Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-12-08

4
Miss Simms." he said, "are you
going to marry Doctor CarlsenT"
Suddenly Rainey was aware that
some one had come into the cabin. Il
was Carlson. now swiftly advancing
toward him. his face livid, his mouth
snarling, and his black eyes devilish
with mischief.
"Fll attend to this end of It." he
said. Peggy, you had better go In TO
your father. I'll be in there in a min
ute. He's a pretty sick man." he
added.
His snarl had changed to a smile,
and he seemed to have swiftly con-
trolled himself.
'I'lI put you where you belong, you
HI do you mean by asking her that
question:"
That's my business"
"Ill make it mine. And I'll settle
yours very shortly, once and for all.
suppose you're soft on the girl your
SELF" he sneered. "Think yourself a
herO Do you think she'd look at you.
beggarIy newsmonger? Why, she"
you can leave her out of It," said
Rainey, quietly. "As for you, think
you're a dirty backyard"
Carlsen's hand shot back to his hip
pocket as Rainey's fist flashed through
the opening and caught him high on
the Jaw, sending him staggering back.
But his gun was out. AS he raised 1t
Rainey grappled with him. Carlson !
pulled trigger, and the bullet smashed |
through the skylight above them, while |
Rainey forced up his arm, twisting it |
fiercely with both hands until the gun
fell on the seat
simultaneously the girl and Lund
appeared.
"Gun-playf rumbled the giant.
'That'lI be you, Carlson You're too
fond of shooting off that gat of yores."
Rainey had stepped back at the
girls exclamation. Carlson recovered
his gun and put 1t away, while Peggy
Simms advanced with blazing eyes.
"You coward" she said. "If l had
y
"Pl show you whether Pm a cow |
ard or not, my lady," he said, before
| get through with all of you. And
I'll tell you one thing: The captains
life Is in my hands. And he and are
the only navigators aboard this vessel,
except a fool of blind man." he add
ed, as he strobe to the door of Simms'
cabin. turned to look at them, laughed
in their faces and shut
The door on them.
"Well?" asked Lund, "what are you
goln' to do about it, Rainey? Stick
with me. or line up with the rest of
EN-, work yore passage, an thank em
'or nothing when they divvy the stuff
IN leave you out?'
you haven't said outright what you
Ire going to do Yourself" replied
2ainey. "As for me, seem to be be-
ween the devil and the deep sea. Carl
zen has got some plan to outwit the
men. It's inconceivable that he'll be
Wiling to give them equal shares. And
lie has no use for me-"
"You ought to have grabbed that gun
# his before he did," said Lund. He'll
'ut you out of the way if he can, but,
low his temper's billed over bit, he'll
Ot shoot you. Not afore the COLDS in
he hold.
'As for me-" he went on, his voice
81 found this gold. an they
idn't. / don't have to divvy with EN-,
n | won't. If emmy of 'em thinks he's
~ equal all he's got to do is say so.
n I'll give him a chance to prove it.
eel those arms, matey. size me up.
Ian to man, | c'ud break emmy three
f 'em in half. Put me in room with
my three of EN-, an the door locked,
n one 'ud come out. That nd be me-" "
This was not Dragging, not buster ii
e, but calm assurance, and Rainey n
1T that Lund merely stated what he u
elieyed to be facts. And Rainey be- - -
eyed they were facts. There was II
,nfident strength of spirit aside from
S PHYSICAL condition that emanated pl
ON Lund as steam comes from ket- al
e. 1t was the sort of strength that VC
y In steady gale, wind that one -
N lean against, an elastic power 70
It'll big reserves of force. But the la
HultiOIiS WcIt ui .uSuiuSl iSuuu, W
ough he proceeded to put them IN
ide. :.
MAN to man." he repeated. 81 c'ud M
at 'em into Hamburg steak. An I've fir
t brains enough to fool Carlson. I've tel
tguessed him so far" tol
Hes got the gum" warned Rainey. WI
''Never mind his gun. amt afraid N
his gum" He nodded. with such SUI
eme confidence that Ralney felt
nself suddenly RELOCATING the doc xo
Is nossesslOn OF the gun TO the -.