South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-11-07
(Cntlnueod From our Last Issue
81 A. MN - II

~ men al IN.H AH| "a aHHtA CAS- rAAN
place OK pines again. and saw the
far. spectral gllmmer OF Quintana's
fire. the girl was almost breathless
But dawn was not very far away
and there remained little time for
the taking ave or a dangerous man.
Where two enormous pines grew
close together near a sapung. she
kneit down. and with both hands.
scooped out a Big hollow In the im-
memorial layers OF pine needles
Here she placed her trap. IL took
al her strength and skill % set It.
20 fasten the chain around the base
~ the sapling pine.
And now. working with only the
falntest gIlmmer OF her torch. she
covered everything with pine
needles.
It was not possible to restore the
r.siole-a darker. rougher patch on
the bronzed carpet or needles beaten
smooth by decades OF rain and snow.
80 animal would have trodden that
suspicious space. But Il was with
man she had 10 deal-a dangerous
but reasoning man with few and
atrOphied instincts-anG with no eX-
perience IN traps: and. therefore, In
no dread Of them.
Before she started she had thrown
a cartridge into the breech OF her
rifle.
Now she pocketed her torch and
seated herself between the two big
pines and about three feet behind
the hidden trap.
Dawn was not far away. She
looked upward through high pine
tops where stars shone; and saw no
sign or dawn But the watcher by
the FIRE beyond was astir, now. in
the imminence OF dawn, and evil
IDENTIFY meant TO warm himself before
leaving.
Eve could hear him piling dry
wood on the fire; the light on the
tree trunks grew redder; a pungent
reek OF smoke was drawn through
the forest aisles. She shifted It,
listened. and watched. her rifle
across her knees.
Eve never had been afraid OF any
thing. She was not afraid of this
man. II Il came TO combat she
would have 10 kill. 1t never entered
her mind 20 fear Quintana's rifle.
Even Clinch was not as swift with
a rifle as she Only Stormont
lad been swifter-thank Cod
She thought OF Stormont-sat
here in the terrific darkness loving
him, her heart of child tremulous
with alteration.
Then the memory Of Darragh
rushed in and hot hatred possessed
ler. Always. ia her heart she had
distrusted the man.
Instinct had warned her A spy!
What evil had ne worked already
Where was her father2 Evidently
Quiu;ana had escaped him al
Irc wned Valley Qulntana
was yonder by his fire preparing to
Gee the wilderness where men hunt
ed him. But where was Clinch
Had this sneak Darragh. betrayed
him? Was Cunch already in the
-iutch OF state Troopers Was he
Ia jail?
At the thought the girl felt slight
IT, fair then a rush OF ansry blood
stung her face In the darkness. EX-
Cept for games and excise violations
tile stories they told abou, Chnch
were lies.
lie had nothing 10 fear. nothing
90 be ashamed Of Harrod had
driven nina 60 lawlessress; the Gov
eminent took away1 what was left
him 20 make a living He had TO
live. What 10 he did break laws
made by millionaire and fanatic.
What OF it2 lie had her love and
her respect-and her deep. deep
ldty. And these We're enOueh for
.ruy girl 90 Tight for.
Dawn spread "a silvery light above
the pines. but Qu.ntana's fire still
Redeemed the tree TRUNKS and she
could hear him feeding II az inter-
walls.
FINALLY she saw him. IL came
out on the edse of the rUddy rims
~ ught and stood peerins around
ne the woods where already vague
srayness was revealing nearer trees
When. finally, he turned his back
and looked at his ire. Eve rose and
stood between the two big pines
Behind one OF them she placed heI
rifle
il was growing lighter in the
woods. She could see Quintana in
the FIRE ring and outside-saw him
20 20 the spring rivulet. lie flat
drink. then. on his knees, wash face
and hands in the icy water.
It became plain 10 her that he
was nearly ready 10 depart. She
watched him preparing. And now
she could see him plainly. and knew
him 10 be Quintana and no other.
de had a light basket pack. He
put some articles into IT, stretched
himself and yawned, pulled on his
hat. hoisted the pack and fastened 1t
20 his back, stood staring at the
FIRE FOR a long time; then. with a
sudden upward look at the zenith
where a slight flush stained a cloud.
re picked mp his rifle.
AT that moment Eve called 20
aim In q clear and steady voice.
The effect on Quintana was in
slant. he was behind a tree before
her voice ceased.
Halo. HI. You over there" she
called again. This is Eve Strayer.
I'm looking for Clinch! He hasn't
cen home all night. Have you seen
him ."
After a moment she saw Quin-
tana's shoulder-heigh OF a man but
close 20 the ground and just above
he tree roots.
Hey" she cried. What's the
matter with you over there? I'm
asking you who you are and If
you've seen my father2"
After a while she saw Quintana
coming toward her circling. creep
ing swiftly from tree 10 tree.
AS he fitted through the shadows
the trees between which she was