The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-12-20

once. He didn't mean to listen, but
he couldn't help It"
How much else did Paul hear3
Her tones were quick. frightened
''When was this?"
1.-TWO evenings ago. He didnY
hear anything else"
sonya breathed easier. Curt real
lied, too late, that he had made 4
mistake. There was something else
and she was afraid for him to know
It II he had pretended he knew. hQ
could probably have got It out Of her.
She admitted reluctantly: Eyes,
you're right: we're not related. m
tell you why we made this-this az
rangement Il I'd been alone.
couldn't have come in here at all
wouldn't even have got AZ far a.
Russian Lake. Ralph's q good friend.
I knew I could trust Ralph implicit
u. He's . gentleman through and
through. Under the circumstances
our arrangement was sntirel, sensi-
BILE. It was the only recourse had
But al that told him nothing about
her mission In that country. Curt
swung the talk back:
"Sonya, I'm not playing cards
with you, or trying t. NEEDLE IN
your business, or looking for any id.
vantage to myself. You may be jus
tilted in going on north. In that case
III give you all the help In my pow
e. But I've got to know what you're
doing" He paused q moment, then
added point-blank. And you've got
70 tell me-"
sonya refused fatly. Tim sorry.
CURT can't do It."
There was no use to argue. He
was irritated by her stubborn IL
lsnce and jealous that Ralph should
share her confidence while he was
barred out.
II suppose you're going to wash
your hands of us now" she said.
"You intend to 60 on above the
pass?" he demanded. And when
she nodded: "You're fumbling dy.
Mantle. II you only knew It"
RI do know 1t. But there's chance
that We can get on friendly terms
with the Klosohees."
"A mighty slim chance. trcm what
old John tells me. You can't 90 on
without Paul and me"
I'VE WILL
She said It quietly. but Curt knew
she meant 1t. Her purDosivenesS
Was almost grim. Short Of tying
her ND hand and foot and taking her
back to Russian Lake he could not
stop her.
IF we can make friends with tho
Klosohees." she said presently,
there wouldn't be any danger at all.
That's the cruz Of the whole matter.
You've had q good deal Of experience
with Indians. Curt: l believe you
could manage it." She leaned "a.
wards him. . plea crept into her
voice n know don't deserve help.
after refusing to take you into my
confidence: but won't you. anyway.
Curt?"
a 8 he saw the situation. he was
"A forced to tako his choice OF help
ing her or letting her 60 into that
country without protection. By
themselves she and Ralph simply
did not stand q chance. That great
blue cleft up river would prove q
one.way portal into Klosohee terri
tory.
Perhaps he could work himself
into the good graces Of the Kloso-
hees. Il SO. the whole danger would
blow over, a. she had said. At any
rata Paul and he would be guarding
her.
They could 60 cautiously. keep
their eyes open and bring her back
to safety II trouble started popping.
He did not like the prospect She
would b exposed to Danger. how.
ever careful he and Paul might b.
ana he would be sadly handicapped
on the Karakhan hunt But the q.
tarnative was to let her 90 through
that pass unprotected. defenselsss:
and that was something he could not
do.
eonye Was watching him. hanging
upon his decision. Curt saw her
fingers trembling - she waited. He
thought It flne OF her that In those
moments she made not the slightest
attempt to sway him b. her charm
or her powers a. . girl.
sI'l make Z bargain with you,
sonya," he said finally. TITS this:
m take you In there and do every.
thing can with those Klosohsss,
but Il I sec that : friendly contact
isn't possible you're to To- Paul and
mo bring you back out, and you1l
| 70 on south to Russian Lake VIII
Jon agrse to that?"
i 0onya claspod his hand sCurt,
that's awfully splendid Of youls
u "You promise. then9 You'll turn
hack when give the word. and you
i promise you'll 60 straight aopth -
Russian Lake3"
Il Yes, ! promise
(ooyyri1At. less. WaIsow ,. JDeaugslD
cvrth Marty $500. hoaooprooae