The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-12-19


Jeffery Nelson and Chan Hemin-
way were already In session when
Hay Brent. his face flushed and his
eyes still angry and red. Joined them.
Nelson was tall. gaunt man. well
rast so--from his manner evidently
the leader OF the three. lie had
heavy. Erizzled brows and rather
quiet eyes. man OF deep passions
and great resolve. Yet his lean face
had nothing OF tho wickodness Of
Rrenra There had evidently been
some gcntllng. rcdceming Influence
IA his life. and aitho Il was not In
the ascendancy. u had softened his
smile and the hard lines about his
lips. Notorious as he was thru the
northern provinces he was Infinitely
10 be preferred TO Chan Beminway.
who sat at his left who. a weaker
man than either Ray or Nelson. was
simply a tool In the iatter's hand--a
smashing Hledxe or n cruel blade as
his master wished. He was vicious
without strength. brutal without self
control. Locks ~ his blond hair. I'M
kempt. dropped over his low fore
head into his cyea
~where's BeatriceT- Nelson asked
m once. Il thought I heard her
voice"
RAY searched for a reply. and IN
the silence all three heard tho girls
tread as she went around the HOUSE.
-She's golng IN the back door. iikeiy
she didn't want 20 disturb US"
Ray looked NJ TO find Nelson's
Ewes firmly fixed upon his face. Try
hard as he might he couldn't re-
strain A surge os color In his checks
Eyes. ana what's the rest Of III
Nelson asked
sSoshlng--I know %"
you've got some white marks on
YOUR chcek~--wherc u Amt red The
hid can slap. can't she-
Ray flushed deeper. bu, the lines
Of Neiinon's face began 10 deepen
ana draw. Then hts voice broke IN
= great. hearty chuckie. He had evil
sensiy tried 20 restrain it--out Y Tot
.xav from him at last. No man
could look nj him. his twinkiing eyes
and his Joyous face. and doubt but
that this soft-eyed. strong HANDED
daughter OF his was the Joy and
pride OF his life. He had heard The
ringing slap thru the rarnshnckie
walls OF the house. and for all That
he favored Pay ss his daughters
gustor. the Independence and spirit
behind the action had delighted him
20 the core
Put Rays sense Of humor did not
run along these iines- The first dan
ger signal OF rising anger ieaped Ike
. little. hot spark into bis eyes Many
times before Ray had been obliged
70 curb his wrath against Nelson:
tonight h. found II more difficult
than ever The time would come. he
felt. when he would no longer be
obliged 70 submit 10 Nelson's dicta-
ton. Some time the situation would
Be reversed: he would be leader In
stead OF underiing. taking the lions
share OF the profit Of their enter
prfses instead OF che isft-overs. and
when that time came he would not
BE- Obliged 70 endure Nelson's jerts
in silence. Nelson himself. M he
eyed the stiffening figure. had no
realization Of Rays true attitude
toward him He thought him a will
Ing helper. loyal partner. and he
would not have sat with such con-
tent In his chair " he could have
beheid the snoidering fires Of Jeai-
ousy and ambition IN the others
breast The time would come when
Ray would assert himself. he thought
when Beatrice was safe In his
hands.
1T may seem Ike a Joke 10 you.
but It doesn't 10 me-" he answered
shortly. Nor was hs able to keep
hts anger entirely from his voice.
Everything that girl does you think
II perfect. Instead Of encouraging
her in her meanness you ought 20