Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1922-08-25

After a hurried meal, eaten almost in
silence, Molly said goodnight to Will
| ton and went into the caretaker's
room. AS the door closed behind her
Wilton saw the two men look after
her. The constable whispered some
thing to the sergeant, and both
chuckled.
Wilton's blood was boiling, but he
controlled himself. This was for Kitty,
and his debt to Joe.
The policemen prepared to lie down.
Andersen was already snoring upon
the. floor. The half-breeds, however,
had not come in, and Wilton, going to
the stables, found them curled up
among the huskies.
"You fellows had better come into
the shack" he said, unless you want
to freeze"
Papillon refused. "Them d-n dogs
will fight each other" he said, "ff we
don't stay here"
"Just as you like" said Wilton.
It was not unusual for rival teams
Of huskies to attack each other, but
such antipathy generally developed
from the first, and the dogs seemed
contented enough. He went back to
the shack and lay down, turning over
In his mind what he was projecting,
but he was utterly worn out, and fell
asleep before he was aware of it.
When he opened his eyes it was al
ready dawn. The policemen were
dressed and standing outside the
shack, conversing in low tones. An
dersen was peeling potatoes for break
fast. Wilton heard Molly moving with
in the room, and his doubts fell from
him. He had been upset by the surli-
ness of the two men; he had had vague
suspicious not justified in fact. He
determined to put his proposal to
them.
He walked over to the sergeant, who
was just re-entering the shack with
his companion.
81 suppose you fellows are thinking
Of starting at once, after breakfast"
he suggested.
The sergeant looked him up and
down. "That's about the size of 1t, !"
he growled. "Got any objection?"
Wilton resolutely ignored the af-
front.
'Tve got important business in Clay
ton, affecting Mr.. Bostock's interests"
he said. "It is very important that his
death should not be known there until
midday tomorrow"
The constable, who was leaning
| against the door-post, chewing the end
| of a twig, started slightly. Peters
| fixed Wilton with his crooked stare.
Rather a nervy, thing to propose,
Mr. Carruthers p he sneered.
| maybe, but It's a business matter
affecting Mr.. Bostock's wife," said Will
ton, loathing himself for making the
request, but nerving himself to do so
by the thought Of Kitty. "If the news
Of his death reaches Clayton before
| the time I've mentioned, some people
who are antagonistic to Mr.. Bostock's
interests will jump at the chance to
turn 1t to account. 1t will mean a
heavy loss to Mrs BostOck. You've
come long way, and you could quite
reasonably wait till afternoon on ac-
count of the dogs. That will bring you
in before noon tomorrow. And-if you
can see your way to it, you two won't
be the losers"
The sergeant eyed him more fnso-
lentIy than ever. $50 that's the pro-
gram, is it?'' he answered. "Wel, keep
your mind easy. The news won't be
known In Clayton tonight, nor tomor-
row neither. We amt going to Clay
tom
you're not, Ell? Then where the
devil are you going?" cried Wilton,
nettled almost beyond endurance at
the mans demeanor.
sWe're taking Joe Bostock's body
back to the Pas" retorted the SER