The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-12-04

dously. She-ImpreSsed me Won
deriully." ,.
mo doubt" the colonel smiled.
"She's an impressive person. Are
YOU still fond OF herr"
Not in the same way"
What about this girl Laurel =
This time Pierce flushed uncom-
iortably. "1've no excuses to offer
there. sir-no explanations. We
just drifted together. 1t was long
trip and the Yukon docs that sort OF
thing. Force OF circumstance as
much as anything. l presume. I've
been trying to break away, but"
he shrugged.
you've been pretty foolish lad
Pierce remained silent at this ac-
cusation. and tho colone! went on :
However. didn't bring you here
to lecture. you. The Royal Mounted
have other things to think about
than young MASTERS who throw
themselves away. After all, it's 4
frcc-and-casy country and if you
want to play ducks and brakes it's
your own business. I merely want
YOU to realize that you've put your
self in a bad light and that you
don't come into court with clean
hands.
II understand. I put in a wake
iul night thinking about it. It's the
first time in a long while that I've
done any serious thinking"
well, don't be discouraged. A
little thinking will benefit you. Now
then. I'm going to put Rock at
work on your case, and meanwhile
YOU may have the liberty Of the
Barracks. You're a gentleman, and
trust you to act as one
Pierce was only too grateful for
this courtesy, and to realize that he
retained +he respect OF this middle
aged, soldicrly officer. whom nc had
long admired, filled him with deep
relief. He gave his promise readily
enough.
Later in the day Broad and
Bridges came in to see him. and
their indignation at tho outrage,
their positive assertion that it was
nothing less than a deliberate con-
spiracy, and SO considered among
the Front Street resorts, immensely
chccrcd him.
You remember the holler let up
when them Shecp-Campers wanted
to hans McCaskcv" Broad in
, CURED. -. Vas nv mistake. Ills
car and a hemp knot would go to-
gcthcr. like rheumatism and lini-
mcnt."
Bridges agreed. Funny, us three
nciu tillicums, amt it:' he unused.
Especially after the way VIC
dredgcd you. We didn't need Your
loose change, but---therc it was, SO
W, took it."
You'd OF done better il you d
turned on the hollow OF your foot
that day and rompcd right back TO
the old farm" Broad asserted.
You'd never OF doubled up with
the McCaskeys and you'd still be
the blushing yokcl you was" -,
"Ycs, you're : different kid now"
Both gamblers, It seemed, we're in
tho melancholy mood Tor moraliz-
ing. why, We was talkin' to Rou
letta about You this morning. She's
all bcreaved up over this thing; She
sent us here &c cheer you. You was
clean as an apple, then-and easier
to pick--now you're just common
bar-fy, the same as us. Laurie done
it. She's. the baby vampire that
made bum o. YOU"
You're not very Aattcring,' Phil
lips amifed family.
"Oh, I'm sort o; repeatin' what
Lefty said. She pu: me to- tl1inkin !.
She's quite a noisy little missionary
/ when ste gets started"
missionary" Broad exclaimed, in
disdair. Il don't like the word.
Them birds is about as useful as a
hip pocket in All undcrshirt. Why,
missionaries don't do no real. last
ing good outside of Indian villages!
Us sure-thing guys arc the best mis-
sioi:aries that ever struck this coun-
try. Look at the good we done
around Dyea and Skagway. Them
gospcl-bringers never touched it.
We met the suckers ON the edge Of
the Frozen North and we turned 'cm
0ack by the score. Them three wal
nut husks done more good than the
Ten Commandments. Yes, sir, :,
set OF cheatin' tools will save more
straycd lambs than ship-load of
Tcstaments."
Lefty figures that somebody
tossed. that go:d-sack over the top
Of the cage after you iollcred the
Count OFT"
Impossible" Pierce declared. z
II got an idea" 1t was Broad
speaking again. THE mere conteni-
plation of physical violence humans
that Frog. He'd about as soon have
la bcatin.. as have leg cut off with
a case-knifc. S'posc me and the Kid
lure him to some lonely spot-some
good yellin' -placc-a1d set upon him
witt, a coupla pick-handles. Well
make him confess or we'll MAIN and
incller him till he backs out through,
bis bootlegs. What d'you say?"
Pierce shook his head. Some
thing must be done, but / doubt il
that's it. ] It's tough to be-disgraced,
to have a thing like this hanging
over you. l wouldn't mind it half
SO muclf.if ! were. up for murder OF
arson or any man s-sizcd crime.
ANYTHING except stealing!!" !
"A mere matter OF. choice" the
former speaker lightly declared.
1--WE got boys around tho Rialto that
has tried 'em all. They don't notice
no particular difference"
For some time the three friends
discussed the situation. then, when
his visitors rose to SO, Pierce accom-
panied them to the limits of the Bar
racks premises and there stood look
ing after them, realizing with a fresh
pang that nc was a prisoner. 1t was
an slin fortunate predicament he re-
!tiected, and quite as unpleasant as