The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-12-25

8 i4llAt ldltI 4 iaIllIltEu ~ ONtln GUl Ali
pair of them speaking of a plan they
had formed for in~tercepting you to
night. I didn't want to alarm you, il
case they failed to appear, but that is
why l proposed to camp beside you.
think they are INSCRIPTIONS custom.
ers. and you've probably reached the
same decision after the scene that has
just taken place"
THANK you, but 7 assure you that
am quite capable of protecting my
self" answered the girl, and Lee saw
her fingers stray toward a service
size revolver holster at her belt.
"Of course | don't want to intrude,'
said Lee. "But as long as these men
are here, l think / ought to remain"
She took a step or two toward him,
looking at him fxedly. who and
what are your she demanded with
quivering lips. How am l to know
that you are not those mems friend,
that this is not all part of an arranged
plan?'
II am not a friend, or associate of
those men," answered Lee Indignantly.
Il never saw either of them until one
of them insulted you In the hotel yes
terday evening. I know that they are
planning to do you some harm"
well, and-you?' she asked, trying
to keep her voice steady.
"You suspect me?"
ST don't know. | trust nobody. i
ask you why you are here"
My object in camping mere beside
you tonight is simply to protect you"
Lee equivocated.
She answered, with an effort at
irony. "And my answer to you is that
l do not need protection, but that this
country is free for all-for those men
and for you"
She went back into her tent, leav-
ing Lee stupefed. The pair were al
ready seated in front of their fire,
munching slabs of bread and raw
bacon. They had been watching Lee
and the girl furtively throughout the
interview. Lee wondered whether the
girls demeanor had given them any
lnkling of its termination. He had
never felt so foolish.
If they persuaded her that they
were more to be trusted, the situation
would be a serious one for her. Lees
position was certainly far more en-
barrassing than he had anticipated.
1t was almost as if the girl had de-
cided to throw in her lot with the pair
Of Free Trader agents. He had not
succeeded in convincing her that their
motives were evil. perhaps because he
had not yentured to voice his real sus-
of them to her. And he had
only succeeded in arousing her hos
And, looking at the matter in a
,~ommon-sense light, Lee realized that
had acted wrongly. He should have
her on his first arrival. He
could not blame her for refusing to
accept his word.
But what was at the bottom of her
fear of him?
The only thing left for him to do
vas to try to protect her in spite of
herself.
The friendly forest had suddenly
,rown hateful and alien. And then
lee knew what the trouble was. 1t
vas the submerged memories Of Els
ellie. She meant nothing to him now,
than nothing, and yet-well, that
lad been years ago, and he had gone
Trough all that. Still, the imprint
vas there
Suddenly, as on the night before, he
vas startled by the low sound OF
oices. Peering across the grass, he
ould just distinguish the shadowy
utlines of two figures against the
fire.
Very deliberately Lee drew his auto
latic from his belt. He had no doubt :
nat Pierre md Shorty were planning )
lischief; most probably they meant
} attack him as a preliminary to over.
owering the girl. -
And he lay watching them and
waiting for their steaithy onset
e felt more than a match for The pair
them. Tn
Minutes went by, however. The pair
.emed an unconscionable time MAX
g their arrangements. and all the
lille the discussion, which was just :
ldible without being Ineligible, went "
Lee wondered how long he had
zen lying there. It was too dark to
e his watch. He wondered why they b
ID not waited till morning, when
ere would be a better chance of :
king him unawares.
At last the black shadows separated
le of them was coming toward him
tn stealthy footsteps. Lee guessed
1t it was Shorty. the more courage a
of the two.
The figure came slowly on. Lee
ned the automatic, his finger stead
on the trigger. He would fire as
IN as it made the first hostile move
mt, as soon as it raised its weapon
cover him.
md then. in amazement, he let the or
zzle of his automatic drop. For the Uni
Ire was not coming toward him, II OF