The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-06-08


had left him for the New Northern.
He wondered what Tom Bowyer's err
rand was. He 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 Missatibi secrets to
the New Northern.
He decided to stay where he was,
unless Bowyer showed signs of re-
naming. But suddenly an exclama-
ton 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 once and put him.
self into an instructive attitude of self
deefnse
He was a man of about five and
forty, redfaced, 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.
Bowyer stared, and suddenly he rec
ognized his man.
"Why, it's Will Carruthers!" he ex-
ty. How'd you hurt your arm, WHIP
Molly came quickly between the
two men.
"You'll-you'll perhaps realize that
this isn't Winnipeg suffered Wilton
inaptly enough. he was quicker with
his fists than with his tongue
"By George, 1t isn't," cried Bowyer
in cordial agreement. 81 seem to have
put my foot In it as usual Your par
don, Miss Molly. That'll meet the bill,
will?" he continued, keeping up his
pretense of holiness.
Wilton gulped Toms eyes moved
swiftly from his face to the girls.
"We're just in to have look
around" continued BOwyer. Not
much construction being done this
weather. l suppose you might think
I've come to spy out the Missatibi
land. Well, you'd be right if you did,
Will What's this story about coal de-
posits on your property? But perhaps
that's what the lawyers call a leading
question ph1"
All the while 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
being one kind of rogue. whereas he
was quite another. as many had dis
covered to their cost There were few
more resourceful and cold-blooded
men, even in the Prairie city.
Il heard you and Joe had come up,"
continued BOwyer. $50 / dropped in
to have a chat with him, though it's
taken me fifteen miles off my road
Planned to ask him to sell out his
valuable holdings, maybe"
Molly, who was standing behind
BOwyer, looked earnestly at Wilton
He dared not signal to her, but he
caught the answering message in her
eyes, as if telepathically conveyed.
Il won't tell him." she meant to say.
Wilton's heart went out in intense
| gratitude. 1t would have been IN
bearable to have had to tell Bowyer
that Joe was lying behind that thin
| partition of pine. 1t would have been
| blasphemy to have let BOwyer's gloat-
ing eyes fix themselves upon poor
Joe's body
! you've had long drive for moth
ing, them said Wilton CURLY. mfr.
Bostock isn't here"
"FIl say good-morning to the fac
tor, anyway"
| mo. you won't" answered Wilton.
''Mr. Mcdonald is too i'll to be SEEM
"My father has had stroke" said
Molly. taking Wiltons cue.
BOwyer stared at her and, as she
spoke, they heard the factors voice
above, raised in irritable inquiry.
"Mr. McDonald's mind Is affected"
said Wilton. "He cannot see you.
am sorry, Mr.. Bowyer. 1 am speak
| ing for Miss Mcdonald"
Bowyer grinned viciously. "Well,
Lee, guess we'd better have the dogs
harnessed," he said.
Lee Chambers went out. Wilton
wondered whether the two suspected
Joe's presence in the building. A mo-
ment later Bowyer turned to him.
you're next TO Joe Bostock, VIII,
he said In his smooth voice. $50, as
Joe isn't here. apparently, I'd like to
have a word or two with you. You'll
pass it on TO him, ehF'
Without waiting for Wilton's reply
he walked toward the room at tn.
back of the store.
81 want the Missatibi, Carruthers,
he began, entering. and turning rount