The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-10-11

elihk suspense. and IL thrilled his
diseased nerves with oNultation But
there was, from his listeners, but one
significant response at first 20 tho
oVil suggest ION that he made with
such Ubiquitous fires in his Wild
eyes and such strange. suppressed
tone in his voice. Bcss'a expression
did not change. II had already re-
vealcd the uttermost depths OF dread
Ned still held himself. cold. now. as
a serpent. waiting Tor his chance. But
the squaw paused a single instant In
her work. For one breath they failed
10 hear the chatter OF her pans, But
seemingly indifferent. she immediate.
~ went back 60 her toll.
Bcss shook her hear IN desperate
appeal. WALT TIL morning." hhe
pleaded. "Fm tired now"
Ned saw hy tho gathering fury Of
their masters face that her refusal
would only bring ON the crisis, 80 he
leapcd swiftly into the breach. sure,
hess, let's 80 90 lock az them" ho
said. I'm anxious 20 see 'cm too
poomsdorf whirled 20 him. and his
guHc was aS n trial 81 fire 90 Ned.
Yet tho latter did not finch. For a
long second they regarded each other
In implacahlo hatred. and then
poomsdorf's sudden start told that no
had been visited by inspiration. His
leering look Of contempt was almost
a smile sure. come along. he said.
I've got something 10 say 70 you
too. To spare IGNORES feelings
wen so 20 tho other cabin"
Ned was not in the least deceived
by this reference TO Lcnore. poomu.
dorf had further cause. other than re-
gard FOR IGNORES senaibiiitics. fof
continuing their conversation in the
other cabin. what II was Ned did
not know. and no dared not think.
And he had "a vague impression that
while he and Doomsdorf had waged
their battle OF eyes. Bcss had mys.
teriously moved from her position.
lie had left her Just az Doomsdorf'a
right: when ha saw her again she
was fully ten feet distant. within a
few feet OF the euphoards where tho
squaw kept many Of the food sup.
plies. and now was busy with her
parka of caribou skin.
She led tho way out into Tho clear
icy night. IL was ono Of those SIN.
clear. late winter evenings. not 30
cold as Il had been. when the frozen.
snow swept world gave no image %
reality 20 the senses. Tho snow
wastes and tho velvet depths Of tho
sky were lurid. flashing with thou.
sand ever. changing hucs from Tho
giant Kaleidoscope OF the Northern
Lights Moved and held by this won.
der that never grows old 20 tho north.
crn man. Doomsdorf halted them Just
without the cabin door
As they watched. the procession Of
colors suddenly ceased. leaving world
and sky an incredible monochrome In
red. II Was wanly red NJ first. but
the warm hue slowly deepcncd until
ono could imagine that the spirits OF
all the dead. aroused for some eosnic
holiday. we're lighting flares o. red
fire. II was a strange sight even
Tor these attitudes. but this lamhen,
mystery is ever beyond tho ken Of
man. The name that Doomsdorf
had given his island had never
seemed so fitting as nov. In the
carmlno glow tho bearded face of
the master Of the tale was suddenly
the red.husd visagc Of Satan.
But the light dicu away az ia1 and
the falling darkness called them back
10 tlicrnselyes The lust that fired
Doomsdorf's blood. the fear like the
Arctic cold IN the veins Of Ned and
Bees. vas all worldly enough. For
moment he studied their pale. tense
faces.
There's no need OF going far.
Their" he said in his deep. rumbling
voice There was no need OF even
coming here. You seem 10 be forget
ting. you two. where you are--ali the
! things told you at first"
He paused. and his voice Ind drop.
ped. and the tone was strange and
even. dreadful TO hear. when he spoke
again. I've evidently been too easy
with YOU" he went on. 'I1l see that
correct that fault In the future.
You, Ned. made n serious mistake
when you Interfcred In this matter
tonight. I'll SEQ II can't teach you
10 keep your place. And Bsss-long
ago / told you that your body and
your soul were mine---to do with
what ! liked. You seemed 10 have
forgotten--but I intend that you will
call II 10 mind--again."
But Ned Htifi fnced him when he
paused. eyes steadfasi. his face an
iron gray in the wan light. His train
ing had been hard and true. and he
siili found strength TO stand erect.
II want to tell you thls-ln re.
ply" he answered in the clear. firm
voice Of one who has mastered fear.
We know we'll enough what you can
do to US. But that doesn't mean that
we're going to yield to you--to every
one OF your evil wishes. Life isn't
80 pleasant 10 either one OF US that
wen submit 10 everything in order
to live. No matter what you do to
mel know what I'll do to you IN
you try TO carry out your wicked de.
signs by force"
Doomsdorf eyed him calmly. but
the smile OF contempt was wholly
gone from his lips. You'll show
flght2' he asked.
with every ounce I've got! You
may master ne--wlth every advan.
tage Of weapons and physical
strength--but you1l have TO kin me
first Boss viii kill herself before
shell yield TO you. You won't be
better off-you'il simply have no one
to do your trapping for you. II isn't
worth II. Doomsdorf."
He eyed them n moment coolly and
casually. when want anything.
Ned. I want 1t bad enough to pay all
I've got for It" he said In n remark.
ably even tone. Don't presume that
/ value your lives so much that mi
turn one step from my course. BE.