The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-05-17
CHAPTER XIV

lineup. striking across country far
from the road toward Hoor Owl.
She was going to see Ben Elliott and
tell him that she must see him now,
that her heart could have no peace
without him; that he must come to her
and let her stand beside him while he
pried into the past and attempted to
make it give up truth.
At noon, on the edge of swamp,
built small fire and ate the lunch
she carried. Then she went on, sight
ing her mill far away from the top
of the next ridge.
Martin was alone in the Office when
she entered and started up so sharply
was startled.
''Pm sorryr' she exclaimed at bit
mystitied. did I brighten you?"
"No. Not frightened. My
thoughts were far from here"
SIS Ben about?"
Haven't seen him since dinner.
Don't know where he went"
Tim LETTERS, just down from camp,
entered then.
Where's Ben at?" he asked Martin.
81 don't know. Miss McManus. here.
was just asking"
Martin moved to the old table Ben
used for desk.
Sometimes he leaves q note for ME
when he's going away" He bent over
the table, looking at the litter of pa
pers on it. mo, he left no word. Z.
Hum. What's this?"
He picked up a slip of paper. read
the single line inscribed on it and
looked at Dawn.
II didn't mean to pry. Prob
ably he's gone to meet you, though.
|. This is note from you"
~ note! Why, :" browning,
she took the paper and read:
"Meet us at Antler Lodge this after
noon.-Dawn."
"Why!" she cried. 81 didn't /. But
l must have Hooking. from one to
the other. "That's my writing"
"Oh" She let the paper flutter to
the floor.
81 wrote that! I wrote that years
ago!" she cried, struggling to speak
distinctly. II wrote that note for Mr..
Brandon. Years ago. How
did it get here? Who is calling Ben
to the lodge?"
whats this?" Tim LETTERS asked
roughly. Brandon? Calm Ben
off alone?'
Don't you see?" Martin cried and
his voice was thick. ''Dawn wrote it,
all right. But he's sent it to Ben. i.
It's decoy! Tim, the lads on his
way to the lodge alone and Brandon's
planned it,"
No need for more words, then! On
went Martins jacket. From a corner
he snatched snowshoes and a pair for
Tim.
"We'n CO." he said to Dawn. "You
tell Butler"
"But I'm going, tool" the girl cried
sharply. "I'm going. Oh hurry, Tim
We may be too late, now!"
They crossed the railroad tracks at
run. put on their snowshoes and with
LETTERS breaking trail, entered the TIM
Der. Another had gone that way to-
day, a man whose heart burned and
sang. Dawn had sent for him; Dawn
wanted him!
Entering the office while Martin was
in the mill his eyes had encountered
Dawn's note. No thought of how It
came to be there presented itself. The
qu&k conclusion at which he arrived
was that Dawn and others had gone
to Antler Lodge; that was where the
shot had been fired which sent Sam
Faxson TO his death. Perhaps Able
had taken Dawn there. Hastily, be
took his snowshoes and departed.
The distance was good five miles.
however, and part of the going was in
soft footing. So it was nearly two hours
after his start that he came in sight
of the building on the high bank of
the Mad Woman.
AS he went down the slope he saw
snowshoe tracks outside the place.
"Hello!" he cried, mounting a drift
and stopping. "Hello, in there!"
No answer. He twisted his feet
hastily out of their straps, wondering
bit For once his alertness was
gone, for once he was wholly off guard.
"Dawn!" he called again as he
showed open the door. "Hello, who's
here"
He had crossed the threshold, peer
ing into the gloom, a sudden and cold
misgiving sweeping him. turn back;
withdrawn" small voice warned but
before he could gather himself a blow
struck him and he went down under a
heavy. living weight.
But as Elliott went down. with his
assailant on top. he drew his knees up
ward, bowed his back and with rrick
Of rough-and-tumble fighting used the
very impact which had floored him to
toss the man on beyond.
He heard him curse, saw the other
turn as he pitched across the floor and
scramble to his feet.
"Brandon!" he cried hoarsely as q
savage joy swept him.
At last he was face to face with the
man who. had struck so many times
from the darkness and from behindl
Brandon did not speak. He rushed
with head lowered. Great arms
wrapped Ben's body. head drove into
the pit of his stomach. driving the
breath from his body.
He fell to the floor fighting. but his
blows were weak, ineffective. A hand