The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-11-04

and ask Old Anne when she'll be
ready for u.s."
by the way" called Farrell as
Garth opened the door, "How's your
man, wound all right? He can talk,
can't he? l want to get his state
ment"
Hes doing finely-thanks to his
army nurse. She saved him from in
fection."
house. Her eyes shadowy with strain
and anxiety, Joan met him at the
door.
1.-The morphine3 Is it working?" he
asked.
He's quiet now, but I don't know
on him. I've given him all / dare"
His emperature-pulse?
awful! l don't see how he lives.
1t looks like the crisis tonight"
II can't hear him breathe. Is sup
per ready? I'll bring them in and
rush 1t through"
yes"
AS he turned to go out he heard a
sob. She stood at the door of the
bedroom.
"To think he should die like this ~
she said.
Guthrie strobe back to her. He took
a limp hand in both of his. Healer
Of Wounds. / love you! Courage ~
And he went out.
At the trade-house door his set face
dropped its lines.
well, Old Anne Is about ready for
US. It's short variety but l hope
therell be enough for your appetites.
I'm sorry, but I'll have to put you up
here. Miss Quarter has my extra
ROOM"
AS Joan Quarter, pale, but mis-
tress of her nerves, met them in the
living room with forced graciousness
and was introduced, the eyes of Raw
don bulged in patent admiration of
the picture she made. y.
Appearing on the minute with the
stew. Old Anne filed the room with
the harsh sibilants of the Cree tongue.
Don't mind Anne" Guthrie laughed,
making conversation as his guests ate.
"She's a bit queer In the head, but
her hearts all right, isn't it, Amer"
Anne turned upon him a chaos of
chatter. From the kitchen, where she
went for the boiled goose, the
staunch old Cree kept up a rattle of
pans, until she hurriedly returned to
resume her conversation with the man
whose ears strained for sounds
through the shut door Of the sick
room.
AS yet no sound from the room.
Thus far-victory!
WELL" said Farrell, comfortably, as
he finished, your cook may be a bit
joyed her supper"
"Glad you have. Sorry it wasn't
better"
And you've got to run to that half
breed?" demurred Rawdon, now quite
at his ease with Joan. 81 don't see
why you can't stay while and talk
to u.s."
"Oh, a nurse always puts duty be-
fore pleasure, Mr. RawdOn," she re-
piled, with stiff smile, as with tilted
head she waited, nerves taut as wires,
for the repetition of sound she had
heard-a sound incomprehensible, ter
rifying, from the closed room.
"Well," he laughed, that's what I
call compliment. But you'll be back
soonT'
Back soon, you whelpl" cursed
Guthrie inwardly. IF you don't finish
that food, I'll choke you with it !" Then
his heart skipped-to shake him with
its hammering, as he heard thud-a
sound of ripping cloth. Raising his
voice, he said sharply: IF you're
through, gentlemen, Wen have smoke
beside the trade-house stove" and
with Farrell, rose from the. table
where Rawdon fingered, hypnotized
by the face Of the girl who sat rigid
with fear.
Guthrie flung open the door, admit
ting the biting air. "Rawdonw The
words snapped through the silent
room like the crack Of a whip. miss
Quarrie has dressing to do for
Savanna" Then behind the shut door,
crash, curses, groan froze him,
desperate, where he stood. The game
was up. He had lost!
"Why, what's that? Somebody in
there?" demanded the younger police
man, rising, head thrust in the direc-
ton Of the sounds. Gray-faced, Joan
Quarter, like one under a spell.
watched the hawk-like features Of
Guthrie harden-saw the gray eyes
grow cold, as the surprised Farrell
turned to his host.
Get Etienne, quick!" Like the ring
of tempered metal the voice of Guthrie
crossed to the Cree in the kitchen
door. She disappeared.
whats this all about, Guthrie
this racket In there?" stormed Raw
don, heatedly.
AS the bewildered Farrell waited for
Guthrie's answer, his eyes widened
as he saw the cropping fingers of the
factor of Elkwan, who leaned against
the gun-rack, find and close on the
butt of his automatic.
Then with crash the door OF the
bedroom was thrown back, and
giant figure, shreds of cloth hanging
from naked shoulders and arms,
swayed, head lowered, in the door
way. Burning with fever, the wild
eyes above the grinning mouth glared
with the ferocity of mad beast at