The Ordway new era., 1922-02-10

full conpsny IN my ramoies- Mu>''
,bssa were confined 70 the nelshooF-
hood of the cove never ventuFeu
hevond Lookout ridge. but there went
often with Crusoe. and We would 81
upon a rock and talk TO each other
about our first encounter there anu
the fright he had given NE livery
body else had gone, gazed and aa-
mired. But the only constant piisFi-l'
besides myself. was. OF all people
Captaiu Masnus. The captains une1-
pecred ardor fox scenery carried hin
thither whenever he had half an hour
10 spare from the work in the cave
Needless 10 say. CrusOe and l timed
our visits so as not 10 conflict Win
his
one day, as Crusoe and I came down
from the ridge, We met Captain Nag
nus ascending. l had in my hand
small metal-backed mirror, which l
had found. surprisingly, lying in
mossy cleft between the rocks. II
was q thing such as a man might car
ry in his pocket. though on the island
it seemed unlikely that anyone would
do so. l At once attributed the mir
ror 10 Captain Masnus, for knew that
no one else had been on the ridge for
days. I was wondering as l walked
along whether by some sublime law
of compensation the captain really
thought himself beautiful. and sought
this retired spot TO admire not the
view but his own physiosnomy.
When the captain saw me he stopped
full in the path. There was a growth
Of fern on either side I approached
slowly. and, as he did not move,
paused, and held out the mirror.
i think you must have dropped this
Captain Magnus. I found it on the
rocks"
For an instant his face changed.
His evasive eyes were turned 10 me
searchinsly and sharply. He took
the glass from my hand and slipped it
into his pocket l made a movement
to pass on. then stopped, with faint
dawning OF discomfort. Fer the heavy
figure Of the captain still blocked the
path.
A dark flush had come into the mans
face. His yellow teeth showed be-
tween his parted lips. His eyes had a
swimming brightness.
What's your hurry:" he remarked,
with certain insinuatins emphasis.
I began to tremble.
I am on my way back 20 camp,
Captain Msgnus- Please let me pass"
1t won't do you no harm II you re
little lare- There amt no one there
keepin tab Amt you always a.
strayin' of with the Honorable?
amt so pretty. but
You are impertinent. Let me pass"
'-Oh. I'm impertinent, am 1: That
means fresh, maybe. I'm a plain man
and don't use frills on ny langwidge.
Well when I meets q little skirt that
takes my eyes there amt no harm in
lettin' her know it. IS there7 Maybe
the Honorable could say 1t nicer"
With a forward stride he laid a
hand upon my arm 1 shook him of
and stepped back. Fear clutched my
throat had left my revolver in my
quarters Oh. the dreadful denseness
Of these woods. the certainty that no
widest cry of mine could pierce them ,
And then Crusoe, who had been
waiting quietly behind me in the path.
slipped in between Us. Every hair
on his neck was bristling- The lifted
upper lip snarled Enthusiastically. He
gave me swift glance which said.
shall l spring:
Quite suddenly the gorilla blandish-
ments Of Captain Magnus came 10 an
end
Say he said harshly. hold back
that dog. will you: l don't want to
kill the cur
You had better not" l returned
coldly. Il should have to explain how