New Britain herald., 1924-09-02
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY


 Denver was watchful. Sitting across the campfire from the two prisoners, he did not permit their least movement to go unnoticed. And the rife was always at his hand. The Wreck hoped that he might become drowsy; even an in- stants nod would be sufficient. But Denver was apparently person who could dispense with sleep when he chose. and this was obviously one of the occasions. He was d black haired, saturnine person, ap- parently rather stupid, yet smart enough to devote himself single minded to the vigil that had been ordered by his chief.
 Sally and the Wreck made all effort to pass time in conversation, but they felt no freedom of speech in the presence of Denver, who lis- tened but offered to take no part. His presence discouraged talk, par tcularly, as the one subject they wished to discuss-escape-was pro- hibited because of his inevitable eavesdropping But they boggled along for awhile. half f-heartedly, be- cause there was nothing else to do, until a deep-toned rumbling noise interrupted Sally in the middle of a sentence.
 Thunder" she remarked, casual ly Wouldn't wonderful we caught storm"
 "Uh-uh," said the Wreck, gloomi- ly
 He could imagine nothing more uncomfortable than sitting there in downpour. The camp did not even boast Q tent
 There was more rumbling from back in the hills. and twice there were flashes in the black skies. Denver added couple of sticks to the fire and huddled back again, still with the rife between his knees.
 T suppose we'll get wet" re- marked Sally, in resigned tone. Well, there's nothing on me that will get hurt"
 Let it rain." said the Wreck.
 There was a stirring of leaves on the topmost branches of the trees, followed by an atmospheric slug gishness that became oppressive. The lightning was. growing more brilliant and frequent, while the noise from the skies was multiply ing itself. Just one more discom- fort 10 be endured, the Wreck re- flected; they seemed to have encoun- tered nothing but bad luck since they left the Bar-M.
 A fresh roll of thunder as sec ond later Sally touched his arm. He glanced toward her, and found that her eyes were watching Denver across the fire.
 What" he asked.
 q didn't say anything" answered Sally.
 There was a faint frown on her forehead which he interpreted ss an order not to ask questions. Yet he knew there was something she wanted to say to him. She was still looking at Denver, and the Wreck also looked The study brought him no enlightenment. Denver sat stolidly and watched them with out interest, yet with a diligence i that was admirable. Presently the ! Wreck's attention wandered. More thunder and another touch of his arm. Sally was still staring at the man on the other side of the fire, What did she mean? Tn, l Wreck also fell to staring, although he tried to do 1t in an unobtrusive manner, Apparently it had some. thing to do with Denver.
 An instant later he had a glim, mer of understanding. There wa. a brilliant flash, then an interval O three or four seconds, then a deer below that echoed heavily through the woods. Denver's head twitched Lis glance lifted itself for an in stant toward the tree-tops, then ht huddled back and glared again a his prisoners. The Wreck settle. himself to watch.
 He had not long to wait, 4 vivid play of light in the skies, series of rolling crashes. Denver head twitched again in involuntar, accompaniment, his shoulder stirred and there was a restles movement of one hand. Once nor his eyes sought the blackness over head, only to vince when it va gashed with a white. irregula streak.
 Sally and the Wreck exchanges Eances, the latter making a fain
 movement fof his head. to signif that he understood. Denver wa afrail of thunderstorm. It scene
 so absurd that for an instant in Wreck wanted to laugh. Stolid, in sensitive to human contact, with
 jaw fastened perfectly for a heavy [ weight champion and physiqu . that matched if. Denver was th } ideal bully and bad man. Habitua ly he wore an expression that tol Of his inurement to violence. Witt out fear, he would take his chanc, , with a sheljff or anybody else. Bl [ he was afraid of thunder and ligh ] ming.
 ? The heavens crashed again, farir ? in two different directions. Denv,
 responded automatically, with witch that affected his whole bod ] The pair Of watchers saw him tigh 1, en a quivering lip, He favored the , with a look of defiant suspicion { warming that they would better ket
 out of his private affairs. Sal