The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-11-06

Tho tents were up, a blk camp
fire was blazing brightly, when
Pierce Phillips, huuieucd with "a huge
armtul OF spruce boughs and blinded
by the illumination. stepped too close
to tho rivers rim aud felt the soil
beneath him crumblo way. Down he
plunged. amid an avalanche OF earth
and gravel. the last sound he heard
before the 10y waters received him
was Laure's affrighted scream. Au
instant later hc had seized sweep
er. 20 which he chung until help
arrived. OF the entire party. lauro
Alono had no comment 20 make upon
the accident.
While one 81 tho men ran for
Piorces dufne-hag, Best came hur'
Tying with "A bottle which nc prof
fsred TO Pierce.
A short time later, when Pierce
reappearcd, clad In dry garments, he
felt none the worse Tor hts mlshap,
Laure drew him out OF hearing
then inquired. anxiously. "Arc YOU
AL right again
''Sure I feel great"
I'll thought ia die when ! saw
YOU disappear" She shuddercd and
hid her face in her hands Tor sec
ond time.
Suddenly Phillips discovered that
this girls concern Effected him deep
ly, for IL was genuine-it was not In
the least put on All az once she
seemed very near 20 him, very much
a part OF himself She swayed closer;
she took the lapcls OF his coat be-
tween her gloved fingers and drew
his head down 10 hers. then she
kissed him fun upon the lips. Slow
ly, rcsolutely. his arms enclrcled her
The closing scenes OF the great
autumn stampede 10 Dawson were
picturesque. for the rushing river
was crowded with boats all racing
with one another.
Out OF all the traffic that flowed
past the danee.hah party. among all
tho boats they oyerhauled and lett
behind. Pierce Phillips nowhere rec
ognlzed the Countess Courteau's cut
III. Whether she was ahead or
whether they had outdlstaneed her
he did not know and inquiry re-
warded him with no hint.
As for Laure. he knew her very
we'll by now and she knew him-even
better. This knowledge had come 70
them not without cost-wisdom Il
never cheap-but precisely what each
Of them had paid or was destined 20
pay for their better understanding Of
each other they had not the slightest
idea.
Pierce strolled into ono OF the
larger saloons aud gambling houses,
and was con,entedly cycling the
scene when he felt gaze fixed upon
him. He turned his head. opened his
lips TO speak. then stIffened In his
tracks. He could not credit hts
senses, for there, lounginE at ease
against the bar, his face distorted
into an evil grin. stood Joe McCaskeyl
Pierce was inclined 10 ignore the
salutatlon. but curiosity got the bet
ter OF him and he answered:
''wellI This Is surprise. DO
you own pair OF seven League boots
or-what?''
McCaskey barred his teeth In tri.
uunph he said: Thought you'd lost
me, didn't you? But / fooled you
fooled all OF you. jumped out to
the States and caught the last boat
for st. Michael. made connection
there with the last up-river packet,
and-here / am. don't quit; I'm
finisher."
Pierce was upon the point OF
answering Joe's indirect threat with
a warning. when his attention vas
attracted 20 a short. thick-set, nerv-
Gus 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"
II 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
upon his features. During an awk-
ward moment the two men eyed each
other, and Joe McCaskey appeared
TO gloat as their glances cIashed.
This is Frank" the latter cx-
planned with malicious grin. He
and Jim was pals And. say! Here's
another guy you ought 10 meet" lie
laid a hand upon still second
stranger, man leaning across the
bar in conversation with a white.
aproned attendant. Count. here's
that fellow / told you about"
The man addressed turned. expos
ing a handsome, smiling blonde face
ornamented with a wellcared-for
mustache. Il beg pardon?" he ex-
claimed. vacuously
Meet Phillips. He can give you
some dope on your wife" Joe
chuckled. Phillips flushed; then he
paled; his face hardened
"Ah! To be sure" Count Courteau
bowed, but he did not extend his
hand. Phillips! Yes. yes. remem.
Der. You will understand that I'm
distracted for news Of Hilda, She Is
with you. perhaps?"
II left her employ at White Horse.
II she's not hero, she'll probably
arrive soon"
Excellent; / shall surprise her"
Pierce spoke dryly. I'm afraid 1t
won't be so much OF n surprise as
YOU think. She rather expects you"
With short nod and with what pre-
tense Of carelessness he could as
sumo he moved on toward the rear Of
the building, whence came tho sounds
Of music and the voice of dance.
nall caller.
Later, when he strolled 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
l..