The Bismarck tribune., 1925-11-06
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER s., 1926
R12$Zs|aI|a|lsk RF l''al|
Published by Arrangement First and
Lloyd Productions, Inc.
CHAPTER VIII. (cont;nued)

CHAPTER VIII. (continued)
A similar epithet was upon his
foriner partners tongue. Linton
was saying to himself, "Old Jerry's
enjoying life now, but wait till his
hre goes out and it starts to rain"
He chuckled malieiously and then
rehearSed speech of curt refusal
Tor use when Quirk came to the tent
and begged shelter from the wealth
er. There would t< nothing doing.
Tom made ZIP his mind to that; he
tried several insults under his breath,
then he offered up vindictive pray
er tor rain. hail, sleet, and snow. A
howling Dakota blizzard, he decided.
would exactly suit him. He was a
bit rusty on prayers. but whatever
his appeal may have lacked in polisl,
It made up in carncstness, for never
did petition carry aloft a greater
weight of yearning than did his.
Tom fried his baccu in stewpan.
Tor the skillet had been divided with
a cold chisel and neither half was of
the slightest use to anybody. After
ne had eaten his pilot-bread. after
he had drunk his cup of bitter tea
and crept into bed, he was prompted
20 amend his prayers, for he discov-
cred that two blankets were not CO.
Ing to be enough for MIN. Even the
satisfaction of knowing that Jerry
must feel the want even more keenly
han did he failed TO warm him suffi-
s,entlv Tor thorough com fort. Tom
was tired enough to Swoon, but he
refused to close his eyes before the
ram camc--what purpose was served
by retributive justice unless fellow
STAYED on the job to enjoy it?
Truth to say. this sell denial cost
him little, for the night had brought
chill will, it and the tent was
damp. Linton became aware. crc
long. that he couldn't go to sleep,
no matter how he tried, so he rose
ana put on extra clothes. But even
Then he shivered, and thereafter, OF
course, his blankets served no pur-
pose whatcyer He and Old Terry
were accustomed to sleeping spoon
fashion, and not only did Tom miss
those other blankets, but also his
rX-partner's bodily heat. He would
nave risen and rckindlcd his camp
f're had it not been for his reluc-
tancc to afford Quirk the gratitica-
ion OF knowing that he was un-
comfortable. Some people we're Just
malicious enough to enjoy a man S
:ufferings.
Well. II he were cold here in this
sung shelter, Jerry must be about
frozen under his Tapping ny. Prob
ably the old fool was too stubborn
to whimper; no doubt he'd pretend
to be enjoying himself, and would
die. sooner than acknowledge him
sell IN the wrong. Jerry had cour-
age, that way. but-this would serve
him right, this would cure him.
Linton was not little disappointed
when the rain continued to hold off.
CHAPTER TX
The change in the weather ha
mot escaped Pierce Phillips motto,
and before going to bed he steppc
out of his tent to study the sky.
was threatening. Recalling extray
agant stories Of the violence at
tanned by storms III this mountain
lake country, he decided to max
sure that his boats and cargo wer
out of reach of any possible DANCE,
and SO walked down to the shore.
a boistcrous wind had reused ! ak
i-lndernnan, and out of the ink
blackness came the sound of its al,
ger. AS Pierce groped his way I'D t
the nearest skiff he was startled b.
receiving sharp challenge in tn
Countess Courteau's voice.
Who is that she cried.
Its !. Pierce" he answerc,
quickly. He discovered the woma,
finally, and. approaching closer. Il
saw that she was sitting on a pile O
freight. her heels drawn up beneatl
her and her arms claspcd aroun,
her knees. Il came down to max
sure everything was snug. Blu
what are YOU doing l,ere?"
She looked down into his up
turned face and her white tcetl
showed III a smile. II came for tn
same purpose. Now I'm waiting
for the storm TO break. You cal
make out the clouds when your eye
grow accustomed"
Its too windy. You'll catcl
cold" he declared.
"Oh, I'm warm, and l low
storms" She stared out into tn
night, then added, I'm storm,
creature"
Again he urged her to return (,
her tent, and in his voice was sucl
genuine concern that she laid he
hand upon his shoulder. 1t was
warm. impulsive gesture and it be
trayed grateful appreciation of hi
solicitudc; it was the first familiar
ity she had ever permitted hersel
to indulge in, and when she spoke
was in an unusually intimate tone
YOU'RE a good friend, Pierce.
don't know what I'd do withou
you."
Phillips surprise robbed him mo
mentarily OF speech. This woman
possessed a hundred moods; fey
hours before she had treated hin
with cool indifference that was al
most studied; now, without appar
ent reason, she had turned alnios
affectionate. Perhaps it was TIL
night, or the solitude, that drey
them together; whatever the reason
those first few words, that one i'm
pulsive gesture, assured Pierce tina
they were very close to each other
{NT TIN SVrnsp1Ank ot voact
"1'm-glad," he said, finally. F"
wish I were more wish" =,
WHAT" she queried, when h
hesitated.
Il wish you couldn't do withou
me-. It was out; he realized in
panic that his whole secret wa
hers. With no faintest intention o
Sneaki1p even of hio+;no at III