The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-01-31


ita soft pressure. and tho Eugue. kindly /
shadows in his quiet eyes. But pres
entity her gaia fastened on some OBJ.
jeci In the graas beside him.
He did not understand al 1rst. lie |
knew enough not 20 attract his
enemies attention by trying TO turn
Tho glrl relaxed again. but her hand
throobed IN his. and hor eyes ahons
somberiy "a II the lustsr OF some
strange. dark hope.
What Is itf' no asked whispering
Il zoe way out--for us both" she
told him. She know no would no, mis-
understand and dream that she saw
an actual avenue 20 lifo and safety.
Don't give any sign
'Thon hurry" no urged. They
may be back any Instant What Ia
it7-
"A way 20 cheat 'cm--to keep them
from torturing you-end 20 saw mo
from all tho things they'n do 10 me
when you're dead Oh. Bon-you
won't fail me-you1l do u for mo.
Hc smiled. gently and strongly.
do you think I'd fall you nowT-
Then reach your good arm on the
other Eide-aof, ne you can. There's
a knife lying therevyou own knife
they knocked Il ont OF my hand.
They'll Jump at the first CLEAN. You
know what 20 do-first me. In tho
throat--thnn yourself"
Ills face showed no horror at her
words They we're down 60 tho most
terrible realities; and aH she had
said. this was the way outi The
great kindness stiH dweit la his eyes
and shs know he would do m ahe
asked
One gieanl of steel. one Hwif, touch
at the throAt--and they would never
know the unspcakahlr fate that their
depraycd cnptora planned for them
II was no less than victory In tho last
instant OF despair II was freedom:
altho they did not know into wha,
Mystery and what Fear the act would
dispatch them. II was freedom from
Ray and Chan, mono the less. And
Ben welcomed the plan as might a
prisoner. waiting In the death-coll.
welcome n reprieyo
Ho turned. cropping with HIS hand
There was no use ~ waiting longer
The knife lay Just beyond his reach
and softly he moved his body thru
the greas
I But this gate TO mercy was closet
before they reached II. A sudden
flnring OF the fire revealed them
the gleaIn Of the blade and Bsns
stretching hnnd-and Ray left hia
loE in a swift. catliiso leap.
i II Ben had possessed fun use of
both hands there still might have
/ been time TO send home the two cru
cid blows, or nj least 70 dispatch
Beatrice out Of Rays power to harm,
But his injured arm impoded him.
and his hand fumbled as no tried 10
seize the bilt. with sharp oath
Ray crushed the blade into the
ground with his heel: then kicked
viciousiy nt tho prone body OF his
enemy.
And at that first base blow his rage
and biood-lust that had been Rnther-
Ing was swiftly freed n wns all that
was needed 10 set him at the work
OF torture. For an instant he stood
almost motionless except for the
spasmodlc twitchlng- almost
continuous--nt his lips and for the
slow turning OF his head ns he
looked about for a weapon with which
he could more quickly sauato the
murder-madnsss In his veins. The
knife appealed 10 him not at all: but
his eye fell or n long. heavy club OF
spruce that had been cut for fuel
He bent and his strong hands seized
H.
As no swung II high the girl leaped
between--with n Inst, frantic offoart
wholly instinctlve--to shield Bon't
body with her own. But Il WINS only
an instant's reprlevo. Chan had fol.
lowed Ray. and sharing Rays fiend.
ish mood, jerkod her aside. Bcr
raised himself up az far IN he couit
at final impulse 10 thrust the CIR
out OF harms way.
Yet II was to be that Rays muir.
derous blow was never 10 20 home
a mighty and terrible ally had com,
TO Ben's aid He came bouncing from
the darkness, gaunt and dreadful
ayengcr whose code Of death was n.
remorselesa as Rays own.
II was Fenris tho wolf. and he hnt
found HIS master at Inst. MISSING
him at the accustomed place In III,
cave, he had trailed him 10 the lax,
margin smell on the wind had Ice
him the rest OF the way. He was moi
one 10 announce his coming by m
audible football In the thicket. Like
ghost he had gllded almost TO tho
edge OF tho freight. lingering there
with caution learned in these last
Wild weeks OF running with his
brethrcn--untll ho hnh made MP his
brute mind In regard 10 the strangers
In tho camp But he had wnitet
only until he saw Ray kick tho help.
less form before hlnn--thnt Of tn,
god That Fonria for all the wild hat
clnimsd him. E'lll worghipcd In hi
inmost heart. with fiendish, maniac.
nj fury he had sprung 70 nvengo III,
blow