The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1922-06-23

L reckon I could Shad wens
sank into a chair and bent his head.
Ihunderi Mister. If I'd only "a
known! If you'd only let me help you
= can't stand thinkin' of anythin'
happenin' to Beth-you an me-we
amt got along, an maybe you've got
the upper hand of me, but
We've got to forget that now" put
in Peter quickly. and taking out his
hasp knife he cut the cords that bound
Shad's wrists. "Just to show you
that L mean what L say" And then,
sOberly, you know these woods. Help
me to find Beth Cameron and I'll make
no charge against you. Is that a bar
gain?''
Yes, mister
Peter glanced at his face and at
the blood dripping from his finger
ends. The man was suffering much
pain, but he hadn't whimpered
*Al1 right Take off your coat and
I'll tie your arm up first
Silently Shad rose and obeyed while
Peter got water and washed the
wound, clean one right through the
muscles of the forearm. But no bones
were broken and Peter bandaged it
skillfully. Shad clenched his jaws
during the washing of the wound, but
he said nothing more Peter knew
that the man still hated him, but he
knew also that Shad was now power
less to do him any injury, and that
there was a. tie to bind them now into
this strange alliance AS Peter finish
ed the banda ging and was improvis-
ing a. sling for the wounded arm, Shad
crumpled side-long upon the edge of
the bed. his face CHASTITY, and would
have fallen to the floor if Peter hadn't
held him upright and half carried him
to the armchair. Then Peter unlock
ed a. cupboard and brought forth
whisky, giving Shad half a tumb1er-
full, and in a moment the man began
to revive. So Peter poured another
glass and slowly Shad pulled himself
together.
Perhaps you're not up to tt"
Peter began.
But Shad wagged his head with
some determination.
Yes, I'm up to it all right. I've
got to go. mister. Well find her if
she's in these woods
Bully for you. Feeling better
now?'
Shad nodded and then raised his
head, staring with a frown out of the
window by the piano Peter had been
so absorbed in his task of setting the
man to rights that he had not noticed
the dull glow that had risen in the
southern sky. And following Shad's
glance he turned his head and looked
out of the window. At first he thought
it might be the afterglow of the sun
set until a word from Shad aroused
him to the real significance of the
light.
"Firei" gasped the 1umberman.
"Fire!" echoed Peter, aghast.
They've set the woods abre, mis-
ter muttered Shad helpless1y.
At the same moment the telephone
from the house began janghng furi-
ously. Tt was Mcclure, who had made
the same discovery.
Yes" replied Peter to the hysteri-
cal questions. Its the lumber camp.
They've broken loose and set the
woods afire. You've got to get all the
men you can together and rush them
down there. Where's Briefly? On
the way? Oh, all right. Good. He'll
take me down and I'll send him back
Yes. I've got clue to
Hawk don't know, but
] m going to try it. I'm taking Shad
Wells with me. The old
tool house by the cedar swamp. Brier- !
ly will know. Send the men on in
relays when they come-with shovels
and sacks. What did you
say? What? Oh,
On the woods All
right. I'll get the paper if I can =
Yes. It's my affair as much as
yours now, Yes.
Good-by."
Peter hung up the receiver and
turned to Shad. who had risen. his
arm in the sling, just as Briefly came
running up the path to the door.