New Britain herald., 1923-09-12

his purpose. and his prisoners lay
 crushed in his hands, 4 fear in
 iiniteiy worse than that of toll or
 hardship had evidently killed the
 fighting spirit In Hess; I4enere had
 Leen broken by naamstiorf's first
 words. And now ali the structure Of
 Ned's life had seemingly toppled
 about him.
 For in this momen. Of unspeakable
 remorse. hs found he could blame m one but himself Tor the disaster. Every year men trasersed these desc. late waters 10 buy fnrs from the ln- dians: he had been In n staunch boat. and with fl little care. n little fore sight. the journey could have been made in perfect safety. II was mans venture. surely: but he could have carried through if he had met it like man instead Of weakling.
 In spite Of his own despair. his own bitter hopelessness. he must do what he could 10 keep hope alive Tn Lenore and Bess. Ii was the only chance he had to pay. even In the most pitiful. slight degree for what he had done to them. He must al- ways try to make. their lot easier. loing their work when he could. nairsaining an attitude Of cheer liv- ng the lie of hope when hope seemed | lead in his breast.
 And that is why. when Doomsdorf | ooked at him again. he found him in t 'ome way strengthened. his eyes more 7 iteadfast, his lips in firmer. stronger ine.. i
 Glad to see you're bucking up," le commented lightly.
 Ned turned soberly. T am buck ng up," he answered. T see now hat you've gone into something you ant get away with. Miss Gilbert fas right: in the end you'll find your elf laid out by the heels.''
 You think so eh? Doomsdorf awned and stretched his arms. Just y something--that's all. And since on're feeling so good. don't see why ou shouldn't get to work. You can ill put in a fairy good morning nd you'--he turned with catlike witness that marked so many of his lovements toward whats J ,ur name?"
 Bess. in her misery. looked at him 9 ith dread. "Bess Gilbert" she an- | rered quietly.
 "Bess it will be. Lenore. think j ,u call the other--and Ned. Good ing to know your first names, since | eve got an uncertain number of d 'ars before us. Well, l suggest that three of you go out and see what r 'u can do about wood. You'll have r
 cut some and split it. I've been " about laying in winter store" J Much to his engagement. Ned stood l, ect, pulled down his cap over his C own curis, and buttoned his coat Fl see what we can do," he an- r 'ered straightforwardly T have, D ough, one thing to ask"
 What is it-'' q That you let the two girls take it sy today-and get warmed through.
 you sent them out now. weakened
 they are, it might very easily mean { eumonia and death. It's to your terest to keep them alive.'
 Its to my interest surely-but [, mt rely on that to the extent of owing too much independence. The =, man body can stand a lot before it = Jes up the ghost. The human voice p' n do a lot of screaming. l know. = cause I've seen. don't mind ming a little risk with humin life
 get my way, and l know several ngs. short of actual killing. that go yard enforcing obedience and quel- g mutiny." Lenore, staring wildly at him. Ight her breath in a sob. You Tt mean--'
 Doomsdorf did not look at her. He
 I smiled down at Ned. You've Ter felt a knout, have you, on the Sed back?" he asked sweetly. "I md out what they were like in Si- ia, and with the hope of showing ne one else I took one out-in my it. It's half-kiled many a man
 I only know one. man that it's npletely killed He was guard found out just how many blows . akes." The man yawned again. 1t your request is granted-so far ' Lenore is concerned. You can . re her here for me to entertain o s has spirit enough to work" (Continued in Our Next Issue)