American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1921-04-15
o TWO-yHE DEBT.

CHAPTER L.-Dan, now thoroughly
proficient in woods lore, learns from Len
nox that an organized band OF outlaws
of which Bert Cranston Is the leader, ID
making trouble in the vicinity. Landry
HIldreth, a former member of the gang,
has been induced to turn states evidence.
On his way to the city Hildreth Is way
laid by Cranston, shot, and left for dead
Cranston, however, overlooked the fact
that Hildrcth might have documentary
evidence on his person, and is satsneo
that his enemy will never reach the city
to tell what he knows of the operations
of the gang.
CHAPTER ia cougar, on a personal
hunting expedition. finds Hildreth IN a
thicket, where he had crawled after pc
ing shot by Cranston. The cougar mn
ishes Cranston's work, and In striking
down man becomes a forest outlaw.
Failing, on his way home from a WISH
TO 'snowbird's" lookout station, comes
upon Cranston in the act of starting q
forest fire. The men quarrel and hght'
Failing is no match for the STURDY noun
taineer and is saved from death only oy
the Intervention of ''Snowbird," who
drives the outlaw from his victim oy
threatening him with a revolver
"All that's worth while in life, all
that matters when everything is said
that can be said, and all Is done that
can be done. And It means, please
God, when the debts are paid, that l
NAV have such q kisJ again."
"Not until then" she told him,
whispering. +.
Until then, I make oath that l
won't ever ask 1t, or receive 1t II you
should give II. It goes too deep, dear
est-and II means too much"
This was their pact. Not until the
debts we're paid and her word made
good would those lips be his again
There was no need for further words
Both of them knew.
In he skies, the gray clouds were
gathering swiftly. as always In tht
mountains. The raindrops were fall
ing one and one, over the forest. INT
summer was done. and fall had come
In earnest.
The rains fell increasingly for sever
days.: not a downpour but a constan
drizzle that made the distant ridge
smoke. The parched earth seemed {
smack its lips. and little rivulets he
gan to fall and tumble owe the bed
Of the dry streams. All danger OF fol
est fire was at once removed, an
snowbird was no longer needed as
lookout on old Bald mountain. Sn
went to her own home. her companio
back to the valley; and now that ri
sister had taken his place as hous'
keeper, Bill had gone down to n
lower foothills with a great part {
the live stock. Dan spent these rain
days in toll on the hillsides, buildir
himself physically SO that he migi
pay his debts.
II was no great pleasure, the
rainy DAYS. He would have great
liked to have fingered in the squa'
mountain house, listening TO the qui
murmur of the rain on the roof al
watching Snowbird at her househo
tasks. She could. as her father nj
said. make q biscuit. She could al
roll I'D sleeves over trim, brown arr
and with entire good hrmor DO
weeks laundry for three hard-wor
ing men. He would have liked to
with her, through the long afternoon
as she knitted beside the fireplace
10 watch the play Of her graceful
gers and perhaps, now and then
toucb her hands when he held {
skeins. But none of these things trs
spired. He drove himself from d'
light till dark. developing his body
the tests that were sure to come