam
Rondeau rolled over or his back ana
lay clasping his left wrist in ms
right hand. while Bryce scrambled 10
his feet.
THE good old wristIock does the
trick" he announced: and STOPPING
he grasDed the woods boss ty the
collar with his left hand lifted him
md struck him a terrible blow in the
face with his right. But for the arm
rNat unheld him, Rondeau wouio
ave fallen. To have him fall. how
yer was not part Of Bryce's plan.
Jerking the fellow toward him ne
passed his arm around Rondeaus
neck, holding the lattnr's head as in
= wise with the crook OF his elbow.
And then the battering started. When
( was finished, Bryce let his man 60
and Rondeau. bloody. sobhing, and
semi-conscious, sprawled on the
ground.
Bryce bent over him. Now damn
YOU" he roared. who fe''ed that tree
in CardiCar's redwoods?"
~ did M'sieur. Enough con-
Foss'" The words were a whisper.
did Colonel Pennington suggest it
o vou?"
He want ze hurl. BY gar do not
want TO feIlazat tree
"Thets all want to know" Stoop-
'rg. Bryce seized Rondeau by the
rapn of the neck and the slack OF
his overalls. lifted him shoulder-hieh
md threw him. os one throws sack
# meal. full at Colonel Pennington.
"You threw me at him. Now I
throw him at you. You damned.
thieving, greedy. hvpocritical scoun-
drel. If it weren't for your years and
YOUR gray hair, I'd kill you"
The helpless hulk of the woods
| boss descended uron the coloneTs ex-
oansive chest and sent him crashing
aarthward. Then Bryce, war-mad,
turned to face .he ring Of Laguna
Grardn employees about him.
Next" he roared. "Singly. in
pairs. or tho whole damned pack"
"Nr. 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
gaspine like . hooked fish Beside
him Shirley Sur'rar was freeli-g.
her hands clasp'ng her unole's. but
- Dryre Cardigan.
How dHre you?' she cried. "You
coward, To hurt nv uncle"
He gaz"d ~ her for. moment
1ercelv. defnr-ly. his great chest
rising and "a ling from his recent ex-
ertions. his knotted fists CORY with
the blood of his enemy. Then the
lirht Of battle died. and he hung his
head. I'm sorry" he murmure6.
mot for his sake, but yours. !
didn't know you were here forgot
myself"
IN never speak to You arain AS
long as live" she burst ont passion
ately.
He advanced a step and stood gaz-
ing down upon her. Her, angry
glance met his unfiinchingly: and
presently for him the light went out
of the word.
Very well" he murnured. Good
bye And with bowed head he
turned and made off thru the green
timber toward his own logging-camp
five miles distant.
With the descent upon his breas,
of the limp body of his big woods.
bully, Colonel Pennington had been
struck TO earth as effectually as IL
fair sized tree had fallen upon him
the last Whit Of breath had been
driven from mis- lungs; and for the
space of a minute. during which
Jules Rondeau lay heavily across his
midriff, the Colonel was quite una bic
to get it back Pale, gaspng. and
ial I- ,-ji' from sui ~ sus perpiers. ire
was merely aware that something
Cured.
While the Colonel fought for his
breath. his woods men remained in
the offing, paralyzed into inactivity
by reason of the swiftness of Bryce
Cardigans work; then Shirley