Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-08-05

the edge of Big Muskeg, and haC fol-
lowed them across the portage to the
factors store, where they had learned
for the first time what had happened.
Their story staggered Wilton. on
the face of it, it seemed an impossi-
bility, for no one else could have fired
the shot. Yet, had either OF the men
done so, 1t was the least likely thing
that he would have returned to brazen
out cOncocted tale.
Wilton was too weak to cross-ques-
ton them; he resolved, however, that
the matter should be probed to the
bottom, and meanwhile decided to abb
stain from arousing their suspicious Of
his doubts.
1t was on the Sunday afternoon
that, lying on his bed, on which Molly
had insisted. he saw through the win
dow a sleigh approaching the store.
He recognized the two men who
walked with the driver as Tom Bow
yer and Lee Chambers, the latter a
| CONSTITUTIONAL engineer who had once
| been employed by Joe Bostock, but
had left him for the New Northern.
He wondered what Tom Bowyers er-
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 Missatibl secrets to
the New Northern.
He decided to stay where he was,
unless Bowyer showed signs Of re-
manning. But suddenly an exclama-
ton of anger from Molly brought him
sharply to his feet and into the store.
Bowyer had hts 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 adj
vent was like q 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, red-faced. 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 furtveness Of weaker
| s0uls-such as Lee Chambers.
i.
ognized his man.
"Why. it's VIII Carruthers !" ne ex-
Claimed with an affectation Of jOvial-
ty. How'd you hurt your arm, WHIP"
Molly came quickly between the
| two men.
"You'll-youn perhaps realize that
this isn't WinnipegP suffered Wilton
inaptly enough. He was quicker with
his fists than with his tongue.
by George, 1t isn'tI" cried Bowyer
| In cordial agreement. 81 seem to have
put my foot In 1t as usual. Your par
don, Miss Molly. Thatll meet the bill,
WHIP" he continued, keeping up his
pretense of holiness.
Wilton gulped. Toms eyes moved
swiftly from his face to the girls.
Were just in to have a look
around" continued Bowyer. mot
much construction being done this
weather. 1 suppose you might think
I've come to spy out the Missatibi
land. Well, you'd be right if you did.
WIN. What's this story about coal de-
posits on your property But perhaps
that's what the lawyers can a leading
| question, eh?"
All the while that he joked he fixed
Wilton with his staring gaze. And
| Wilton found himself wondering how
much Tom Bowyer knew.
The man was as sly nc "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 l 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 bad 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 a long drive FOR moth
ing, then" said Wilton curly "Mr.
! Bostock isn't here"
I'll say good-morning TO the fac
tor, anyway"
NO, you won't answered Wilton.
Mr. Mcdonald "a to fil 70 ha seerl