Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-08-16

Their story staggered Wilton. on
the face OF II. IL seemed an impOssl-
billty. for no one else could have fired
the shot Yet. had either OF the men
done so. II was the least likely thing
that he would have returned to brazen
out a concocted tale.
Wilton was too weak 10 cross-ques-
ton them; he resolved. however. that
the matter should be probed to the
bottom. and meanwhile decided 10 alb
stain from arousing their suspicious OF
his doubts.
II 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
cons'ructional engineer who had once
been employed by Joe Bostock. but
had left him for the New Northern.
He wondered what Tom Bowyer's err
rand was. He suspected that. learn
ing OF their Journey. Bowyer had come
20 spy out the progress Of the Mis-
satlbi.
He was In no mood to welcome
either him or Chambers. Chambers
was suspected OF having betrayed
good many Of the Missatibi secrets 10
the New Northern.
He decided to stay where he was,
unless Bowyer showed signs Of re-
naming. 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 10 draw her toward him.
Chambers. at his side, a small man
with n sharp, mink-like face, was
staggering at the scene. Wilton's ad-
vent was like o thunderclap TO the
pair.
In his flannel shirt and trousers, with
his left arm slung 20 his neck. Wilton
yet looked so menaclng that Bowyer
released Molly at once and put him
self into an instructive attitude Of self
deefnse.
He was n man OF about FIVE and
forty. red-faced. with red. thinning
hair. gray over the temples, and the
hold. staring gaze that falsely passes
for candor. which some rogues acquire
In place OF the furtiveness OF weaker
souls-such as Lee Chambers.
Bower stared. and suddenly he rec
ognlzed his man.
swhy. it's VIII CarruthersT he ex-
claimed with an affectation OF jovial-
". How'd you hurt your arm, WIZ
Molly came quickly between the
two men.
"YouIl-youu perhaps realize that
this isn't winnipegI' suffered Wilton
inaptly enough. He was quicker with
his fists than with his tongue.
sBy George. Il isn'tf" cried Bowyer
IN cordial agreement. 81 seem 70 have
nut my foot In IL as usual. Your par
don. Miss Molly. That1l meet the bin.
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. moi
much construction being done tins
weather. I suppose you might think
I've come 10 spy out the Missatibi
land. Wei. you'd be right II you did,
VIII. WHAT'S this story about coal de-
posts on your property But perhaps
that's what the lawyers call a leading
question. ehi"
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 ne q fox, for all
his effrOntery, and chat 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.
ct heard you and Joe had come up"
continued Bowyer. $50 / dropped In
70 have a chat with him, though It's
taken me fifteen miles on my road
Planned TO ask him 70 sell out his
valuable holdings. maybe"
Molly, who was standing behind
Bowyer, looked earnestly at Wilton.
He dared not signal 20 her, but he
caught the answering message In her
eyes, as II GEOGRAPHICALLY conveyed.
II won't tell him." she meant TO say.
wfIton's heart went out In intense
gratitude. II would have oeen IN
bearable to have had TO tell Bowyer
that Joe was lying behind that thin
partition OF pine. IL would have been
blasphemy TO have let Bowers gloat-
ing eyes tx themselves upon poor
Joe's body.
you've had a long drive for moth
ing. then" said Wilton CURLY. Mr..
Bostock isn't here"
-rn say good-moning TO the fac
tor. anyway"
sNo. you WON'T answered Wilton
s.lir. Mcdonald 10 toe III to be seen