The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1925-03-12
Copyright by w. q. Chapman.
WNU Service

side the motor BOAT among the reeds.
Railway had reached the side of the
boat before Estelle recognized Joyce
in his arms. She sprang toward him
with a cry. But Railway coolly placed
the girl in the bottom, and quickly
fastened the ends of the rope about
the seat. The boat, wedged in the
sand, only tilted a little as Joyce
struggled.
Jim, what does 1t mean? You
swore-you swore you'd leave her in
the hut screamed Estelle frantically.
Railway swore at her. She ran at
him like a fury, and he dealt her a
blow in the face that struck her to
the ground.
She got up dazed. staggered toward
him, and stood still az the bright
spire Of light burst upward from the
burning hut. At the same instant a
single pistol shot came from the end
of the promontory, followed by a sud
den outcry.
Hold that d-n she-wolf for a mo-
ment, Shorty" said Railway, coolly /;
and, as Shorty threw himself upon
Estelle, who had begun to scream
frantically again, he turned aside,
found the bag of gold, and, lifting it
in his arms, staggered to the boat.
and, with a mighty heave, raised it
over the gunwale and placed 1t in the
bottom.
With a mighty heave OF his Shout
ders he pushed the motor boat into
the water.
The shouting IN the promontory
ming toward them; then, at Estelle's
screams, broke and doubled back
again. Only pathway had seen-not
Shorty, gasping as he wrestled with
Estelle.
"W-what'n l do with herr" Shorty
gasped.
PATHWAY regarded the pair compla-
Gently. Everything was his; n in
slant now and every care would have
fallen from his shoulders. And there
was that -d-n woman screaming!
Shorty dealt Estelle a blow that
sent her staggering back. He swung
around to Railway.
Good bye, Shorty" said Railway
softly, and shot him through the head.
The body tottered and dropped at
Estelle's feet. Railway leaped into
the boat, pushing it from the shore.
AS Estelle ran into the water he felled
her with an oar.
Next moment he was at the engine,
and the put-put began. The boat shot
out into the lake. The rattle of the
motor was like music in Railways
ears. He held the craft steady with.
out difficulty against Joyce's incessant
efforts to overturn it. Seeing that she
had too much leeway, he stopped and
frightened the rope that hound her to
the seat.
On the margin Of the lake Estelle
stood with arms raised to the bright
ening sky, screaming as if she were de-
mented. Suddenly she turned and dis
appeared among the reeds that fringed
the shore.
Behind the promontory the hut was
going up in a vast sheet of flame.
Railway chuckled. All his fears
had disappeared forever. He looked
at Joyce, who was now lying quiet in
the bottom of the boat. He looked at
the gold. The girl and the gold! He
said that over and over Already he
was far out upon the breast of the
lake, and the promontory was dwind-
ling behind him.
He looked at the drum of gasoline
IN the bow, tried to lift it, and assured
that 1t was full. He smiled.
Nothing could thwart his plans. He
bent over Joyce.
Its all ended, dearie," he said.
"Soon as you nod to show you're
willing to work with me-, I'll unfasten
you"
Joyce did not nod, and he continued
"You know | don't want to hurt you,
MY dear. Just nod to show you won't
try to upset the boat, and I'll set you
free"
Joyce took no notice. Railway took
the gag out of her mouth. But,
he had been prepared for an
outburst of invective, such as he
have expected from Estelle, she
did not utter a word.
Railway knew the navigation OF
every river and stream within a radius
Of a hundred miles. AS his motor
boat shot down the short arm of the
lake the promontory disappeared from
view. And 1t seemed TO him that 9
ong chapter in his life was closed
He spoke to Joyce again, and per-
APPS a little element of unselfishness
the man made his appeal pathetic:
Joyce. If you'll let me unfasten you
nd not try to upset the boat, II
you I'll not harm you or try /,
0 touch you-not till you want me to-"
But Joyce made no response, and {
pathway. perplexed. loosened her I
sufficiently to protect