The L'Anse sentinel., 1922-12-29

| or perplexity at the peculiar turn al
fairs had taken. you're not Dave
Turner" he said wonderingly.
Dim though the voice was, there
was considerable emphasis In the tone
Hudson seemed quite sure of this
point, whether or not he knew any
thing concerning the dark gates hi
was about to enter. He wouldn't have
spoken greatly different II he had
been sitting in perfect health before
his own camp fire and the shadow was
now already so deep his eyes could
scarcely penetrate It.
'NO," Bruce answered. "Dave Tur
ner is up tree. He didn't even wait
to shoot"
"Of course he wouldn't" Hudson
spoke with assurance. The words
dimmed at the end, and he half-closed
his eyes as If he were too sleepy to
stay awake longer. Then Bruce saw
strange thing. He saw, unmistak-
able as the sun in the sky, the signs
Of curious struggle in the mans
face.
The trapper-a moment before sink
ing into the calm of death-was fight
ing desperately for few moments OF
respite. There could be no other ex-
PLANTATION. And he won 1t at last
"Who are your" he whispered.
Bruce bowed his head until his ear
was close to the lips. "Bruce Folger,"
he answered.-for the first time in his
knowledge speaking his full name.
"Son Of Matthew Folger who lived at
Trails End long ago."
The man still struggled. II knew
It," he said. II saw tin your face.
see-everything now. Listen-can you
hear met"
"Yes."
II just did q wrong-there's q
hundred dollars In my pocket that
just got for doing 1t. made a prom
, ise-to lie to you. Take the money
1t ought to be yours, anyway-and
hers; and use II toward fighting the
wrong. 1t will 60 little way"
"Yes." Bruce looked him full In the
eyes. "No matter about the money
What cid you promise Turnerf"
THAT I'd lie to you. Grip my arms
with your hands-till 1t hurts. I've
only got one breath more. Your ia
ther held those lands only in trust-the
Turner's deed is forged. And the
secret agreement that 1 witnessed Is
hidden"
The breath seemed to go out of the
man. Bruce shook him by the shoul
ders. Dave, still in the tree, strained
to hear the rest. "Yes-where?"
"Its NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS." The
words were no longer audible to Dave
and what followed Bruce also strained
to hear in vain. The lips ceased NOV
ing. The shadow grew in the eyes
and the lids flickered down over them
A traveller had gone.
Bruce got up, a strange, cold ligh
In his eyes. He glanced up. Dav,
Turner was climbing slowly down tn
tree. Bruce made six strides ant
seized his rifle.
The effect on Dave was ludicrous
He chung fast to the tree limbs, as /
he thought bullet-hke grizzly
claws-could not reach him there
Bruce laid the gun behind him, ther
stood waiting with his own weapoI
resting In his arms.
"Come down, Dave" he commanded
"The bear is gone"
Dave crept down the trunk ant
halted at Its base. He studied th'
cold face before him. Better not tr.
nothing" he advised hoarsely.
"Why notY Bruce asked. do yo'
think I'm afraid OF coward3" Tn
man started at the words; his hea,
bobbed backward as IL Bruce hat
struck him beneath the Jaw with hi
fist.
People don't call the Turner'S COW
ards and walk OF with It," the mai
told him.
ION, the lowest cowardw Bruc
said between set teeth. "The yellow
est, mongrel cowardI Your own con
federate-and you had to drop you
gun and run up tree. You nigh
have stopped the bears charge"
Dawes face twisted In scowl
you're brave enough now. Wait t
see what happens later. Give me m.
gun. I'm going to CO."
"You can 60. but you don't get you
gun. I'll I'LL you full Of lead II yo'
try to touch It."
Dave looked up with some care. ID
wanted to know for certain II thi
tenderfoot meant what he said. Tn
man was blind In some things. hi
vision was twisted and dark, but b
made no mistake about the look o.
the cold, set face before him. Bruce
finger was curled about the trigger
and 1t looked to Dave as II It itche
to exert further pressure.
II don't SEQ why / spare you, any
way" Bruce went on. His tone We
self-reproachful. God knows hadn
ought to--remembering who and whs
you are. II you'd only give me on
little bit Of provocation--"
Dave saw lurid lights growing I
the mans ayes; and all at once col
ciusion came to him. He decided ne
make no further effort to regain IA
gun. His life was rather precious I
Il n - -