Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-07-06

4 w = 1Na0c1 N-t
factors store. where they had iearne'
for the first time what had happened
Their story staggered Wilton. OF
the face of II, II seemed an impossi
bliity, for no one else could have fret
the shot. Yet, had either OF the mer
done so, IL was the least likely thinl
that he would have returned to brazer
out a concocted tale.
Wilton was too weak to c~ross-ques
ton them he resolved, however. thai
the matter should be probed to the
bottom. and meanwhile decided to alb.
stain from arousing their suspicious OF
his doubts.
II was on the Sunday afternoon
that, lying on his bed, on which Molly
had insisted. he saw through the win.
dow a sleigh approaching the store.
He recognized the two men who
walked with the driver as Tom Bow
yer and Lee Chambers. the latter a
CONSTITUTIONAL engineer who had once
been employed by Joe Bostock, but
had left him for the New Northern.
He wondered what Tom Bowyer's err
rand was. lie suspected that. learn
Ing OF their journey. Bowyer had come
to spy out the progress of the Mis-
satibi.
He was In no mood to welcome
either him or Chambers. Chambers
was suspected Of having betrayed a
good many of the MIssatlbl secrets to
the New Northern.
He decided TO stay where he was,
unless Bowyer showed signs OF re-
naming. But suddenly an exclama-
tion OF anger from Molly brought him
sharply to his feet and into the store.
Bowyer had his arm round her and
was trying TO draw her toward him.
Chambers. at his side. a small man
with a sharp. mink-like face. was
staggering at the scene. Wilton's ad-
vent was like a thunderclap to the
pair.
In his flannel shirt and trousers, with
his left arm slung to his neck, Wilton
yet looked so menacing that Bowyer
released Molly at NICE and put him
self Into an instructive attitude OF self
deefnse.
He was a man OF about Ave and
forty, red-faced. with red, thinning
hair. gray over the temples. and the
bold, staring gaze that falsely passes
for candor. which some rogues acquire
IN place Of the furtiveness OF weaker
souls-such as Lee Chambers.
BewyeF stared and suddenly he rec
ognIzed his man.
"Why, It's VIII Carruthers 70 he tx
claimed with an a%ffectation OF jovial-
ty. How'd you hurt your arm, WHIP
Molly came quickly between the
two men.
"You'll-you1l perhaps realize that
this isn't Winnipeg !" suffered Wilton
lnaptly enough. He was quicker with
his fists than with his tongue.
by George. 1t Isn'ti" cried Bowyer
In cordial agreement. IL seem to have
put my foot In It as usual. Your par
don, Miss Molly. That1l meet the bill,
WHIP" he continued, keeping up his
pretense OF holiness.
Wilton gulped. Toms eyes moved
swiftly from his face to the girls
Were just In to have a look
around" continued Bowyer. mot
much construction being done this
weather. | suppose you might think
I've come TO spy out the Mlssatibi
land. Well, you'd be right II you did.
WIN. What's this story about coal de-
poslts on your property? But perhaps
that's what the lawyers call Il leading
question, eh?'
All the while that he Joked he fixed
Wilton with his staring gaze. And
Wilton found himself wondering how
much Tom Bowyer knew.
The man was as sly as a fox. for all
his %effrontery, and that was his
strength. He gave the impression of
one kind of rogue. whereas he
was quite another. as many had dis
to their cost. There were few
more r~esourceful and cold-blooded
men, even In the Prairie city.
II heard you and Joe had come up"
continued Bower. $50 ] dropped IN
o have a chat with him, though it's
AIKEN me fifteen miles Off my road.
Planned TO ask him TO sell out his
holdings, maybe"
Molly, who was standing behind
3owyer, looked earnestly at Wilton.
lie dared not signal to her, but he 3
aught the answering message In her
Eyes, as II GEOGRAPHICALLY conveyed.
I wont rett him, she meant TO say.
Nilton's heart went out ia intense +,
FatitHde@IAweald -haye-beea ua-
to have had to tell Bowyer
hat Joe was lying behind that thin A,
PARTITION of pine. It would have been I
'lasphemy to have let Bowyer's gioat- 1
ng eyes Ok themselves upon poor ,
body.
You've had a long drive for. moth
then" said Wilton CURLY Mr.. I
Isn't here" /
"fif say good-morning 10 The fac
or. anyway