The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-04-27
Both Dead. Gripped Together.

one enueavorlng to reach the woman,
either inspired by good or evil intent.
Yet which was the guard? which the
invader? Those who had accompanied
the Kid at the ranch were all Indians,
and 1t was therefore most likely that n
savage had been left to watch over
the girl. Then 1t was the white man
who thus sought to reach her. For
what purpose2
Shelby bent down and peered in
quiringly 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 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 a match, and the recOl-
lection came back haunting him-the
fellow was Sagin, 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 alb
sence, to carry out some foul object of
his own.
The ranchman drew in long
breath, and stood up. The silence and
gloom oppressed him, as his eyes once
more swept about the dismal apart
ment. 1t was surely 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,
flinging over them the folds of 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. 1t must be that Macklin
had not yet returned, and that Hanley
knew nothing of Slagin's desperate
venturG 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 II free Of the
clasps, and pushed the door opeo with
his knee, watchfully peering into the
darkness behind. He saw nothing. nc
dutter of movement, no evidence that
the place was occupied. In spite OF
daylight without, the room. with Its
suffered windows, remained black
His heart almost ceased to beat, YET
he advanced into the room. flingins
the door wide open behind him. This
admitted sufficient light to enable hin
to dlmly make out his surroundings
couch, covered with bearskln. a
rudely made chair, bucket Of water
In one corner, and family revealed
figure against the further wall.
"Olga!" he exclaimed, "Olgal"
She moved, leaning forward eagerly
"Who are you? Who calls me?"
1T Is you, then?" he sprang forward
Don't be afraid; am Shelby!"
"Shelby-you! Tom Shelby! c
God this is not dream?"
mo, no! l am just as real as you
are. See; touch me. You thought
was dead?"
Her hands were In his own; hel
eyes, still incredulous. searching his
face in the dim light.
"Dead-yes! They told me so; ar
Indian said he had crushed in your
skull. He boosted of it; and when
asked that Macklin, he only laughed
when he said It was So"