The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-12-26
THE
SKYLINE
~OF
SPRUCE
b edison E1KynR
x,.eAG>

Look out for jeff Nelson and his
gang" the iettsr read. They seen
some OF my DUST
pcrplexed when Beatrice had ffrsi
spoken her name. No wonder II had
sounded familiar. And the hot beads
moistened his brow when he con-
ocived OF all tho dreadful possihllltioa
OF that coincidence OF names.
Yet because he was a woodsman
OF nature and instinct blood and
birth. no retained tho most risid self
control He made no percepuhlo
start. At first no did not glance st
Beatrice Slowly he folded tho lettsr
and put Il back into his pocket
I'm going all right" he an
nounced lie urged his horse for
ward. rus perfect nelf-discipiine had
included hts voice; n was deep. eu,
wholly casual and mistaken. "And
how about you. Miss Nelisonr'
He pronounced her name distinctly.
giving her every chance 20 correct
him In case he had misundsrstocd
her. But there was no hope here.
I'm going all right. know"
1T seems 20 me We must be head
ing into about the same country.
Ben went on. You see. Mias Neil
son. I'm going to make my FIRST per-
manent camp somewhere along this
stifi stretch: I've had inside dope that
there's bis gold possibilities around
here
1T has never been q gold coun-
try except for pockets. some OF them
remarkably rich" she told him
doubtrully. evidently trying not 10
discourage him. 'But my father has
come TO the conclusion that les really
worthy prospecting Hos In this
same country now"
II suppose I'll meet him-rii like
" meet him tonight when take you
TO the cabin on tho rivg. You naid
HIS name wns--
-Jeffery Nelson
For all that he was prepared for
n, the name was a straight-out body
blow to hen. He had stiii dared IA
hope that this girl was OF no blood
kin OF tho claim jumper. Jcffery Neil
son. The truth was now only too
plain. ny the girls own word he
was operating In Hiram Mslvili.'s
district and Internationally had al
ready Jumped the claim. HIS daugh-
ter was Joining him now. probably 20
keep hou~s for him: and for all that
Bsn knew. already possessing guilty
knowledge OF her fathers crime.
n was hard TO hold tho head erect.
after that. Already he had busifesi
much on his friendship with this rirl.
only 20 md that she was allied with
the enemy camp. Re NV In . flash
how UNLIKELY n would be that Ezram
and hirnseR could drive the usurpers
out: the claim jumper 10 . difficult
problem. even when tho original dis
cover~r n living and IN possession.
much moro % vhsa he 10 silent In
his gravN
Ban had Known sns breed sncs
boyhood. and h hstsd them ~ he
hated coyotes and pack-rAta They
lacked the manhood 10 brave the un-
known In purvuit q 0s gcldsn
flssos; Their waited untf7 aftsr ysaxu
Of grindlng nnhor uhs ser4hs was
unads and TIN pounosd own upon
the caAsm fhs vulsuSss a N dead
Zen w. I'D ~ had noe sosysd his
impulse 10 tall the girl Of his true
reason for coming 20 the YusA He
knew now. with many foss assinss
him. he could best operats In tbs
dark
VII. thought flashed TO Exrsm- rhs
recovery Of the mine had besn the
old mans fondest dream, ths last
hope Of his declining years. and this
setback would 60 hard with him.
The blow was ever 20 much moro
cruel on Exrnm's account than his
own. ben could picture his down
cast face. trying yet 20 smile: his 90
b~rsd eyes that he would try 20 keep
bright. But. there would be certain
planning. when they met again over
their campfire. And there were three
OF them allied now. Fenris the wolf
had come into his service.
He glanced back at the gray black
creature that followed at the hsels Of
his horse: and now. at twiliEhts
xrsyfng. he saw that . Significant
and startling change had come cver
him. He no longer trotted easily be-
hind them. He was stalking. almost
As n IN the hunt. his ears pointing
his mock hairs bristlinx. and there
were the beginnings OF curious. iurid
rghtnings In his eyes. There could
be hut one answer. He had been
swept away In the current Of mad
ness that sweeps tho forest at the
fan Of darkness: the ase-oid intoxf-