The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-01-11

vi ptrpltAity Ut thc pttuiiui turn III
fairs had taken. You're not Dave
Turner" he said wonderfngiy.
Dim though the voice was. there
was considerable emphasis In the tone,
Hudson seemed quite sure Of this
point, whether or not he knew any
thing concerning the dark gates he
was about to enter. He wouldn't have
spoken greatly different IL he had
been sitting in perfect health before
his wi camp fire and the shadow was
now already so deep his eyes could
scarcely penetrate IL.
NO." Bruce answered. Dave Tur'
ner Is up a tree He didn't eve wait
to shoot"
"Of course he wouldn't" HudsoH
spoke with assurance. The words
dimmed at the end. and he half-closed
his eyes as IL he were too sleepy to
stay awake longer. Then Bruce saw
a strange thing. He saw, unmistak-
able as the sun in the sky, the signs
of a curious struggle in the mans
face.
The trapper-a moment before sink
ing into the calm of death-was fight
ing desperately for "A few moments OF
respite. There could be no other ex.
PLANTATION. And he won IL at last
an interlude of half a dozen breatlis.
"Who are your he whispered.
Bruce bowed his head until his ear
was close to the lips. Bruce Folger,''
he answered,-for the first time In his
knowledge speaking his full name.
"Son OF Matthew Folger who lived AT
Trails End long ago
The man still struggled. II knew
it," he said. IL saw tin your face. |
see-everything now. Listen-can you
hear met"
Yes"
IL just did a wrong-there's a
hundred dollars in my pocket that |
just got for doing 1t. | made Il prom.
ise-to lie to you. Take the money
II ought to be yours, anyway-and
hers; and use IL toward fighting the
wrong. 1t will 90 a little way"
YES" Bruce looked him full in the
eyes. mo matter about the money,
What did you promise Turner"
THAT I'd lie to you. Grip my arms
with your hands-till II hurts. I've
only got one breath more Your ~
ther held those lands only in trust-thc
Turner's deed is forged. And the
secret agreement that | Witnessed Is
hidden"
The breath seemed to go out Of the
man. Bruce shook him by the shout
ders. Dave, still In the tree, strained
TO hear the rest. "YeS-whereY
ITS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. The
words were no longer audible to Dave
and what followed Bruce also strained
to hear in vain. The lips ceased mov
ing. The shadow grew in the eyes
and the lids hickered down over them
A traveller had gone.
Bruce got up, a strange, cold light
in his eyes. He glanced up. Dave
Turner was climbing slowly down the
tree. Bruce made six strides and
seized his rifle.
- tii'NN WI INV va u.s.
He chung fast to the tree limbs, as il
he thought Il bulIet-like a griZzly's
claws-could not reach him there
Bruce laid the gun behind him, ther
stood waiting with his own weapon
resting in his arms.
Come down, Dave he commanded
The bear is gone"
Dave crept down the trunk and
halted at its base. He studied the
cold face before him. Better not try
nothing" he advised hoarsely.
"Why not?" Bruce asked. "Do you
think I'm afraid of a cowardI' The
man started at the words; his head
bobbed backward as If Bruce had
struck him beneath the jaw with his
fist.
People don't call the Turner's cow
ards and walk off with it, tire inaf
told him.
ION, the lowest coward !" Bruce
said between set teeth. THE yellow
est, mongrel towards Your own con
federate-and you had 10 drop your
gun and run up a tree. You might
have stopped the bears charge"
Dawes face twisted in "a scOwl
You're brave enough now. Wait tC
see what happeas later. Give me my
gun. I'm going to GO"
You can 60, but you don't get your
gun. I'll fill you full of lead If you
try 10 touch it,"
Dave looked up with some care. He
wanted TO know for certain IL this
tenderfoot meant what he said The
man was blind In sOrne things, his
vision was twisted and dark. but he
made no mistake about the look on
the cold, set face before him. Bruce's
finger was curled about the trigger
and il looked to Dave as IL 1t ltchet
to exert further pressure.
Il don't see why | spare you. any
way" Bruce went on. His tone was
self-reprOachful. God knows l hadn',
ought Remembering who and what
you are. If you'd only give me one
little bit Of proyocation-"
Dave saw lurid lights growing In
the mans eyes; and all at once a con
ciusion came to him. He decided ne {
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