The St. Johns herald., 1921-07-14


 who thus sought to reach her. For what purpose?
 Shelby bent down and peered in- quiringIy into the agonized face of the dead white man. The features were discolored, distorted from the agony in which he had died, the lips drawn back, disclosing a grinning row Of teeth. The face scarcely appeared human, and yet was vaguely familiar. He had seen 1t once before, revealed in the glare of match, and the recol- lection came back haunting him-tne fellow was Slagin, Hanley's partner. Then he had come there for no good! Had come there in the night like a sinking cur, knowing of Macklin's ab- sence, to carry out some foul object Of his own.
 The ranchman drew in a long breath, and stood up. The silence and gloom oppressed him, as his eyes once more swept about the dismal apart ment. It was surely a fit abode for murder, but the sight of those two dead bodies interlocked on the floor was more than he could bear. Obey ing the first impulse he dragged them, still gripping each other, across the floor, and thrust them under the bench, finging over them the folds of a tat tered blanket.
 But what of her-Olga? Surely no one could have been here since these two men fought? Otherwise their bodies would have been found, and cared for. It must be that Macklin had not yet returned, and that Hanley knew nothing of Slagin's desperate venture. Then the girl must still be confined in the house, helpless to es- cape and guarded by these dead men. The thought sent the blood surging into Shelby's throat, and his eager eyes sought the only door opening through the side wall. It was tightly closed and secured by a strong bar of wood. He picked up the revolver from the floor, and went swiftly for ward, prepared to face whatever might be revealed beyond. The bar fitted snugly, yet he forced it free of the clasps, and pushed the door open with his knee, watchfully peering into the darkness behind. He saw nothing, no fiutter of movement, no evidence that the place was occupied. In spite of daylight without, the room, with its shuttered windows, remained black. His heart almost ceased to beat, yet he advanced into the room, fiinging the door wide open behind him. This admitted sufficient light to enable him to dimly make out his surroundings a couch covered with a bearskin, rudely made chair, bucket of water in one corner, and faintly revealed figure against the further wall.
 "OlgaI' he exclaimed, "OlgaF r
 She moved, leaning forward eagerly.
 "Who are you? Who calls meT
 "It is you. thenT' he sprang forward. Don't be afraid; I am Shelby"
 "Shelby-youI Tom ShelbyI O God this is not dream2"
 'eNo, no! I am just as real as you are. See; touch me. You thought | was dead?"
 Her hands were in his own; her eyes, still incredulous, searching his face in the dim light
 'eDead-yesI They told me so; an Indian said he had crushed in your skull. He boasted of it; and when l asked that Macklin, he only laughed when he said 1t was so."
 Laughed, how?"
 Her eyes fell.
 "He-he didn't seem to think 1t could make much difference to me; that I would care."
 "But do you know who he is2 Did he tell you? Did the fellow explain his purpose in this outrage%
 'T do not know; he had no time, no opportunity; we were never alone. What do you mean? Was this all done for some deliberate purpose7"
 ''Yes, it was, Olga. His name is not Macklin at all; it is probably Churchill have you ever heard that name be- fore?"
 'No; am sure not"
 "It was your mothers name. She came from Virginia, and was heiress to considerable property. It was left to her in trust, and her uncle was the trustee"
 "My motherT'
 "Yes; she never knew this while she lived, but your father learned some of the facts after her death, and en- deavored to verify them. His search was what started trouble; for your uncle, the trustee-his name is Cor nelius Churchill-had made no effort to locate the heir to the property left in his care. Instead he had used the money, believing himself perfectly safe. When he learned of your ia. | 4ho-,a SuSnioiiS.1s ho hnoamn friOht