The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-04-26
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Begin HERE TODAY
series OF mysterious. aecId-
dents IN the lumber mill left him
iby his fatheraon the. condition that
ne maintain o high output, has
Convinced
BARRY HOUSTON that his sup
efifftendent,
Fred sTHAYER is guilty Of sabo-
tage. Motoring from Boston TO
the timber lands in Colorado,
HoHston's automobile plunges
over cliff q few miles from
Tabernacle. where the mill Is
located. -
Houston Is nursed back to
BAsTISTE RENAUD, an eccentric
but whole hearted French Can
adian who becames q trapper
following the tragedies OF his
sons death in France and the
ttnsolyed murder OF his wife.
~ $Ba,iste's cabin, Houston
meets
MEDA1NE$ RoBINETTE, q girl OF
twenty who owns adjoining tim
her land. Ba'tiste agrees 10
assist Houston and they decide
70 investigate mysterious tel
egran which caused Houston's
trip from Boston.
COON WITH THE STORY
III there ever time when the
ptetator isn't there?"
AT noon. He go out to din
nor and he leave open the door.
= eet stssomethlng you want, walk
sThapks.H "A strange eagerness
was In Houston's eyes. II think
TN be able to get up tomorrow.
Maybe can walk over there"
CHAPTER "
Bon good" came from Ba'-
tistes as they turned into the little
yilagegot Tabernacle the next day.
Bon the agent Is leaving"
on walk as though going into
the station to loaf. Ba'tiste will
come behind--and keep watch.
Barry obeyed. A moment more
and he was within the converted
box car Houston turned hastily
toward the file hook ana began to
turn the pages of the original
copy which hung there.{
Sud- denly he bent forward and
examined a notation In a strange
hand ss
aIissent Houston. Resent Black
burn.
Il explained much to Barry
Houston, that scribble OF four
words. II told him why he had
received telegram which meant
nothing to him, yet caused suspi-
cion enough for a two-thousand-
mile trip.
Y, g. Blackburn,
Deal Building, Chicago. Ill.
Our friend reports Boston deal
put over o. K. Everything safe.
Suggest start preparations for OPP
erattons in time compete Boston
for the big thing, Have Boston
where we want him and will keep
him there.
THAYER.
Hastily Houston crawled over
the railing, and motioning to Ba'-
ttstes led him away from the sta
ton. MI
The giant traced out the words.
He looked up sharply.
Boston? You came from Bos-
ton2l
Yes Itmust mean that Thay-
rs been running my mill down, to
help along some competitor. You'll
notice that he says he has mo
where he wants me-"
.0uiTyes. But has he? What
wasSthe Sdeal?"
~ don't know. Suddenly Hous-
ton frowned with presentiment.
@rhayer's been going with Med
atnetaS good deal. hasn't her"
0utyes. When Ba'-teese can
think OF no way to keep him from
II couldn't be that he's made
some arrangement with her
about her forest lands?"
But Ba'teese would have hear
OF eet, came the repetition. mo,
eet Is something else. Ba'teese
VIII try to learn who eet is, this
Blackburn
They parted, Ba'tiste to lounge
back into the tiny town. Houston
to3take the winding road which
dsback to the cabin.
He glanced ahead and noticed
tho trim figure Of Medaine Robin
ette swinging along the road. old
Lost Wing trailing in her rear,
Astride a calico pony and leading
the saddle horse which she evil
IDENTITY had become tired OF riding.
She had not seen him, and Barry
siurTied toward her jamming his
cap into 10 pocket that his hand
might be free to greet her. He
waved airily as they came closer
and called. But II she heard him,
she gave no indication. Instead,