The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-01-16

II
Seemingly with one motion he
wrvnched the gun from the man =
hand and sent him spinning against
the wall
Before even his body crashed
against the logs. Rili had whirled 10
face the suuaw lie knew these saw
age women. II would be wholly In
character for her 20 whip a cleaning
knife from her dress and spring 60
the mans aid Hut she looked up
"a II with Indifference. and once
more went back TO her work.
Biii was considerably heartened. Al
least he didn't have 10 deal with the
savage love that sometimes the In.
dian woman bore the whites, Slndy
was evidently wholly indifferent 10
Harold's fate. The match obviously
had not been great ssccess.
For an instan, Harold lay still.
crumpled on the floor. then his
bleeding hands fumhled at hts belt.
once more Nm sprang and snatched
him TO his feet. Tho holster. how.
ever. was empty.
NO more OF that" BIN cautioned.
The mans eyes smoldcred with ~
sentiment, but for the moment he
WAS cowed. Before you start any.
thing more. hear what I've got TO
offer you" His voice lowered. and
the words came rather painfully.
''fts your one chance. Lounshury--
to come back. Virginia fremont has
come into the North. looking for
you. She's at my camp. she wants
10 take you back with her"
Lounsburyis breath caught with a
strange. sohbing sound. Virginia
up here" he cried. Docs she know
about--~this--" lie Indicated the
cabin interior. and all Il meant. with
one sweep OF his arm.
''of course not. How could shef
Whether you tell her or not IL a
matter for you and she to decide
she's come to find you--and bring
you back"
My God. To the States--
'of course
For the instant tn. black wrath
had left his face. and his thought
swung backward 20 his own youth
TO the days he had known Virginia
In far-off city. lie was more than
little awed at this manifestation
Of her love. lie supposed that she
had forgotten him long since and
had never dreamed that sh. would
search for him here.
Once more the expression OF hi.
face changed. and Hi couldn't have
explained the wave Of r-vulsion that
surged thru him. lie only knew a
bind desire TO tear with hts strong
fingers those ieerfne lips before him.
Harold was lost in inssdlou. Epecu.
iations He remembered the girls
beauty. the grace and iithene~s OF
her form. the holy miracle Of her
kisses. Opposite him sat his squaw
--ssarthy. uncisan. shapeless, come.
ly as sauavs 20 but a. far from
Virginia az night was from day. Per.
haps II wasn't too late yet
hut that instant be heard the Fast
Wind on the roof. and he recalled
that the old problem OF existence
faced him stiil. lie had solved It up
here. His cabin was warm. he was
fulfilled; the squsw rrubbcd his iiv.
ing for him on, OF the frozen forests.
He did not want 10 be forced 10 face
the competition OF civilized existence
again. He was dirty. oarc-free: his
furs supplied food and clothes for
him and certain rags for her. and
filled his cupboard with strong drink
He remembered that the girl had had
no money, and that he had come first
TO the North TO find gold II he had
succeeded. II his poke ~ere heavy
with the yellow metal. he could go
back 10 his city and take up his old
life anew. but he couldn't begin AT
the bottom. With wealth at his com
msnd he might even find a more
desirable woman than Virginia: per.
haps the years had changed her even
as himself. There was no need OF
dreaming further about the matter.
Only one course. considering the cir.
cumstanccs, lay before him.
You're very kind" he said At las,
But I won't so. Tell her you didn't
find me-"
Bill straighfcned and sighed.
Make no mistake about that, I.ounA.
bury" he answered. You're going
with me-" and then ne spoke slow.
iy. a pause between each word--''if
have to drag you there thru tho
snow. was told TO bring you back.
and I'm going 10 do It."
You are. eh7" Harold scouied and
tried 20 End courage 10 attack this
man again. Yet his muscles hung
limp. and he couldn't even raise his
eyes to meet those that looked so
steadfastiy at him now.
'Slndy can go home to Buckahot
Dan. He'll take her back--you stole
her from him. And you. Lounsbury.
rotten as you are, are coming with
me. God knows I hope she'll drive
you from her door: but I'm going 10
bring you. just the same"
Iiarold's eyes glowcd. and for the
moment his brain was too busy with
other considerations openly 10 resent
the words. Then his face grew Gun.
ming. n WINS all plain enough. BIZ
loved Virginia himself. Thru some
code OF ethics that was almost in
credible to Harold. he was willing TO
sacrifice his own happiness for hers
And the way 10 pay for the rough
treatment he had Just had, treatment
that he couldn't. at present at least.
avenge In kind, was 10 win the girl
away from him. The thing was al.
ready done. She loved him enough
to search even the frozen realms OF
the North for him: simply by a little
tenderness. a little care, he could
command her TO love 10 the full
again. TIN fact that Bin wanted her
padS her infinitely more desirable 10
him.
You won't tell her--about sindy?"
Not as long as you're decent.
That's for you 10 settle for yourself
whether she finds out about her"
Harold believed him. While he
himself would have used the smirch
as "A weapon against his rival. he
knew that BIZ meant what he said.
I'm go" he announced "If she's