The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-02-21
By VICTOR ROUSSEAU
Copyright by w. G. Chapman

natives, who, seeing Winton, ran off a
fast as be could go.
The lddicrOusness of the inciden
might have tempered Winton's anger
but foi the memory Of Daddy Seaton
lying unconscious On the floor. He
went back to Kash's store. The little
storekeeper was standing where he ha(
been behind the counter, and still blink
ing.
81 sell no drink" he protested, fling
ing out his hands. "If you beat me ]
have you arrested. These men from
the compound, sair, they get their
drink from other mans"
"What do you have a trap-door for,
Kash? And why did you shut it on
me?"
1.-THE trap-door lead to the cellar,
sair, where l keep things cold. Those
native mans make tunnels everywhere.
l shut on you because l fear you beat
me, sair."
your instinct was a sound one,
Kash," said Winton grimly. There
are few things | should like better"
He leaned across the counter and
shook his fist very deliberately under
Kash's nose. "Listen carefully" he
said. "You'd better, because | don't
speak twice. If ever l catch you selling
liquor to any n from my claim, black
or white, or yellow, I'll break every
bone in your carcass"
Disregarding the little traders vol
uble protests he went back to his
claim, to find Seaton standing at the
door of the cottage. The old man
recognized him and came staggering
toward him.
"Ill be going, Mr.. Garrett" he said
thickly. REPORT work tomorrow. How
much you going to pay me?"
He stood swaying backward and for
ward, smiling foolishly into Winton's
face. Wilson repressed his disgust
with a strong effort.
"How about the drink, Seaton?" he
asked.
whats the matter with drink?" de-
handed Seaton.
"I1l have no drinking in my com
pound. What about your promise of an
hour or so ago? Is this the way you
intend to keep it,"
"That's all right" mumbled Seaton.
"Just a drop, ole man. Last time"
Suddenly he took fright at Winton's
look. Gimme another chance" he
begged. For the Lords sake, gimme
another chance"
He laid his skinny, shaking fingers
on the lapels of Winton's coat.
Gimme chance for Sheila's sake" he
begged. "You know Sheila. Fine girl.
Best girl in Malopo. De Wits been
after her ever since he saw her last
time. When he knew her before she
was too little for him. Now he's taken
fancy to her. Want save her from De
Witt. She dunno what l know. De
Witt dunno. Some day I'll tell 'em.
Won't tell 'em now. Girl might leave
me. You like her, Ell? Gimme chance
on count of her.
The shrewd, old, odious face peered
into Winton's.
"Gimme another chance. l want save
DC WILL. L gu VI 0O"A
country. Maybe W. of EN-. Some day
tell 'em all joke about her. Open
heir eyes. You gimme another chance,
Mr. Garrett, and I'll have joke on De
Witt, and bring her here where he
can't get at her."
lie was surprised at the h%oarseness of
lis voice. Il don't want to hear any
hing more from you about Miss Sea-
on. I'll give you one more chance,
md only one. Report for work tomor-
morning, and we'll get the com
,ound cleaned up"
He watched the old nan stagger
way along the road to Malopo, and his
thoughts tortured him. SO De Witt
lad a wife down-country, and it was
.nown, and yet he could annoy Sheila
But whatever the nature of Seaton's
had been, however stringent the
it was lot right that the girl
hould submit to De Wits insults to
ave her father.
Seaton was no guardian for her,
ather a care, too heavy to bear. He
ragged her down; it was to support {
i'm that she was forced into her work
the Continental. t
Winton resolved to get her away J
rom that life. He thought of her with t
sudden rush Of tenderness. Why had I
e not refused to accept his dismissal? t
[e believed that he could win her love.
he loved her. |
But was it love or fascination? What q
ad they in common, he, of Harvard, i
nd this frontier woman of the harried f
fe?
AS he pondered he saw a buggy, a
hich had been travelling along the V
,ad, begin to turn in toward his claim.
he occupant was Judge Davis. He q
wv Winton and shouted to him to n
indicating that he could not e
ave the horse. 0
He wrapped the reins about his right a
rist and took both Winton's hands in
s.
'Mr. Garrett, my friend, l am the b
lppy bearer of a message of peace