Middletown transcript., 1921-02-12
CHAPTER II-Continued,

-1V-
Dan felt himself straighten; and the
color mounted somewhat higher In his
brown cheeks. But he did not try to
lvenge the insult-yet. Cranston was
still fifteen feet distant, and that was
zoo far. A man may swing a rifle
within fifteen feet. The fact that they
we're in no way physical equals did
aot even occur to him. When the in
suit is great enough, such considera-
ions cannot possibly matter. Grams
ION was hard as steel, one hundred
and seventy pounds in weight. Dan did
aot touch one hundred and fifty, and
J deadly disease had not yet entirely
eelinquished its hold upon him.
Il do very well, CranstOn," Dan an
swered in the same tone. 'Wouldn't
you like another match? / believe
your pipe has gone out"
Very little can be said for the wis
iom of this remark. 1t was simply
auman-that age-old creed to answer
blow for blow and insult for insult.
Of course the inference was obvious
that Dan was accusing him, by innu-
endo, of his late attempt at arson.
Cranston glanced up quickly, and 1t
might be true that his fingers itched
and tingled about the barrel of his
rifle. He knew what Dan meant. He
understood perfectly that Dan had
guessed his purpose on the mountain
~ o% hnooron
more pronounced.
"What smart little boy" he
scorned. "Going to be a Sherlock
Holmes when he grows up" Then he
half turned and the light in his eyes
olazed up. He was not leering now.
The mountain men are too intense
to play at insult very long. Their in
aerent savagery comes to the surface,
and they want the warmth of blood
upon their fingers. His voice became
cultural. Maybe you're a spy?'' he
asked. Maybe you're one of those city
eats-to come and watch us, and then
run and tell the forest service. There's
two things, Failing, that I want you
to know"
Dan puffed at his pipe, and his eyes
looked curiously bright through the
a.f1n of smoke. "I'm not interested in
hearing them," he said.
1T might pay you," Cranston went
On. Zone of 'em is that one mans
word is good as another's in a court
and it wouldn't do you any good to
run down and tell tales. A man can
light his pipe on the mountain side
without the courts being interested.
The second thing is-just that don't
think you'd find it healthy thing to
do"
81 suppose, then, that is threat?"
1T amt Just threat" Cranston
laughed harshly-a single, grim syl-
liable that was the most terrible sound
he had yet uttered. "It's fact. Just
try it. Failing. Just make one little
step in that direction. You couldn't
hide behind a girls skirts, then. Why,
you city sissy, I'd break you to pieces
in my hands,"
Few men can make threat without
a muscular accompaniment. Its very
utterance releases pent-up emotions,
part of which can only pour forth in
muscular expression. And anger is a
primitive thing, going down to the
most mysterious depths of a mans ma
ture. AS Crans,on spoke, his lip curled.
his dark fingers clenched on his thick
palm, and he half leaned forward.
Dan knocked out his pipe on the
log. 1t was the only sound in that
whole mountain realm; all the lesser
sounds were stilled. The two men
stood face to face. Dan tranquil, Grams
ton shaken by passion.
II give you," said Dan with entire
GOODNESS. IAN opportunity to take that
back. Just about four seconds"
He stood very straight as he spoke,
and his eyes did not waver in the
least. 1t would not be the truth to say
that his heart was not leaping like
q wild thing in his breast. A dark
mist was spreading like madness over
his brain; but yet he was striving to
keep his thoughts clear. Stealthily
without seeming to do so, he was set
ting his muscles for spring.
The only answer to his words was
"a laugh-a roaring laugh of scorn
from Cranston's dark lips. In his
daughter, his intent, catlike vigilance
relaxed. Da. saw a chance; feeble