The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-02-02
CHAPTER XVI
II


light from the west after the setting
Of the sun, but tonight there seemed
none at all. The reason was merely
that heavy banks of clouds swept I'D
from the southeast just after sunset.
They came with rather startling rap
tdity and almost Immediately complete
iy filed the sky. Young Bill had many
things on his mind as he rode beneath
them, yet he found time to gaze at
them with some curiosity. They were
OF singular greenish hue, and they
hung so low that the tops of nearby
mountains were obscured.
The fact that there would be no
moon tonight was no longer important.
The clouds would have cut off any tell
tale light that might illumine the ac-
tivities of the Turner's. There would
not be even the dim mist of starlight.
Young Bill rode from house to house
through the estate-the homes occu-
pied by Simon's brothers and cousins
and their respective families He
Knocked on each door and he only
gave one little message. '"Simon wants
you at the house." he said, "and come
heeied."
He would turn to 60. but always a
singular quiet and breathlessness re-
mained In the homes after his de-
parture. There would be curious
exchange of glances and certain signif-
icant sounds. One of them was the
metallic click of cartridges being
slipped into the magazine of rifle.
Another was the buckling on of spurs,
and perhaps the rattle of pistol in
its holster. Before the night fell In
reality, the clan came ridlng-strange,
tall figures In the half-darkness-
straight for Simon's house.
His horse was saddled, too, and he
met them in front Of his door. And In
a very few words he made all things
plain to them.
"We've found Dave" he told them
simply. "Most of you already know II.
We've decided there isn't any use Of
waiting any more. We're going to the
Folger house tonight"
The men stood silent, breathing
hard. Simon spoke very quietly, yet
his voice carried far. In their growing
excitement they did not observe the
reason, that a puzZling, deep calm had
come over the whole wilderness world.
Even in the quletest night there is US
ually a faint background of winds in
the mountain reaims-troubled breaths
hof xxrhf i,, hfpl, ,atu Nd rt- AZ IL,
the dead leaves-but tonight the heavy
air had no breath of life.
Tonight Bruce Folger is going to
pay the price, just as ! said" He
spoke rather boastingly; perhaps more
10 impress his followers than from I'm
pulse. Indeed, the passion that he
felt left no room for his usual ar'
rogance. Fire on sight. Bill and
Will come from the rear, and we will
be ready to push through the back door
the minute you break through the
front. The rest of you surround the
house on three sides. And remember
i no man is to touch Linda"
They nodded grimly; then the file
OF horsemen started toward the ridge.
Far distant they heard sound such
az had reached them often In summer,
but was unfamiliar In fall. 1t was
the faint rumble Of distant thunder.
Bruce and Linda sat in the front
room of the Folger house. quiet and
watchful and unarruid. 1t was not
that they did not realize their danger.
They had simply taken all possiCa
measures Of defense; and they were
waiting for what the night would
Oring forth.
II know they'll come tonight" Linda
had said. Tomorrow night there will
be a moon, and though 1t won't give
much light, 1t will hurt their chances
Of success. Besides-they've found
that their other plot-to kill you from
ambush-isn't going to work."
Bruce nodded and got up to examine
.he shutters. He wanted no ray Of
Aght to steal out into the growing
Aarkness and make target. It was
a significant fact that the rifle did not
occupy its usual place behind the desk.
Bruce kept 1t In his hands as he made
.he inspection. Linda had her empty
pistol. knowing that II might-in the
mayhap of circumstance-be OF aid In
frightening an assailant. Old Elmira
sat beside the fire. he- stiff fingers busy
at piece of sewing.
"You know" Bruce said to her,
that we are expecting an attack to-
nightr
The woman nodded, but didn't miss
4 stitch. No gleam Of interest came
into her eyes. Bruce's gaze fell to
her work basket, and something gilt
.ered from fits depth. Evidently Elmira
had regained her knife.
He went back to his chair beside
Linda, and the two sat listening. They
had never known more quiet night.
They listened In vain for the little
night sounds that usually come steal
ing. SO hushed and tremulous.. from the
forest. And they both started, ever 50
slightly, when they heard a distant
rumble Of thunder,
'It's going to storm" Linda told
nim.
.Yes. A thmderstorm-rsther un-
usual In the fall. isn't itf"