New Britain herald., 1922-01-13
tContinued From Last Issue)

"You'll drnk?" Joe asked BlI.
 The woodsman's face was grave
 Wolfpaw, it's against the law Of thI province 10 give or receive liquor iron Indians" he replied gravely, 'I won drink tonight"
 Pete turned with scowl Hi thought had already flashed to tn, white blade at his belt Your, damn particular" he began.
 But Joe shook his head, rostrainint nm The hour to strike had not ye come They must enjoy their liquor nrst and eneender fresh courage iron It's fire.
 Have q drink" Joe asked Vir Einia.
 She didn't like the tone of his voice He was speaking with entire famIi. silty, and again she expected inter. Terence from Harold, Her hance, how. ever, was lingering the bottle She Saw Bill straightcn, ever so little, and beheld the first signs of rising anger In the set of his lips.
 No,' the girl responded coldly.
 The others poured themselves mighty drinks staggering portions that more than half-emptied the first Of the quarts. Then they drew back their heads and drained the cups.
 KY.
 "A little toast--and everybody stand up,' Harold, getting drunker, finally proposed.
 We're going to drink to Virginia To my future wife. gentlemen-the lady who's promised me her hand, Look at her there. you breeds---the most beautiful woman that ever came fo the North! Drink her down."
 The burning poison poured into their throats. Virginia glanced at her pistol. Her face was no longer mere ly anxious. Bill still sat, helpless and blind. against the wall.
 She had not dared to resent aloud the bandying of her name, the insult of their searching eyes upon her beauty.
 It seemed to her that she heard a half-muttered exclamation from Bill, but his face belied it. And in reality the mans thoughts were as busy as never before.
 He opened his eyes, struggling for vision. But he could not make out the forms of the men at all, except when they crossed in front of the candles
 The candles themselves were mere points Of yellow between his lids.
 The nen drank another round, emptying the first quart and begin- Y,i
 You're pretty little witch" liar old addressed Virginia. You're hard to kiss, but your kisses are worth having. What you think about worth having. What you think about that, Joe? Aren't I tellin' you the truth ?"
 Joe! Bills first impression had been right. after all. Virginia heard the name, too, and her fears in- creased
 "Joe?" she repeated. You know him, then?"
 ''Of course I know Joe. He's an old friend. He's one that Bill told never to show his face in this part of Clearwater again-but you don't see anything happening to him, do you?"
 He waited, hoping that Bill would make response. But the latter was holding hard.
 8"You see he hasn't anything to say" Harold gloated. T asked you question. Joe-about Virginia. Didn't l tell the truth?"
 '1 don't know" Joe replied She's her"
 The girl flinched, then caught her self with a half-sob She resolved to make one more appeal.
 "Oh, Harold-pIease-please be careful what you say" she pleaded. You're drunk now-hut don't forget you were a gentleman-once. Don't drink any more. Don't let those h. dians drink any more. either"
 "A gentleman once, eh? So you don't think I'm one any more. But Bill there-hes one. aint he? It seems to me you've been getting kind of bossy around here, lately-and the women of we northern men don't be- have that way"
 I'm not your woman. thank God and I ask you to be careful"
 "So you're not my woman, eh?'
 'No, no, no!-I never will bel" The girls eyes were blazing, and she had forgotten her fear in her magnificent wrath.
 There ensued moment of strange and menacing silence. Pete chuckled already receptive to Joe's thought Harold turned to stare at him.
 Joe put his pipe to his lips, then fumbled at his pocket He seemed to search in vain. will you give me a match, please, lady?" he asked.
 The tone was strange, thick and strained, yet Virginia's heart thrilled with hope. Perhaps if these men started to smoke, their blood would cool. She turned quickly to the shelf above Bills head and procured half a dozen matches from the box. AS her back was turned she heard Pete laugh again. Instinctively her eyes turned to the wall for reassuring sight of her pistol. It was gone from it's place.