The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-12-12

Joe McCaskey uttered cry,
scream. The fame was crushed in
his palms and again the cabin was
ink black. 1t remained as silent as
before except for dry rafting of
breath in the elder brothers throat
"Wha-what d you--see 2" the
younger one gasped. Both men
were now fully awake. but, disre.
garding the question. Joe cried,
wildly:
"Nho arc you? What d'you
want?" And then. when no answer
came: Christ! Say something"
/'Poleon could hear the wretch
moisten his dry lips; he could pic
ture both men sitting bolt upright
in their sleeping bags; he could feel
the terror that was creeping over
them.
Who'd you see?" Frank wills.
pered again.
"S-something big! Right there
BY God! Something's in here!'
JOe's tone was firmer now never
theless. fright still held him motion
less, paralyzed. He was staring with
blind eyes into the velvet blackness,
and his flesh was ripping with
superstitious horror of that form
less creature he had glimpes. What
was it that had walked in out of the
night and now crouched ready to
spring? Nothing human, nothing
natural. that was sure.
Similar thoughts raced madly
through his brothers brain, and the
latter let forth thin wail-almost
a Sob. The sound set Toe into mr.
ton. Swiftly but cl,,mIsily he fun
bled through the dry grass witt
which his bunk was filled. He ut
tered tllroaty curse, for he liat
laid his revolver by his side, rich,
where his hand would fall upon it.
Where was the thing?
Joe's body turned rigid, his shak.
ing fingers grew stiff and useless,
when out OF the darkness came a
sigh-faint but ,lnmistakable; whence
It issNed neither brother could tell.
With another shrek Frank fel!
back and burrowed into his sleep
ing-bag.
CHAPTER xxx
Rouletta Kirby spent an anxious
and thoughtful night. The more
she dwelt upon Laure's peculiar be-
havior the more it reused her sus-
picions and the more she felt justi-
he'd III seeking an interview will,
Colonel Cavendish. She rose early.
therefore. and went to Police Head
quarters.
Two people were in the office when
She entered, one a redcoat, evidently
acting in some clerical capacity: the
other a girl whom Rouletta had
never seen. The colonel was en-
gagged, so Rouletta was told, and she
sat down to wait With furtive curl
osity she began to study this other
young woman. 1t was plain that the
latter was privileged person, for
she made herself perfectly at home
and appeared to be not in the least
chilled by the official Formally of
her surroundings She wandered
restlessly about the room, humming
a tune under her breath; she read
justed the window-curtains to her
liking; she idly thumbed the books
upon the shelves; finally she perched
herself upon the table in the midst
OF the documents upon which the
officer was engaged, and. BEGAN a
Iow-voiced conversation with him.
When. eventually, the command
ant himself emerged from his sane
tum, he paused for moment at his
daughters side; then he approached
Very briefly the latter made
known the reason of her presence,
ard the colonel nodded.
"You did quite right in coming
here" he declared, land I'm sure
this dance-hall girl knows more
than she has told. In fact, was
on the point of sending for her.
Please wait until she arrives. Per-
haps we can straighten out this
whole unpleasant affair informally.
III need Phillips, too. Meanwhile.
there's friend of yours inside"
Stepping to the inner door. he spoke
TO some one, and an instant later the
Countess Courteau came forth.
Rouletta had not seen the Coun-
tess. alone since early the previous
evening. She went swiftly to Mr.
now and placed an arm about her
shoulders. Hilda responded to this
mark of sympathy with = weary
smile.
"Weil, I had TO 90 through with
i 70 the bitter end she said. in q
low voice. Henri didn't spare me
even that" =.
(To Be coutnued)