Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-04-23

an. 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 wise with the
crook of his elbew. And then the bat
tering started. When it was finished,
Bryce let his man go, and Rondeau,
bloody. Sobbing. and semi-consciOus,
sprawled on the ground
Bryce bent over him. "NOw. damn
you" he roared "who felled that tree
in Cardigan's redwoods?"
II did, Msieur. Enough con-
fesS"' The words were a whisper.
Did Colonel Pennington suggest 1t
to you?"
"EIe want re burl. BY gar, do not
want to fell Eat tree"
"That'S all l 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 sack OF
meal, full at Colonel Pennington.
"You threw me at him. Now l
throw him at you. You damned,
thieving, greedy. hypocritlcal 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 upon the Coloners eXpan-
Sive chest and sent him crashing earth
ward. TEen Bryce, war-nad. turned
to face the ring of Laguna Grande EN-
/ ployees about him.
Next" he roared. "Singly, 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-
scio,lS woOtls-bOSs, and he lay inert,
gasping like hooked fish. Beside
him Shirley Sumner was kneeling, her
hands claSping her uncle's. but with
her violet eyes blazing tiercely on
Bryce Cardigan.
"How dare you?" 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. I'm
SORRY" he murmured, mot for his
sake but yours. I didn't know you
were here. forgOt-myself."
"I'll never speak to you again so
long as l live" she burst out passion
ately.
He advanced step and stood gaz-
ing down upon her. Her angry glance
met his untlinchingly; 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 cffectually as if Il 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
gaspng, 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 Cardgan's work. then
Shirley motloned to them to remove
the wreckage, and they FASTENED to
obey.
Freed from the weight on the
geOmetric center of his being. Colonel
Pennington stretched his legs. rolled
his head from side to side, and snorted
violently several times like Il 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 little wildly.
"Where--did - Cardigan -go?" he
gasped.
One of his men pointed to the timber
into which the enemy had just dis
appeared.
"Surround him--take him." Penning
ton ordered "Tll give-a months
pay-to each Of--the six men that
bring-thut scOundrel to me. Get him
quickly Understand"
Not man moved. Pennington
shook with fury. Get him." he croak
ed. There are enough of you to do
the job. Close in on him-everybody
I'll give months pay to--every-
body"
A man of that .ndiscrminate mix
ture Of Spaniard and Indian known III
California as cholo swept the circle OF
men with an alert and knowing glance
His name was FlnviO Artelan. but hi-
straight black hair, dark russell com
plexion, beady eyes. and hawk nose
gave him such resemblance to