New Britain herald., 1922-10-09

his fish. He did not look around when he spoke. Clinch's murderous gaze was fastened on the back of his head.
 Don't go to gettin' too damn nosey, Hal" he said in his always agreeable voice.
 Smith soused all the fish in water again: You'd better tell somebody if you go gunning for Quintana."
 Did I ask your advice?"
 You did not" said the young man. smiling.
 All right. Mind your business. |"
 Smith got up from the waters edge with his pan of trout:
 That's what I shall do, Mike" he said. laughing. So go on with your private war: it's no button off my pants If Quintana gets you.'
 He went away toward the ice house with the trout Eve Strayer, doing chamber work, watched the young man from an upper room.
 The girls instinct was to like Smith but that very instinct aroused her distrust. What was a man of his breeding and education doing at Clinch's dump? Why was he con- tent to hang around and do chores? A man of his type who has gone crooked enough to stick up tourist in an automobile nourishes higher though probably perverted am- bitions than a dollar day and board.
 She heard Clinch's light step on the uncarpeted stair; went on making up Smiths bed; and smiled as her came into the room, still carrying his rife.
 He had something else in his hand, too-a flat, thin packet wrapped in heavy paper and sealed all over with black wax.
 "Girlie," he said, T want you should do little errand for me this morning. If you're spry it won't take longtime to go there and get back to help with noon dinner"
 Very we'll, dad"
 "Go git your pants on, girlie."
 You want me 10 go into the woods?"
 T want you to go to the hole in the rocks under Star Peak and lay his packet in the hootch cache"
 She nodded. tucked in the sheets blankets and pillow with left hands, went out to her own room. Cinch seated himself and turned blank face to the window.
 It was sudden decision. He -ealized now that he couldn't keep | he jewels in his house. War was on with Quintana. The hotel" would be the goal for Quintana and i 1is gang And for Smith, too, if | ,ver temptation overpowered him. The house was liable to an attempt at 'obbery any night, now-and day, perhaps. It was no place for the packet he had taken from Jose Quin ana.
 Eve came in wearing gray shirt, fer the packet.
 What's in it. dad?" she asked milingly.
 Don't you get nosey, girlie. Come lere."
 She went to him. He put his left rm around her.
 You like me some, don't you, irlie?'
 You know 1t, dad"
 "Al right. You're all that matters 0 me since your mother went nd died after a year. 'ha twas crool, grille. Only a year. Yell, I ain't cared none for nobody lnce--only you, girlie."
 He touched the packet with his orefinger: "If I step out, that's yours. But ain't a-going to step out Put it .ith the hootch. You know how to love the keystone?" "Yes, dad" And watch out that no game pro- ,ctor and none of that damn mill onaire's wardens see you in the oods No, nor none O these here lncy State Troopers You gotta atch out this time, Eve. It means to us-to you, girlie-and | , me. Go tip-toe. Lay low, com g and going. Take a rife" You shoot to kill" said Clinch -imly, If anyone wants to stop you. ut lay low and you won't need to r loot nobody, grille. G'wan out the ack way: Halls In the ice house."
 (Continued in Our Next IsSue) f