New Britain herald., 1922-12-22

NIontlnued From our Last Issue)
 Your gun Ia empty. Beatrice" he told her quietly He heard her sob, and he smiled q little. reassuringly. Never mind--and pray for good voyage" he advised. Were going
 The craft and Its occupants were out of sight by the time Jeffrey Neil son reached the river bank with his rife,
 He made his way fast as he could toward the claim Sensing the old mans distress. Ray strengthened from his work at the sight of him,
 The face before him was drawn and white; but there was no time for questions. Hard hands seized his arm.
 Ray do you know of canoe any where-up or down this river?"
 No! There isn't one that you could even dream about shooting those rapids In. Tell me what's the matter. Has Beatrice--'
 '"Beatrice has gone down, that's all"
 You don't mean--she's run away?"
 Don't be a fool. The prospector told you about--Darby--was the old mans partner. He paying us back. Ray, I wish to God had died before ever saw this day."
 Ray stared blankly. Then he found out--about the murder?" he gasped.
 Yes. Here's his letter."
 Ray read the letter carefully, crumpling 1t at last in savage wrath.
 He can't do much if the claims recorded in our manifest" s"He can make ns plenty of trouble. If you want the girl, Ray-don't lose a minute. Put your things together as fast as you can."
 They crossed the divide, thus reach- Ing the headwaters of Poor Mans Creek; then took the Strail down toward the settlements. But the two claim jumpers had not yet learned all the days i'll news. Halfway to the mouth of the stream they met Chan Hemingway on his way back to the claim.
 At the first sight of him, they could hardly believe their eyes. It was not to- be credited that he had made the trip to Bradleyburg and back in the few days he had been absent.
 What in the devil you coming back for?'' Ray shouted. when Chans identity became certain.
 Because the claims recorded. that's why, Before old Hiram died he wrote letter to an official in Iradleyburg and in it was a descrip- ton of the claim. Whatever for- malities was necessary was cut out bey cause the old man has been too sick to make the trip---the recorder got special permission from Victoria.
 You see what that means, don't your" he asked Nelson. \ ,It means we've lost!" The eyes before him narrowed and gleamed. So that's what it means to you! We'll, don't look at it just that way. It means to me that we've got to take these supplies and these. pack horses and start out and find Ben Darby"
 .Of course we've got {. to rescue
 "RescuiAg Beatrice isn't all of 1t now, by long shot. Didn't old Hi ram leave a will giving this claim to his brother Ezra? And hasn't this Ben got a letter from Ezra leaving tl1e claim to llIu
 You mean we've got to find him 2"
 We've got to; that's all" gNeilson. breathed heavily. Its all plain enough"
 Beatrice Nelson was mountain girl. with the strong thews Of Jael, yet she hid her face as the canoe shot into the crests of the rapids.
 The wolf crouched in the heap or supplies, fearful to the depths Of his wild heart of this mighty stream, yet still putting his faith in his master in the stern.
 A sudden movement on the part Of Beatrice. in the bow of the canoe, caught Bens eye. She had leaned forward and was reaching among the supplies. She lifted into her hanos