The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-09-08

SeohtSN AAS 800 49,.
this way before and on each occasion
the beasts had set up a tremendous
din long before he was this near.
He closed one eye striving by thar
gesture of concentration to still his
whirling brain. Ii Wolf were
home. his dogs would be home; If
dogs were there. they should be rails
ing the dead by now.
But probably the occupant of that
cabin was not Wolf Richards at all
Someone else had stopped there to
night, as his cruiser had been there
last night. Relief. with that Thought,
and on the heels of relief. dismay
again. Anyone there. anyone who
knew aim, anyone observing enough
to remember and to describe him
would present fatal hazard.
He started cautiously forward. won
dering If the dogs might not be there
after all, ready to begin their devilish
barking.
The soft snow covered all sounds of
his progress. He could see snowshoes
standing against the log wall: single
pair. he thought; If so. only one must
be encountered. He edged along the
building to the window, peering
through the half-frosted panes.
His heart stopped as he say her ly-
ing there on the cot, and theI raced
wildly on again. Ellen Richards. the
girl he had desired and, finding her
impossible to possess the girl whose
property he had attempted to acquire
through the scheming and treachery
which had brought him to the status
of fugitive. Paul Gorbel sank
to his knees, gloating.
He wanted revenge in this moment !
Wanted to make her suffer for the
suffering which his fevered mind
traced back to her now. He'd break
her pride, her heart, her life, as his
pride and heart and life had been
shattered He had been so honest in
desiring her at first; he had been so
driven by his impulse to have and hold
him into this blind alley. And
as he reasoned, his want of her became
stronger than his aching for venge-
ance. He wanted her wanted
her.
Why not, then? Why shouldn't he
take her, the last thing remaining of
the life that was behind him? Why
couldn't he take her, driving or drag.
ging her with him into this new phase
of existence which lay yonder :.
somewhere.
But after he had entered, after he
had revealed himself to her, after he
had made his first declaration, doubts
began to riot. If he should fail In
this If he should not be able to
drive or drag her. :.
And that was why his voice weak.
ened, his fingers fumbled at his chin.
why his eyes roved restlessly as he
told the girl he had come for her and
she only stood there, apparently un-
afraid.
Apparently unafraid, yes, but her
courage was solely matter of appear
ance. Beneath that exterior she was
aquiver with apprehension.
But she could not show that. Her
wits, alone, stood between her and
danger. She needed her resources, un-
hampered by panic, needed her
strength. needed time.
She stood a moment cycling him.
mind cropping for possible strategies
that could be used IN such an emer-
gency.
"For me, Paul?"-gently now, want
ing to soothe and humor him until she
could determine what it might be that
off poise "And how did you know
was here?'
''Eh? Know. Knowi How did
L? :" He looked up and some of
the old craft came into his face for
the moment :" knew with nod
Never mind howl" He gave q
strained laugh. 81 knew. :"
"But it's so late. You you
look cold; you must be tired. Have
you eaten?"
"Eaten?" He shook his head mo,
not since not since before :.
no, / haven't eaten.
SWELL. I'll get you something now.
then"
Time! She needed timel
wouldn't you like bacon" she
asked. Wouldn't bacon"
Trying to put me off. eh"-trucu.
lently. "Don't want to talk about itf
That how you feel" He unbuttoned
his coat. swell, you'd better.
You'd better talk it over You're re-
sponsible for it all If 1t hadn't We
been for you wouldn't have
wouldn't have done IL. wouldn't be
running away now; he wouldn't be ly.
ing there i. . lying back there
wouldn't we shot him If 1t hadn't
been for"
"Shot him. Paul?" Her interruption
was shrill. "Shot who? Who did you
shoot?" She stood against the table.
one hand at her cheek. "Who did you
shoot. Paul?" she cried.
He laughed
"Guess!" he said. Guess. Only
notwithstanding forward intently.
1T looks as If | did. but didn't
They'll think | shot him; they'll find
him there in my office and I'll be gone.
but didn't shoot him and the snow
covers trails and they won't know.
Let them think I'll be gone
with yOu out yonder, somewhere
to begin again.
IF 1t hadn't been for you and thar
bounding Belknap. The kidIl
think shot him. D-n him he'll
know. like he knows everything else I"
He rose. trembling. breath rafting In
his throat.
Hell know, like he knows every
thing else! He knew | showed him