The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-12-29
THE
SKYLINE
SPRUCE:
BY Gibson Na'NdH'
SroQQ-l,t.A pvyn Z Qu,pany

'"~~~"N""~""H
measure OF vengeance. The fear OF
death was reality and a torment;
for all he knew. tho thing itself
might 10 change Cor tho be,ter. 1t
might be that. suddenly hurled out
OF this world Of throe Dimensions. his
enemies would have no knowiedge
nor carry no memories OF the
hand that struck them down. There
could he no satisfaction In thiA
To murder from ambush might be q
measure OF expcdience, but never one
OF scif-gratifieaiion. when Ben
struck he wanted Thorn 20 know who
was their encmy. and for what orime
they worc laid low.
Tho best way OF all OF course. was
20 strike indirectly NJ them. perhaps
thru some one they loved. Soon. per-
hapS he would see the way.
lie went 90 his blankets but rieep
aid net como 20 him The wolf stood
on guard. Beatrice Nelson had fall
len into happy dreams long since.
but there was further wakcfulness In
Hiram Mciviile's newer cabin. far
Their up-crcek. Ray Brent and Chan
Heminway stili nat over their cups.
the fiery liquid running riot In their
veins. but slumhor did not come
easily tonight And when Beatrice
was asleep. Nelson stole down IN.
moonilt moose trail and Joined hia
men.
Two brought news ne began.
when tho door had closed out tho
stars and the breath OF tho night
Chan. his small cyrs glazed from
strong drink. staggered 20 his feet 10
offer his chair 20 his chief. Brent.
however. was IN no mood for scrvility
tonight Ito had done mans work
In the early evening. and his triumph
and his ncw-found sense OF power
had not yet died In his body. Per-
hap- he had learned tho why 20 an
success There was curious suiien
defiance In the blearins gaxs over
his glass
Whats your newsr- Rays voice
harshencd. Possessing . certain quail
isy Of grim ievity. Il guess old III
rams brother hasn't come TO life
AE&lHs mas nc
II was significant thing that both
Chan and Nelson looked oppressed
and uneasy AT the words. Like all
men OF low moral status they wore
secretly superstitious ana these
boasting words crept unpicasantiy
under their skins II n never n good
thing 70 taunt the deadi Ray had
spoken sheeriy 10 brighten and shock
them. thus revealing his own fearless
ness and strength: set his voice rang
louder than he had meant. He had
no desire for n carry into the silver
mystery OF the night
The less you say about rffram's
brother the better" Nelson answered
sterniy. We've thrnshed 4, out once
tonight" He Strengthened as he
read the insolence. tho gathering In
suhordination in the others con-
temrsuous glance: and his voice
lacked It's old ring OF power when he
spoke again. "Jumpin' claims In one
thing and murder II another
Ray. spurrcd on by the false
strength % wickednesr. drunk with
his rev sense Of power. was already
feeling tho first surge OF deadly
anger IN hts veins u suppose n you
had been doin' n. you'd let that old
wheip take hack this claim. worth a
quarter million n IT'S worth cent.
Not n know u. II was the only
way---and the safe way. too
-Safe, what II by thousandsh
chance some one would blunder on "a
that body you left In this brush !
What IL soma sergeant of mounted
police would say 10 his man. Go ges
Ray Brentt' where would you bs
thcn7 You've always been q muir
derer AZ heart. Brent--but some tins
youri slip UP"
only a fool slips up. Don't think
didn't figure on everything. AZ
you say. there's not one chance IN a
thousand any one win ever ind him.
II they do. there wouldn't be any
kind OF q case. LIKELY the old man
hasn't got friend or relation on
earth. Two searched his pockets
there's nothing 70 tell who he Ia
Wen have our claim recorded soon
and u would bs easy 20 mako him
out the claim jumper rather thar
US"
wait 3ust . minute before yor
say he amt rot any friends. or al
least acquaintancea That's what
came TO 70 see you about tonight
Nelson paused. for tho sake Of sus.
pcnsc. Beatrice came up tonight. a,
agreed. and she had prospcctoi
with her--and no knew old Hiram'i
brother
A short. tense silence followed hi