The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-04-15
Ry
By
Victor Rousseau
Copyright by W. @. Chapman.)
WNU Service.

CeSSlOu Oh plle-QrlVer DlOWS Iudl Icll
like falls upon each others faces and
bodies. They clinched, rebounded,
clinched again then of q sudden Rath-
way got home furious kick to the
| groin that sent Lee stumbling.
For the first time Estelle screamed,
and that aroused Lee to the conscious
ness that he must finish his enemy
almost Immediately. before aid arrived
He shook away the film that was creep
ing over his eyes, and, sick and nau-
seated from the kick, he closed with
Railway again. They went to the floor
Of the hut together, and struggled
there like two dogs In the dirt.
There was no longer any attempt at
hsticuffs. The primitive instinct to
rend and tear possessed both of them
equally. They scrambled about the
floor Of the hut. clawing at each 9TH
er's Threats. Lee got Railways beard
In his right hand, and with his left
began smashing at his nose and lips.
Railway beloved, his hands closed on
Lees throat chung there, worrying
him like bulldog. Lee felt that he
was fainting. He was slowly forced
over; Railways fingers closed on his
neck.
The two frightened, and the walls Of
the hut began TO waver. Lees trachea
hattened, his lungs felt as If they
would burst. Railway grinned dia-
bolically into his face; his beard like
some foul fungus swept 1t. Lee flung
his arms out instInctively to breathe.
One of his hands encountered some
thing. 1t was the pistol
Lees fingers closed on It, And, as
If he concentrated all that was left of
himself in his left hand, he raised the
weapon and brought It crashing down
upon Railways skull.
Instantly Railways clutch relaxed,
his eyes glazed. as chickens eyes glaze
at the moment Of death. The mans
head dropped foolishly forward on
Lees breast. A stream Of curses was
cut of In foolish mutterings
Lee struggled to his feet and stood
gasping for breath, while Railway,
mumbling stupidity, swayed to and fro
upon his knees on the floor Of the hut
Suddenly Estelle appeared to be
galvanized into life. With a low cry
she ran to Railways side, knelt down
by him. and put her arms about him.
She drew his head down on her knees
and began chatting his hands. She
looked at Lee In bitter hate.
Haven't you done me wrong enough
in the past, that you should come here
to kill my man?" she cried. do you
think you can arrest him? You
couldn't get a mile from here before
you would be captured"
But Lee. without paying any atten-
ton to her, hurried to the bedside, and |
looked down at the captured girl. She |
lay there, an unconscious, huddled |
heap, one knee bent under her. her |
face was deathly white, and there was |
which had been bleeding freely. She |
breathed family. Her hair was cut |
short and jagged about her head.
making her look more than ever like |
a boy.
Estelle laid Railway gently down
and came toward Lee with sudden
Its for herr she
earnestly, laying her hand
upon his arm. You came here to
rescue herr"
She read the answer In his eyes
"Oh, I'll help you, I'll help you.
-hen!' she cried wildly. You'll take
her awayl Trust me, then, and listen
n |
ions now. It's only a miracle of luck
you found him alone. Some men are
1ue at any moment In the motor boat.
Two more have gone to meet them
With a message. They're coming from
Town the lake. There may be just
ime to escape them. You must take
the York boat. You can't pull II
llone against the stream. Keep to
he left channel past the island. then
'un ashore, and you'll be safe in the
crest. wherever you are going.
Hurry, hurry!"
Lee made no audible reply, but his
mind automatically registered Es-
elle's instructions. he bent over the
,irl again, raised her in his arms
o that her face rested against his ,
boulder, and carried her out Of the
tut.
AS he turned at the entrance he ,
aw that PATHWAY had risen to his $
nees again.
Blood was dripping from the wound
4 his scalp. and he was staring about I
i'm in the eager effort to remember. I
Lee crossed the open space at a /
I'm, scrambled down the descent, '
laced the girl in the bottom of the S
oat. and. Selling pair of oars, be- J
an to pull furiously for midstream.
he current caught him and sent him S
hiring along toward the long, fiat, I
'ooded island in the middle Of the 1
Ike that came into view. s
In a minute or two, however, the
NV of the river. diffused over the b
hole of the lake, ceased to afford him
nv appreciable assistance. The heavy 4
ork boat responded only slightly TO n