The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-07-08
CHAPTER XXI
IL
Saved by Estelle


Is be writhed until the cords drew
nd from his wrists, and the thought
81 Iovce. lost to him at the last
pough Estelle's trick, inspired him
~ still more frenzied efforts, but
tally in vain.
kuddenly a figure darted through
doorway. In his condition OF
ni-consciousness he was dimly aware
N Estelle was crouching at his
!. trying to unknot the ropes. II
impossible to see anything
pugh the thick smoke that filled
interior of the hut, and Estelle's
kers, cropping for the knots. were
strong enough to loosen them.
4&till she fought In a frenzy, mad
led by Railways desertion Of her,
blow. and Shorty's murder, hardly
bwing why she was bent upon saw
Lee when her whole life had gone
I'm in ruin. Two walls Of the hut
Re now in flames, and the whole
h was smouldering. Estelle screamed
bly, into the empty air.
zee tried to push her away. Go
er mind me !" he tried to humble
pugh his gag. And he wondered
she, who had lured him there,
now trying to save him.
Dhe bit at the ropes with her teeth,
even while she did so those
BANS continued to pour from her
=. At last, with final, despalring
she collapsed at Lees side.
Another figure staggered over the
1t was Leboeuf. He came on,
moving pillar of mud. The old In
d, attracted by the fire, and hear
Estelle's cries, had at last sue
Sded in fighting his way out Of the
ekeg. Seeing the two forms dimly
bugh the smoke, he bent down, felt
! cords about Lees limbs and body
-, with his knife, quickly slashe5
IN asunder
BE pulled the gag from Lees mouth
carried him outside. Estelle
kgered out after him. In few
tnents the fresh air revived them.
But hardly were they outside the
h when the roof collapsed with
ht crash, sending up spout Of
Irks and brands. A huge banner
hre waved where the hut had been.
! glowing brands, descending, set
to the dead reeds. Lines of fire |
swiftly out into the swamp.
fhe sound of whinneying and |
hging came from the stables, which |
he now discernible against the
khtening sky.
Monsieur !" cried Leboeuf, pointing. |
Pstelle chung to Lee. wait Waitw
cried. But even In Lees misery |
instinct to save the animals came
/. Leboeuf and he set off toward |
building, staggering through the
imp, while the fiery fingers Of the
Migration reached out toward
b..
MOI This wayl' cried Estelle,
ming toward them.
he guided them along the little
D. In a few moments Lee and
oeuf had unhaltered the animals,
led them to safety, the Indian
Tying the saddles and brides over
arm.
I the neck Of the promontory Es-
grasped at Lee again. HE Is
she cried. HE has taken her
Lake Misquash in his motor boat.
don't you care, that you stand
e like that?-
ee looked at her, despair heavy in
eyes. $50 much" he answered.
t shall follow him to the Arctic
If necessary. That is why there
o instant hurry, Estelle."
stelle could not understand his
mess. "He made me deceive you"
cried. HE swore TO me that he
id take me away with him, leav-
her in the hut with you. He said
would place a knife near you. so
you could see 1t when II grew
:. and would BE- able to free your
and her. He only wanted few
ties respite. IL believed him, b
perjured liar. He tricked me, and '
he's gone foreverI" t
e broke down in stormy sobs. Lee
nothing. At that moment, when ?
vthing seemed lost, and it was s
'ssible to save Joyce from the o
t, he could only build up endless L
mes for future retribution. He t
d pursue Railway, if necessary. t
only to the Arctic Ice, but to the r
of the earth. Butt was too L
at stunning realization kept him e
Ill and silent as If nothing mat
at all. W
the while these thoughts passed n
Ugh his mind he was walking with h
'thers across the promont DRY. 1t d
growing light now. but they could a
10 signs Of movement in the huts W
site them. Lee quickened his ~
teps, oppressed by vague fear 81
de the huts he stopped. uttered m
her McGrath lay in huddled oil
There was a bloody wound in cl
cad. Lee threw himself upon his
beside the old priest, sure that st
as dead. He took one wrist. "l