The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-01-02
Chapter q
SoNYA'S WELCOME

Chapter y
soNYA's WELCOME
THE next morning Curt and
= Smash started north once more
In the plane.
On that long trip up across the
ATTITUDES. Baldwin's suggestion In
the car the night before haunted
him like q nightmare. He fought
against It but stray thoughts kept
getting past his guard.
There was sonya's passionate de-
termination to 60 into the Lilluars.
Her secrecy. Her mention. once. Of
= weekend trip to juneau. LeNoir's
order that she must not be harmed.
The woman's description Of the tall
Russian who'd been 80 frequent a
caller at the Volkov homo. -.
In the hush Of twilight they
sailed over q spearhead range and
saw the Iskitimwah lake nesting in
its mountain cradle. They cut of
ignition. made long fourteen.mile
glide, and drifted down upon the
water.
Curtis canoe was there near the
cabin. where he had left It. He
hoated the craft, shook hands with
Smash. gave him final instructions.
and set out down the Iskitimwah.
It was = little before midnight
when he threaded tho river delta
and pointed his canoe out across
the lake toward camp. After three
days of freedom from ambushes
and ramhorn bows. he was op.
pressed BY the feeling Of danger
closing around him again. With
Siam-Klale's main band whipping
south and LeNoir probably suspect.
Ing who Paul and he really were,
something drastic was bound to
happen. and quickly too.
The island doomed up ahead,
dark. and silent Everything seemed
peaceful there. Presently no dis.
tinguished the outlines Of the two
tents. Thank God. nothing had gone
very wrong while he'd been away!
From the upper tip Of the island
. hawk.owls cluck challenged him,
80 sharp and peremptory that he
had to smile. Trust Paul 70 spot any
canoe approaching that island!
He answered back. landed at the
lower end. beached his canoe and
hurried up to camp. Beside the
boulder fort" Francois and Jocku
were rolled up in their elder pokes,
sleeping soundly while Paul stood
guard. On q spruce mattress under
his tent dy Ralph was tossing rest
lessly in q dream. The Indian, Tenn.
Og, was not around.
Beyond the tents Sonya was Sit
ting on canoe near the water edge.
looking out toward the willow
island.
"Sonya-"
She sprang up from the canoe and
whirled around.
"Oh-oo! Curt! It's you'll I wasn't
expecting-Curt, where have you
been all these days? Why aid you
leave rs that night?.
i've been prospecting 1 creek
that old John told mo about" he
lied. Everything went al right
here. didn't IT."
Yes. but You were gone % long
ana Paul wouldn't ten mo . thing,
and III worried about you"
IN THE shostly light her face was
: white and ethereal q she con.
fronted him. and her bosom still
was heaving from the start he'd
given her. She appeared % afraid
and alone that III The stern things
he meant 70 tell her dropped away,
IS once before IN The canoe q Rus.
sian Lake.
II worried about Jon too, dear.
Arc you glad I'm backf'
lawfully gladl Paul d depend.
able. but he's-he's not you"
Her hnsers tightened upon his n
though asking him not 20 10 avay
again. lmpulsivsly Curt swept her
into his arms.
"sonya"-his hand caressed her
hair. he Was dittingly conscious az
that small automatic beneath her
blouse - he held her close to him
-"you seemed % slad-when you
saw me. -. Can't | hope you do care
- little BIT. sweetheaftf~
sonya did not look up Or answer
his question. For q tew moment
she iay in his arms. not resi,tinr.
with the velvety softuess q ~
cheek against his own.
"Sonya. listen" he urged. NOT
knowing how g interpret her -.
sivsness. I ffox IT, wrong 70 force
myself on yod when You feel rnder
obligations. but ! cant 81 On not
knowing-s
She stopped him. Don't say hat
dear: you'd never take adyantag.
pf eOliEetioas'" sat go = - 81