The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-12-30

Continued From Yesterday,
Then. at the head Of tho grave. he
thrust the barrel OF Exram's rifle into
tho ground. q monument grim M his
own thoughts The last rite was
completed he was free 60 work now.
From now on he could devote every
thought 10 tho work In hand-the
payment Of his debts
ny tho Same roundabout route he
eircicd back TO his camp. cooked his
meager lunch. and In the afternoon
vsntured forth again. But he was
prc~pectlng In earnest this time. tho
the prospects that he sought we're
those OF victory 20 his cause. rather
oen Of gold lilo was seeking sim
~ . good. general idea OF the nature
and geography OF the country 80
that he might know better how To
plan hts attack.
His excursion took him AZ last TO
the wooded bank cs the river. lie
stood iong time. quite motionless.
listening 20 the water voices that
emily the wise can understand. This
was really noble stream. II flowed
with such grandeur In its silence and
solitude: old and gray and austere.
n was = mighty expression OF wilder
ness power rcsistlesr. immortal.
efsrnsliy secretivc. Tho waters
flowed darkiy. Icy cold from the
melting snow; but like a sleeping
giant they would be quick 10 soize
upon and destroy such az would try
% brave their currents. likely never
70 yield them up again. Flowing for
ever thru the uninhabsted forest no
man would sver know tho fate of
those the river claimed.
He was above the camp when ne
descended 90 its banks. but no worked
his way down thru tho thickets
toward Jeffery Nelson's cabin. The
river flowed quietly hero. q long.
s*tll stretch that afforded safe boat
ing. Yet tho smooth waters did not
IN the least alleviate Bcn's haunting
sense OF their sinister power and
peril. The old gray shc-woif Is not
to be trusted IN her peaceful mo-
: meutA His keen ears could distinctly
hear the roar and rumble of Wild
waters tust below.
The river was OF great depth as
well ~ breadth-one OF tho king
rivers Of the land Ben found him
self staring into It's depths with a
ouickening pulse, He had a momen-
sary impression that this great
stream was his ally. q mighty agent
that he could bend 20 his viii
He approached the long. siop,nx
hank on which stood Nelson's cabin /:
and he suddenly drew up short at
the sight OF a light. sfAuneh canoe
on the open water. II was a curious
facf that he noticed tho Graf, itsoif
before ever he glanced at Its occu-
pant. A thrill Of excitement PASSED
ever him He realized that this boat
ampiificd TO some degree his own
problem. In that n afforded him
means Of traversfng this great water
body. certainly TO be = factor IN the
Forthcoming conflict. The boat had
svtdently been the property Of Hiram
1feIvifla
Then he noticed. with . strange.
lnexpiicablc leap Of his heart. that IT,
Dpae occupant was Beatrice Nelson.
HIS eye kindied a. the recognition,
and tho beginnings OF = smile flashed
= his lips But af once remembrance.
enms 20 him. crushing his Joy as the
heel brushes a tender flower. The
mi vas Of the enemy camp. IN.
Z laughter OF the leader Of the srlumvi-
rate Of mrrderers. While she her
reif could have had no part IN the
crime. perhaps she already had guilty
knowledge Of n. and AZ least she was
- her fathers hated blood.
He had buiided much on his
fE1endship with this girl: but he felt
= wttherinr. turning btack-liks
buds under frost--in his cold breast.
There could b no friendly words. en-
cepf IN guile: no essv comradeshlp
between them now. They were on
opposite sides. hated foes 70 the last.
Perhaps she would be one OF the In
nocents that must suffer with the
GufIty: but he felt no remorse Not
even this lovely. tender wood child
must stand in HIS way.
Nevertheless. he must not put her
On guard He must simulate friend
ship. He lifted his hat In answer 70
her gay signal.
She wore n white MILDLY blouse.
and her brown. bare forearms flashed
PLEASANTLY In the spring sun. Her
brown hair was disarranged by the
wind that found passway down the