The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-01-27


NxNfx
Fer the second time In his life Ray
arcnt felt the sting OF neatrice's
strong hand against his face. In tho
desperation OF fear she had smose
aim with all her force. Ills arms
withdrew quickly from about her;
and her wide. disdainrui eyes bcheld
a sinister change IN his expression.
The moonlight was IN his eyes. sill
ser-whitc: and they seemed actually
70 rvdden with fury. and again she
saw that queer. ghastly twitching at
the corner OF hls lips. The girrs do
nance was broken with that one
blow. She dropped her head. then
walked past him into the presence Of
her father.
Nelson and Chan were ON their
feet now. and they regarded her In
the utter silence OF amusement
breathing fast. Ray came behind her.
Built up the firc. Chan" he said In
= strange. grim voice. I'VE want 10
see what we've caught
obediently Chan kicked the Goals
heap ON broken pieces Of wood. Tho
sticks smoked. then a little tongue Of
yellow fame crept about the fuel But
still the emburdcned silence con
tinucd-the white-faced girl In the
ring of silent. watching men.
slowly the fires glow crept ous to
her. revcallng--even better than the
bright moonlsght--her wide. fright
ened eyes and the dark. speculative
faces OF the men. Then Ray spoke
sharply In his place.
Well. why don't you question
herr he demanded OF Nelson. Il
suppose you know what shc was
doing. She was trying 90 steal food
II looks TO me like she's gone over
TO the opposite camp
Her father sighed. . peculiar sound
that seemed 20 come from above the
tree tops. as n fast-fiying waterfowl
we're passing overhead rs that 20.
laughter he asked simply.
I was trying TO take some Of your
food--to Ben Beatrice replied soft
ly Hes In need Of IT,
You see. they're on intimate
terms~ Fay suggested viciousiy.
-'Ben WINS In need Of fcod--so she
came here to steal IT.
But Nelson acted as II he had not
heard. why didn't you speak TO US
and tell us you were safer be
asked We've como all tho way here
10 ind you
-Perhaps you did II you had been
here aions. I would have told you
But Ray and Chan came all ths way
here 70 md Ben heard what they
snid--hack there In the brush. They
intend 20 KIN him when they md
him III don't want him killed.
Her father stared at her from un-
der his bushy brows AFTER carrying
you from your home-taking you
into danger ana keeping you a prts-
oner--you SIN want 70 protect him -
70 protect him. too" she said
Against these men Suddenly she
moved forward IN earnest appeal
sOh. Father want you 10 save
him He's never touched inches
trsAfsd me with every respecs--dons
everything he could for ma When he
vas injured he told me 20 TO back
20 saks what nttis food there wAS
and 20 back---
I can take II. then. that you're
out Of foodr' Ray asked
We're starving--and Ben's dck
Father, I make this one appeai-if
your love for mo isn't all gone. you'll
grant II. love him. You might a.
well know that now. as iater. !
want you TO save the man your
daughter iovc2~
Chan cursed Ia the gloom. his lean
face darkaned: but Nelson made no
answer. Ray In his place sharply
inhaled: but the suilen glow In his
eyes snapped into g flame.
II Beatrice had glanced At Pay. she
would have ceased her appeal and
trusted everything 70 the doubtful
mercy OF nlght-into the gloom Of
the forest. A. II was. she did not
fully comprehend the cruel lust. like
flame. that sped thru his veins She
would have hoped for no mercy II
she could have seen the strange.
black surge Of wrath in his face
'sHs has been kind TO ms--and be
was In the right. not In the wrong.
I know about the claim jumping
Father, want you to stand between
him and these nen--help him--and
give him food. ! didn't speak to you
because 7 was afraid for him-afrnid
you'd kill him or do some other awful
thing 70 him. 80
slowly her father shook his head.
But I cent save him now. He