The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-02-15

otnerS race.
"Old Don has taken the long TRAIL"
he said.
Dead? Dead" Brandon's voice
on the query pinched up bit. And
on the repetition of the word 1t fell
hollowly, with finality which might
have indicated sorrow, dismay or
amaZement
But none of these three was reflected
in his face. In his dark eyes was just
one expression: Relief. Relief! Re-
| lief from suspense, from worry; relief
from dark and haunting fear
"You don't sayl So the old fellows
| gone!" His voice was even now, color
less, assured, as was normal. swell,
it was to be expected, suppose. Were
you with him, Doctor?"
mo; he died alone"
Brandon drew a breath as one will
who has asked an important question
and received a pleasing or reassuring
answer.
Talking couldn't have helped a man
in his condition. He He didn't
visit with anyone, did he?"
A queer hesitancy crept into his
manner on this as though he shrank
| from knowing the reply and Doctor
| Sweet turned to Bird-Eye Blaine in
quiringly. But Bird-Eye did not look
| at the doctor. He was staring at Bran
| don and as that individuals gaze, fol-
| lowing the doctors, encountered his,
the Irishman's lips twitched into bit
| ter smile.
$50 ye're after wonderin' whit pore
ovid Denny said on his deathbed, are
yer" he demanded and with this chal-
lenge stepped down from the stairway
and crossed the floor slowly toward
Brandon. $50 ye're worryin', now,
over whut he moight We said, eh?"
He laughed, dry and mirthless laugh,
! and came to a halt pace from the
man VINO was so powerful in lineup.
"Worrying?" Brandon countered
steadily. you're either drunk or
crazy, Blaine!"
"Mebby !"-with sharp nod. "Meb
be both. But old Denny want. (.
He didn't do talkin', Misther Brandon.
Rid yer moind av that worry. Sure,
nd he didn't talk to soul av what
was on his moind whin he knowed he
lay dyin' No talk! No talk fer
somebody to repate md git twisted up
md lave out things thut shuld We ben
told. He wrote ut I! That's whit
he done, Brandon !"-voice mounting.
He wrote ut! ND he wrote ut fer one
who'll make ut so hot that yell wish
We was sizzlin' in hell"
With a sweeping gesture he thrust
the envelope close to Brandon's face,
so close that the man jerked his head
backward sharply.
HE wrote ut!" Bird-Eye cried tri-
umphantly. IND may tn saints speed
tn day whin Misther Elliott puts to
use tn thing ovid Denny had to tell"
Grimly he poised an instant before
the larger man. Then he thrust the let
ter into his shirt pocket. buttoned his
jacket tightly across it, slapped his
chest decisively. almost boastfully, and
without another word strobe to the
door and let himself out into the
street.
1t was late when Bird-Eye stepped
into the darkness of the tiny office
where Ben Elliott slept at Hoot Owl,
struck a match, lifted it high above his
head and spoke:
eli! Misther Elliott" Ben reused
himself and squinted at the pickering
match. cit up! Rouse up! l got
big news fer vel"
They lighted a lantern and by it's
glow Ben read the inscription on the
letter which Don Stuart had left him
as Bird-Eye hastily and excitedly ex-
planned.
"There's somethin' in ut Donny'd car
ried secrut fer long!" he whispered
hoarsely. "Uts to do with Brandon,
with fightin' fire with fire, or I'm tn
worst guesser in tn woods! !"
"Poor old beggar!" Ben said gently.
"Poorl Him?"
Stuart, l meant Tough to die that
way. And l never got in to see him
againl"
Bird-Eye nodded. "Yes. But mebby
he's done We as great favor as amy
man evil donei The's somethin' in ut
about Sam Faxson md McManus, I'd
bet me last shirtT"
Ben shrugged and turned the en-
velope over. Then he rose, yawned
and slipped 1t into the drawer of the
plain table that did service for an
Office desk.
saint We goln' to read ut, even?"
Bird-Eye demanded in extreme amaze
ment.
"Why no. You saw the directions:
to open 1t when the nut gets too hard
to crack"
Blaine opened his mouth Words
would not come. swell. I'm domned!"
he breathed finally. "Here mebby we've
got tn club thut1l DROVE him out Nv
tn country md ye amt even curious
about utI"
Elliott smiled Maybe it's OILY