The daily Alaskan., 1921-04-02

CHAPTER xV.
The Last Card.

EllNfkN. Lle uAk lGNtlNEu NOlh ll4dL Uriah Devon released from prison, would anchor the Dirty Mary near the HoghOle in her accustomed place.
 Devon was on deck when Brown ran up the gungplank.
 "So you came, old top" was Uriah's greeting. Its good you did l want to know what's doin'."
 A woman came to the door of the cabin and peercd out. When she saw the newcomer she scOwled and went back.
 "I thought you said she was dead" commented Reggie, with a wag of his head toward the spot where the wom- an had stood.
 Well. she alnt! Worse luck" growIrd Uriah. "I told that to the kid to make her feel bad. Ede was willing 10 be dead for a while, any how. What's the news of Tony?"
 "Oh, shes a lady now," answered Reggie. sarcaStIcally. 'The Pendle- havCns have sent her to school ever since you went away. My mother tells me Paul Pendlehavcn's going to adopt her. And what do you think else" he demanded.
 "I dunno" grunted the other. Good God, Don't sit there teNrin' me to pieces with curiosity. Fire ahead and tell me"
 "Shc's copped Phil MacCauley," re- turned Reginald; "ItGaca's snob of a Salvation Army captain, the fellow who threw me in the lake that day, and he's as rich as the Pendlehayens put together"
 Well, he won't get 'er," asserted Urlah, sharply. i've told you the girls rich too Her fathers got money to burn."
 "A lot of good thatll do you, Ky" s0ccred Reggie. "Shc wouldn't look at the likes of you and Edith. You aren't In her class any. more."
 Amt I so?" qucrlcd Devon, grouchuy. "I rockon her hide aIn't no tougher nor thicker'n 1t used to be. I'll thump h-II out of Ter once or twice; I'll show 'er what class she's tn."
 "Youu have to catch her before you beat her, won't you, Ry? Reg gie Inquired tNuntlngly. How're you going to get your hands on her? Tell me that. will youf"
 "Yrp. Mir. Mcaly-mouth, I will," thrust back Devon. "We got to steal CT" He clcnched his heavy fist and swung 1t mcnacingly and suggestive ly. "What's left of 'er when I'm done with 'er II marry yousall right. That over. I'll tell 'cr who she is, provIdIn' you promise to halve up the stuff with me"
 "I dld promise you once, didn't F" asked Reggie, sulkily. "Of course, will, hut what's the use of dreaming? The Pcndlehavens're too much for us. Now that Paul's well, he and John are big team, and they worship the ground that girl walks on. You're biting or more'n You can chew, Ky. You aren't any too strong, you know. A prison record doesn't help any"
 Uriah grunted and followed a ring of smoke with his frownIng eyes.
 shes my girl" he said at length, "and I'm GoIn' to have 'er."
 q thought you said she wasn't" put in Reggie, susplCiously.
 "WeIl, she don't know that, does she?" Devon retorted. Nobody knows but you and Ede, besides me"
 Shes a beauty" sighed Reggie, his voice lowered to u grOwl. "Td marry her if she didn't have cent"
 You don't need to make any such sacrifice, old horse" said Devon. Your eyes will bung out of your head when you hear he, name"
 Reginald argued he should know who the girl was before, he married her, but Uriah wouldn't give up his secret. Indeed, he unfolded to the prospective husband how he planned ,o capture Tonnlbel, and sent Reggie away convinced, red hot to perform his part in the scheme. At last, he was 10 have the girl be wanted and money too.
 The next morning Reggie ap- preached his mother with an air of secrecy.
 "A minute, mater" he said softly. Just a minute! I've seen Tony De von's father There! Now sit down, old lady. while I tell you something. Ky says the only Way is to kidnap her bodily and force her to marry the man he promised her to-" the boy ex- n.aiaed. What do you think of that|
 Paul would kill him." gasped Mrs. Curtis. her eyes taking on an expres- sion of fear.
 He won't have n chance If Devon works out his present scheme" re plfei Reggie, but you and Kathie have to help us"
 In the terror that overlook her, Mrs. Curtis shook her head.
 T don't want anything to do-with it." she objected, webbing in tears. j