Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-03-03

ridge We will have to stumble along
through the dark. Do you think you
can make itp
"Of course, I can" and she placed
her hand confidingly In his. 81 am all
right now; really l am; I guess all
needed was TO get my breath"
He grasped her arm, helping her to
Chamber up the steep bank, suddenly
becoming aware that the sleeve felt
dry.
"Why, Natalie, your clothes seem to
have all dried off already; mine are
soaked through" he exclaimed in sur
prise
She laughed, a faint tinge of mock
cry in the sound.
mo mystery whatever. This light
stuff dries quickly, exposed to the air.
Did you think you had hold of the
wrong girl?"
The tone of her voice stung slightly.
causing him to make a sober answer.
THAT would, of course. be improb-
able, but l have been so completely
deceived. even by daylight, that l dare
not affirm that it would prove impos-
sible. Your counterfeit is certainly
wizard"
"She must be- But as she Is miles
away from here. you might let the
suspicion rest. Is this where we go
DOWN.
She led the way the action awaken
ing no question in his mind. If he
thought at all about her thus assum-
ing the initiative, the suspicion was
dismissed with the idea that probably
her eyes were more keen to discover
the best path. In this she was Ger
tainly successful and he contented
himself by following her closely. but
vaguely he felt that in some almost
imperceptible manner she had changed
her mood. He could not base his
thoughts on q single word, or action,
yet he felt the difTierence-this was
not the Natalie OF the raft. She was
too irritable too sharp of speech. But
then. no doubt. she was tired, worn
out her nerves broken. So he drove
the thought from him, clinging close
TO her arm, and vaguely wondering
how she was able TO trace the path so
easily. By this time even West could
recognize that they were proceeding
along a well-used path, and he was
not surprised when she announced the
presence of the house before them,
pointing out the dim shadow through
the gloom.
THAT is no hut" he exclaimed in
surprise. 1T looks more like a man
sion"
And why not?" pleasantly enough.
q have always heard these bluffs
were filed with summer homes. I'm
fortunately this one appears to be de-
serted"
But there must be some one about
here West insisted. For this was
the house I saw from the ridge. and
there was light turning then in one
Of the windows. and there was wisp
Of smoke rising from a chimney"
She stepped boldly forward. and
placed her hand on the knob of the
door.
Why she whispered, excitedly. 1T
is unlocked; see. I can open it. Per-
haps something is wrong here. What
shall we do?"
Knock first; then II there is no re-
Spouse, we can feel our way about IN
side. Ny matches are all wet"
She raped sharply on the wood;
waited for some reply, and then called
out. Not a word reached them from
within. West, his teeth clinched.
stepped n through the open door, de-
Jermian- 70 learn the secret Of that
mysteriou interior. With hands out
stretched he felt his way forward. by
sense Of touch alone assuring himself
mat he traversed a hall carpeted. his
extended arms barely reaching from
we'll 10 wall He encountered no fur
hiture, and must have advanced some
Two yards, before his cropping dis
closed the presence Of a closed door
On the left. He had located the knob.
"Aen the outer door suddenly closed.
as though blown sIut By a draught Of
wind and, al the same instant. his
eyes were blinded by a dazzling out
burst Of light.
This came with such startling. unex-
peeted brilliancy that West staggered
back as though struck. For the in
slant he was positively blind; then he
oimly perceived a man standing be-
i7Fe him-a man who. little by little.
became more clearly defined, racog
1-zahle suddenly exhibiting the 1ea-
lures q Jim Hobart sarcasucaIy grin
Ming into his face.
4ou ere evidently a cat of Mrs
ives West" he said gnearn-ly. Bur
WIS ought 20 be the last Of them
rar q moment West Iost alI control
over himself He was toe completely
eel for either words OF. ct
aa5T stare into thar mo. siu1
nee epuft nrn biz en-
sense vhat had rs.,v ~
fas undo ss-F.r 4u-d