Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-02-23
By VICTOR ROUSSEAU
Copyright BY ". C. Chapman


fast as be could 90.
The righteousness Of the incident
might have tempered Winton's anger,
but for the memory of Daddy Seaton,
lying unconscious on the floor. He
went back TO Kash's store. The little
storekeeper was standing where he had
been behind the counter, and still blink
ing.
Il sell no drink r. 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-d0or for,
Kash? And why did you shut it on
met"
1.-THE trap-door lead to the cellar,
sair, where l keep things cold. Those
native mans make tunnels everywhere.
I shut on you because fear you beat
me, sair."
"Your instinct was a sound one.
Kash," said WintOn grlmly. 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 l don't
speak twice II ever / catch you selling
liquor to any one 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.
an be going, Mr.. Garrett" he said
thickly. Report work tomorrow. How
much you going to pay me7'
lie stood swaying backward and for
ward. smiling foolshly into Winton's
face. Winton depressed his disgust
with a strong effort.
How about the drink, Seaton?" he
asked.
whats the matter with drink7' de-
manded Seaton.
I'm 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" mumbIed Seaton.
Just drop ole man. Last time"
Suddenly he took fright at Wintons
look. Gimme another chance" he
begged. "For the Lords sake, gimme
another chance"
He laid his skinny, shaking fingers
on the lapeIs OF Wlnton'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 | know. De
Witt dunno. Some day I'll tell EN-.
Won't tell 'em now. Girl might leave
me. You like her, eh2 Gimme chance
on count of her"
The shrewd, old. odlous face peered
into Wintons
Gimme another chance. l want save
her from De Witt Hes got wife down
country. Maybe two OF EN-. Some day
tell 'em al joke about her. open
their 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"
That's enough !" cried Winton, and
he was surprised at the hoarseness of
his voice. II don't want to hear any
thing more from you about Miss Sea
ton. I'll give you one more chance
and only one. Report for work tomor-
row morning. and Wen get the com
pound cleaned up"
He watched the old man stagger
away along the road to Malopo, and his
thoughts tortured him. SO De Witt
had a wife down-country. and 1t was
known, and yet he could annoy Sheila :
But whatever the nature of SeatonS
Staying had been. however stringent the
penalty, II was not right that the girl
should submit 10 De Wits insults to
save her father.
SeatOn was no guardian for her
rather care, too heavy to bear He
dragged her down; it was to support
him that she was forced into her work
nj the Continental.
Winton resolved to get her away
from that life. He thought Of her with
a sudden rush Of tenderness. Why had
he not refused to accept his dismissal?
lie believed thai he could win her love.
And he loved her.
But was 1t love or faScination7 What
had they in common. he, Of Harvard,
and this frontier woman of the harrled
life7
AS he pondered he saw a buggy,
which had been travelling along the
road. hegin to turn in toward his claim.
The occupant was Judge Davis. He
saw winton and shouted to him 70
come, indicating that he could not
leave the horse.
He wrapped the relns about his right
wrist and took both Winton's hands IN
his.
mfr. Garrett, my friend, ! am the
happy bearer Of q message Of peace
and fraternity" he began In his Quaver-