The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-07-29


Tor him for years az starvation
wages, o. promises that n would be
mine some time. and that he had
neither taken me IN partnership. nor
left II 20 mo In the will shc got
her cousin to help her IN the trans.
fer OF the papers; Il was lease and
stumpagc contract. lilo affixed a no.
tary seal TO it. The thing WAS n.
iegitimntc. OF course. shortly after
that. young Houston came out here
again. and got her 20 come too. I
wanted 10 SEQ what he was up TO, lie
fired me. and while he was IN Den
yer. and Renaud away from tho min.
I got Miss tierdon and took her for
walk. while one Of the other men
kept watch for the cook who was
asleep. Hut she didn't wake up. on
the way back. Miss Ilcrdon saw that
the mill was burning. and I directed
her suspicion toward Renaud. she
accused him. and u brought about a
little quarrel between Miss iterdon
ard young Houston. had forced
her. by devious ways. 20 pretend
that she was IN love with keep.
ing that perjury thing hanging over
her all the time and constantly harp.
ing on how. even tho no was nice
young fellow. he was robhing us both
OF something that waa rightfuliy
our. All this time. had lodged
marrying her. promising that I
would do u when the min was mine.
In the meantime. with the lease and
contract IN my hands. I had hooked
up with this man here. blackburn.
and he had started min foe me. I
guess Miss jicrdon had gotten 10
thinking a little Of Houston. after all.
because when forced her 20 the
final thing Of telling some lies about
him 60 young woman. she did II.
but went away mad AZ me and
threatening never 20 zee me again.
But n little while in'sr. she came
hack. Our relations. while she had
been az the Houston camp. hadn't
been exactly what they should have
been. Miss Iiarkfon Il dead--she had
stayed IN q little babln IN the woods
I had lived with her there. About
ten days ago. the baby died. while I
was laid UP AT camp with a spraincd
hip. Today went there 20 find her
dead. and while was there. Renaud
and young Houston caught ms. This
Ia all know. I make this state
ment OF my own free will. without
coercion. and I swear u 10 be the
truth. tho whole truth, ana nothing
but the truth. 10 help me Cod
The little lobby mtlied and huxxcd.
drowning the scratching Of the pen
as trembling man signed the con.
fessicn. paxs BY page. Then came
the clink Of handcuffA A moment
later two figure. had departed IN the
duxD--the sheriff and Fred Thayer.
bound for the jnil AZ Mcntvirw
Houston straighssnsd. 20 find q
short. bulky form before him. Henry
Blackburn.
weir questioned that person. II
guess it's up to me. III haven't got
much chance against that"
what do you meant"
"sfmpiy this" and the bulky
Blackburn drew nervous. sweating
hand across hi. brow. Il Amt above
dealing with crooks. III admit that
I've done few things In my ilfe
that haven't been any too straight.
or any too noble. and when Thaycr
came 20 me with this contract and
lease, didn't ask any questions. Ny
lawyer said n WINS O. X. That was
enough for me. but somehow or
other. kind OF draw the line at muir.
der. I'm in your hands. Houston.
I've got a min up there that I've put
a lot Of money IN. IL Amt worth
the powder 10 blow II up now---to
me. anyway. But with you. It's dif.
ferent. II you want 70 make mo a
fair offer. ssy the word. and III 30
more than half way. What HayT'
rs tomorrow time enough7"
'-Tomorrow--or tho next day--or
the next week Suits ms. I'm in
your hands,
Then he went on. leaving only
three figures In the iobby--the bent.
silent form Of Ba'tists Renaud.
grave. but rewarded nj last In hts
faithful search: the radiant-eyed
Houston. free with a freedom that
he hardly believed could exist: and
girl who walked 10 the window and
stood looking out moment before
she turned 20 him Then impetu-
Dusty she faesd him. her eyes search.
ing bis. her hands tight ciasped, her
whole being ono OF supplIcation.
I'm sorry" she begged. Can you
will you forgive me-"
Boyishiy Barry Houston reached
forward and drew away a strand Of
hair that had strayed from place. a
spirit Of venture In his manner. n
buoyant tone In his voice.
SAY n again. like itr'
'sBut I arn--dont you believe rne7"