The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-10-11

But they LETT MN colu tonight iAot
lot was happiness itself compared 10
that Of Bess. and yet Bess spirit or
good sportsmanship and courage was
entirely absent in her. But ho must
not keep comparing her with bess.
Destruction lay that way! lilo must
continue to adore her Tor her beauty,
tho charm that used 20 hold him On.
tganced.
She was all he had asked Tor In
his old life. II they ever gained
freedom. he would, In ali probability,
find in her all that no could desire
in the future. They could take up
their old love anew. and doubtless
she would give him all the happiness
he had a right to expect more than
he deserved. Likely enough, II this
test ever came. she would show that
her metal. too. was tho finest tenn.
percd STEEL 40 least he could con.
tinue TO believe in her unth he had
cause to lose faith.
And tho test was not fardis,ant
now, lie was not blind 10 tho gath.
erins storm: at any moment there
might ensue n crisis that would em'
hrol all three Of them IN a Strug.
gle TO tho death. Not ono % them
could escape. Lcnoro no more than
himself or Bess She was ono OF the
triumvlrate--and surely sho would
stand with them 10 the last,
II tho crisis could only be post.
poned until they had made full prep
arations for Il, Yet In ono glance.
In which he traced down poomsdorcs
fiery gaze and found IL eentcred upon
Bcss. he knew tia, any instant might
bring the storm!
He felt his own anger rising a.
dark fury, scarcely comfortable,
swept over him at the Insult OF that
creeping. serpent gaze upon Bess's
beauty. But he mustn't give way TO
il yet. lie must hold himself for the
last, dread instant OF need.
The four OF them gathered about
the little. rough table, and again the
squaw served them. from tho shad.
ows. II was strange picture. there
In the lantern light--the imperturha.
BILE face OF the squaw. always half in
shadow. the lurid wildbeast eyes OF
Doomsdorf cleaning under his
shaggy brows. Ignores beauty a
thing to hold the eyes. and Bess horrl.
fed and fearful al what the next mo-
ment might bring Hardly a word
was exchanged from the meals be-
ginning 10 is end, Bess tried TO talk.
so as 10 divert poomsdorfs sinister
thoughts. but the words would not
come TO her lips The man seemed
eager 10 finish the meal
As soon as they had moved from
tho table toward the little stove. and
the sqpaw had begun the work OF
clearing away the dishes. Doomsdorf
halted al Bess' side For momen,
he gazcd down az her. a great hand
resting on her chair.
You're a pretty little hcll.cat." he
told her. In curiousiy mnffled tones.
What makes you such a fighter"
She tried to meet hts eyes. Il have
20 be, in this climate" she answered
Where would you get your furs---''
He uttered one great hoarsc sylla.
bic, as II in the beginning OF laugh.
ter. That's not what | mean. and
you know f. You'd sooner walk ten
miles thru tho snow than give an
inch wouldn't your" His hand
reached. closing gently upon her
arm. and shiycr Of repuision passed
over her. That's fine little muscle
but you don't want 10 work II Off.
why don't you show a little friend
ship?"
The girl looked with difficulty into
his great. drawn face. Ned stiffened.
wondering u the moment OF crisis
we're at hand at last. Lcnore watched
appalled,. but the native went on
about her tasks as 3. she hadn't
heard.
You cant expec,--much friend
ship-from prisoner Bess told him
brukenly. Her face. so white in the
yellow lantern light. her trembling
Ups. most OF all the appeal for mercy
in her child's eyes-raised TO this
beast compared with whom even the
North was merciful- Weakened surg
ing. desperate anger in Ned. The
room turned red before his eyes, his
muscles quiyered. and he was rap
idly reaching that point wherein his
self-control, on which life itself de-
pended, was jcopardized Yet nc must
wait 10 the last minute Of need.
Everything depended on that. in
avoiding the crisis until nc had made
some measure Of preparation.
Tho loss Of. hts long .bladed skin.
ming knife increased the odds against
him. He had put considerable reii.
ance in its hair.splitting blade: and
since he had perfected the sheath Of
caribou leather whereby he could
keep II open in his pocket. he haa
hoped that II might be the means Of
freedom. In the three days since It's
loss he had been obliged to carry
one OF the butcher knives from the
supplies at Forks cabin-a sharp
enough implement, but without the
dagger point that would be 80 deadly
- sAf-fe VIZ ~ NlphFNtEs nc IflONtfl
his arm SO that he could reach the
hit Of the knife in one motion.
But with the uncanny watchfulness
Of a cat Doomsdorf saw the move.
ment. For one breath Neds life wna
suspended by hair: Doomsdorf's
first impulse was to seize his pistol
and bore the younger man thru and
thru with lead. II was mere mad.
mans within that he RETAINED; he had
more entertaining fate in store for
Ned when affairs finally reached n
crisis. He leered down in contempt.
Your little friend seems to be got.
ting nervous" nc remarked easily TO
Bess. 80 not TO disturb him fur.
Their let's you and / go to the new
cabin. I've taken some fine pelts
DV0DDuCA