The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-01-18


ben drew HIS pistol. thon walked M
within 20 feet. lie drew slowly
down. knocking the old bird from her
perch with a bullet thru the neck
Good work" Beatrice exulted
-Now Tor the chiclSae
ben took tho bird on the extreme
right. and again the bullet sped true.
The remainder OF the flock had be-
como uneasy now. aud at the next
shot all except one flew into tho
branches OF the surrounding treeS
This shot was equally successful. and
with the fourth he knocked the. W.
manning bird from the log.
Each Of tho four birds he had
downed with shot either thru tho
head or the neck: and such shooting
would have been marvellous indeed IN
tho eyes Of the tcnderfoot. But both
these two forestcrs knew that there
was nothing exceptional about L.
Pistol shooting Is simply matter OF
a sure eye and steady nerves. COM
bincd with greater or less period Of
practice. Few were the trappers or
woodsmen north OF nfty three that
could not have done as much.
Ben turned hts attention 90 the
fowl on the lower tree limbs. hitting
once but missing the second time. To
correct this objectionable proceeding.
he knocked with his seventh fat
cock. his spurs Just starting. from
almost the top of a young spruce.
Here's one more" Beatrice urged
him, I'm need every one for the
pie
hut the gun was empty. Tho firing
pin snapped harmlessly against the
breach. They gathered the grouse
and sped on down to the cavern.
Her heart seemingly lcapcd into
her throat AZ every beat. but with
steady hands and smiling taco she
went about tho preparation Of the
meal. She fried the venison and
baked the wocus bread. and with
more than usual spirit and gaicsy set
the dishes at Ben's place al the table.
Draw up your chair" she told him.
f'il have the tea In a minute"
Ben peered with sudden interest
into her face. What's troubling you.
Beer he asked gently. You're pale
as a ghost"
I'm not feeling overly we'll Her
eyes dropped before his gaze. I'm
not hungry-at all But it's nothing
20 worry about"
She saw by his eyes that he was
worrying: yet n was evident that he
had not the slightest suspicion OF tho
real cause Of the sudden paiior In
her cheeks she saw his face cloud
and his eyes darken. and again she
heard that faint. small voice OF re-
morse whispering deep In her hearts
heart. He was always SO considerate
" her. this jailsr Of hers. His con-
rcrn was always 20 real and deep.
Yet In a nomcn, more the kindly
sympathy would be gone from his
fRce. He would be Tying very still
and hts fnce would be cvcn more pals
than hers
Listiessly she walked 20 the door Of
he cave. procuring handful OF
dried red-root leaves that she used
for tsA Thru tho cavern opening no
saw her drop them into tho bucket
that served as their teapot
Then she carnc hack for the oiled.
cloth bag that contained the last Of
their sugar. This was always one Of
her little kindnesses--to sweeten his
tea for him before she brought II TO
him. He began to est his steak.
In enc glance the Girl saw that no
was wholly unsuspecting. He trusted
her: In their weeks together he had
There he was. exuitinR over tho
frugal lunch she had prepared. with
No mixing Of the deadly peril that
even now was upon him. She wished
ne did not trust her 30 completely
II would be easier for her n no was
just a little wary. little more on
guard
She felt cold all over. She could
hardly keep from shivering. But this
was the moment Of trial: the thing
would be done In a moment more.
She mustn't give way yet 10 the
growing weakness in her muscles
She walked to the vine where she had
left the potion
How much OF II there wps--if
seemed 70 have doubled In quantity
since she had left H. A handful Of
the black berries meant death-cer-
tain as the ~unrise--but what did half
a handful mean7 The question came
70 her again. How did she know
that half a handful did not mean
death. too--not Just hours OF SUM
Der. but relentless and irremedfsbis
DEATH Would that be the end Of her