The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1920-01-21

~ WuO 0uCu y uIBut 10 tuIS IsC uuU
Just returned from the drive, as they
were doing now. But then 1t had been
the Upper Nashwaak--not Cross Or elk
land they had stopped to celebrate
their freedom at Stanley. OF cou.se.
he had sworn to let the bottle alone,
and in those days his word was as
good as his bond. But what If h. had
been fool. and his intractable enemy.
had got the better Of him?
Hadn't man right to kick over
the traces once In while without be-
ing called to account7 still, he
shouldn't have gone to Madge in that
condition-he knew that. But he had
only meant to catch a glimpse Of her
through the window, until he saw that
she had company. Even then he might
have restrained his Jealous rage If Nc
knight hadn't looked at her the way
he did. and she hadn't played and sung
those very songs she always sang for
him.
Every one knew that Mcknight was
after her, too. though he had never let
that fact worry him before. It had
ended with his entering and creating
a scene that no self-respecting girl
could overlook. He could see the ex-
preston Of pain and pity in her eyes
now, hear Hugh's quiet words Of rea-
son, see himself tumble for his clasp
knife, and have 1t jerked from his
shaking fingers. Then, as he was leav-
ing. he had sworn to ''get even."
That, at least, was an oath he had
never forgotten. AS he sank lower
and lower 1t had become more and
more Of an observation-disclosures the one
ambition Of his bestial existence. What
was he waiting for? Curse the music !
1t was vengeance, not regret he wished
to dwell on.
The song came to an end. and he
slowly rose to his feet. Bud and Lefty
would be covering in the shadows.
cursing his delay. Before he had taken
three steps, however. singers sweet
voice held him again. OF all the dear
songs that Madge had sung to him,
1.-THE Banks Of Loeb Lomond" was the
dearest, the one most pregnant with
his passion and with stifled oath he
leaned against the wall and surren-
dered himself to it's spell.
| You take the high road and I'll take the
low road l.
She seemed to be there in person
pleading with his warped soul as she
had pleaded in the past, reminding
him of all those shattered promises
and the love he had forfeited.
The monograph whirred and
stopped. A draft caused the lamps
to flare and smoke, and
up with yer paws. you louis !" came
a harsh, nasal voice.
Angus North awoke with an mar.
ticulate shout, and sprang toward the
door, where two muffled figures were
standing with leveled pistols. The log
gers had jumped to their feet, and q
few were obeying the order. But the
boss was not Of this number. For all
his big frame, he had brain and body
trained for sudden action, and scarce
ly had the words left Buds mouth be
fore he was charging recklessly dOwr
the camp.
Luckily for him the stranger wal
nearer the door, and as Lefty's finger
contracted on the trigger he threw
himself between them. At the report
North pitched on his face, and Nc
knight, clearing his body without 6
pause, was upon the robbers before
they could fire again. Lefty wen
down before the knotted fist as If HI
had been struck by peavey, ant
though Bud made an effort to dodge
he was caught by an arm and crumplet
violently to the floor. A dozen rOugl
hands made further resistance impos
sible.
Then the boss dropped beside tn
man who interposed and gently raise'
his head. The bullet had bored through
his right shoulder, but without touch
ing the bone:
"Tm done for. Hugh" announces
the tramp without emotion.
The boss started. "By Jove it's An
gus North I" he cried, and he stared 4
amazement at the wreck Of his one
time friend.
"Sure thing. Come back ter stay"
"An' jest in the nick o. time, tor
He'd have winged me, I guess. II We
hadn't got In the way"
The woOdsman Is not demonstrativ'
and the tone rather than the word
evidenced the gratitude he felt for tn
act. North's weak features suddenl
hardened.
Don't fool yourself. It was for he
: sake done 1t. had meant them te
kill yer, but-but that pesky phone
: graph got me all balled UP an butte
in fore l knew what was erbou
Give me a drink. some one"
The cook ran for mug of waite
and Mcknight held him higher as b
drank.
II had no idea yer held grude
! against me. Angus. ! only did my dut
that night, an I've been tryin' ter do
| c,,~~ SlyCo ModOo vnofo mo Vesitp