The Bismarck tribune., 1925-11-21

OK else an unbelievable effron,ery.
As Tor Pierce, he was deeply re-
sentfi:l OF Joes false accusation
the memory OF that was ineradicablc
i'll view Of the out
come OF that cowardly attempt, he
had no desire for further revenge.
1t seemed to him that the fellow |
had been sufficiently punished for
his misdccJ; in fact. he could have
found it easy to feel sorry for him
had it not been Tor the ill-conccaled
malice in Joc's present tone and
attitude.
He was upon the point Of answer
ing Joc's indirect threat with a
warning. when his attention was at
tracted to 4 short, thick-sct. nervous
man at his elbow. The latter had
edged close and was staring curl;
ously at him. He spoke now. saying:
so you're Phillips. CHI
1t was Joe who replied: Sure.
This is him."
There was no need OF an intro
duction. Pierce recognized the
stranger as another McCaskcy, for
the family likeness was stamped up
on his features. During All awkward
moment the two men eyed each
other, and Joe McCaskcy appeared
to gloat as their glances cla ashcd.
This is Frank" the latter e1-
planned, with a malicious grin. Gle
and Jim was pals. And, say! Here.
another guy you ought TO meet.
He laid hand upon still second
stranger. a man leaning across the
bar in conversation with a white
aproncd attendant. Count. here's
that fellow l told you about
The man addressed turned. expos
| ing a handsome, smiling blond face
ornamcntcd with 4 wcll-cared-iot
mustachc. Il beg pardon?' he ex'
claimed, vacuously.
"Mcct Phillips. Hc can give yor
some dope on your Wiic." 10.
chucklcd. Phillips flushed; then he
palcd; his face hardened.
"Aii! To be sure" Count Cour-
tcau bowed, but he did not cxtcnt
his hands. Phillips! Yes, yes.
remember. You will understand
that I'm. distracted for news o!
Hilda. She is with you. pcrlaps:' ?
II left hsr employ at White
Horse. If She's not here, shell
probably arrive soon"
Excellent: I shall surprise her.
| Pierce spoke dryly. I'm afrait
| it won't be so much Of a surprise a.
you think. She rather expects you.
| With short nod and with wha
rrctcnsc of carclessncss lie coult
sumo he moved on toward tn
rear of the building, whence cam
ltnc SOUNDS OF music and the voice
OF d dance-hall caller,
For some time he looked on
blind!y at the whirling figures. Joe
McCaskey here! Aud Count Cour-
teau! What al astonishing coincl-
dencc! And yet there was nothin;:
SO remarkable about it; doubtless
the same ship had brought then,
north. in which event they could not
we'll have avoided Il meeting. Pierce
remembered Hi!da's prophecy that
her INDECENT husband would turn w,
like bad penny. His presence was
api,ating-ior that matter, SO was
tie presence OF Joe M:Caskcy 5
brother Frank, as yet an unknown
quantity. That he was all cnen.N
was certain; together, hc and Joe
made an evil team, and Pierce was
at a loss just how 20 meet them.
Later, when nc strollcd out OF the
saloon. he saw the three men still at
the bar; their heads were together
they were talking earnestly.
CHAPTER XVIII
Rouletta Kirby was awakened by
the sound Of chopp,s: i'll the still.
frosty morning the blows Of the az
rang out LOUDLY. For 4 moment she
lay staring upward at the sIoping
tent-roof over her bed, studying with
sleepy interest the ost-iringc
formed by her breath during the
night. This fringe was OF intricate
design: it rcsembled tatters Of tii,ny
lace and certain fragments of it hung
dowr at least foot, a warning that
the day was to be extremely cold.
Bit Rouletta needed 10 proof OF
that fact beyond the evidence. of her
nose, the tip OF which was like ice
and 50 stiff that she could barely
wrinkle it. She covered it now with
a warm palm and manipulated it
gently, solicitously.
The clIopping abruptly ceased.
'Poleon's voice greeted her gaily
"Bcm jour, ma snn! BY golly
You gcttin' be dc mos lazy gal! !
'spcct Won slcep all day only max
beeg noise
"Good morniisg!" Rouletta's 5
voice was mufled. As il repeating
a lesson, she ran on: "Ics, ] feel
fnc. l had dandy sleep; didn't
cough and my lungs don't hurt. And
no bad dreams SO ] want to get
up. There! I'm WELL"
"You hongry, too, l bet. eh:"
"oh. I'm dying. And my nose
it won't work"
Doret shouted his laughter. "You
wait. I max fire quceck an cook
de breakfas'. den-yo,f nose goin'
work all right. / got beeg sprise
for dat Ill nose to-day.
The top of Rouletta's head. her
eyes, then Iler mouth. came cautious
| " out from hiding.
What at is it. 'Poleon? Something
to cat!'
"Sabye! What I tol' you? Every
minute eat, eat! You, worse dan
l,army of Swede'. ! amt goin' tol'
you wat is dis s'prise-bineby you
smell him cookin'."
Moose meat" Rouletta cried.
"No" 'Poleon vigorously re-
stunned his labor; every stroke of the
az was, accompanied BY. a loud
"Huhw 81 fo1' YOU not'in'" !" he
declared; then after moment he
voiced one word, Caribou
Again Rouletta uttered a fan,ished
cry.
(To be continued)