The daily independent., 1937-08-10

to avoid passing through the liV-
ing room. left by the back door
and went around by way OF the
terrace to the card room, which
also on the hall leading to the
stairway.
She stepped into the card room
and paused there a moment to
listen to the uproariOuS merry
making of the hunters. The voices
of the Commander, Harp, and
Revelry were lifted in a spirited
rendition of The Old Grey Mare
Came A-tearin Out the Wilder
ness" The others were ripping
out raucous accompaniment on
birch-bark moose calls.
Out of doors. high on the hill
crest road. q horse neighed. The
ShuffIing clatter of ShOd hoofs
echoed on the frosty road. A voice
hOarSo after fourteen hours OF
continuous eXhOrtatiOn. raSped on
the crisp air. ha2ing weary pack
animals down toward River House
But those inside the log lodge
heard nothing but the merry
making of the diners.
Then haSty steps pounded on
the terrace; the outer living-rCom
door was flung open; and the
revelerS, hushed on mid-nOte,
turned startled eyes toward Doc
tor Pool Van Cleve, who stalhcd
into the light.
A moments shocked stiffness
followed the doctors entrance, as
every eye took in his dark. un-
Shaven face. gaunt with suffer-
ing: the tattered right sleeve Of
his hunting jacket hanging empty
and stiff with blood: his bent
forearm in an improviSed Splint.
strapped across his body. The
silence was broken by a dozen eX-
cited questions as the diners
Sprang from their chairs and
pressed about him.
Don't bother. boys" He mo-
toned them back to their seats
with his left hand. 1t was moth
ing but an argument with a griZ-
ely. Jumped me in the trail when
l had only a grouse gun. I nail
ed him, but he raked my arm a
little as he went down." The doc
tors pale lips twisted into pain
ed smile. Go on with your din
ner. After I've washed up a bit.
III Join you"
To the SportSmen whose per-
ceptionS were slightly muddled by
the punch, his words gave no
hint that his injury might be Seri-
Gus. But Denny heard with a
pr!ckle of alarm, and as Van Cleve
started across the living room to-
ward the hall, she stepped back.
intending to meet him on the
stairway and offer assistance.
She was passing from the card
room into the hall when she saw
that Bourne had joined him and
the two were already talking at
the foot Of the steps. Neither
man was aware of her presence
as she paused in the shadows,
waiting for them to finish.
Bourne asked. Pretty bad,
Van?"
The doctor looked down at his
forearm and nodded. Il
think-I'm afraid" His next
words were so low that Denny
heard only the last of the sent
ence-"injured. But 1 may have
a chance if / can reach a doctor
within twelve hours. Otherwise"
He finished with a shake Of the
head. I've already sent my guide
to the radio office to order a plane
from Kitchikan."
"A plane twelve hours,
Bourne repeated thOughtfully. He
swung aside to look at the aneroid
barometer that hung on the wall
at the foot of the stairs. and
studied it a moment, frowing and
drawing in his lower lip. But
when ne faced Van Cleve again,
MS voice was reaSSuring. All
right. Van. Well get you there
IN time. Go on up and I'll send
Honey-jo and the Commander to
help you. I'm going TO run over
to the radio office and see if l
can speed things up a bit regard
ing the plane"
AS van CIeVe mounted Jlle
Steps, Bourne stepped to the door
Of the living room and b2ckoned.
A moment later Harp, his face
sobered to a haWklike alertneSs,
stood beside him.
Harp, the doctors got to get
to a hospital tonight. He's sent
for a plane-but look at the baro-
Bourne tapped
the glass of the instrument. And
still going down"
The foreman nodded gravely.
That means an equinoctial
gale blowing on the coast" Bourne
in low, quick tones. 1T
will keep all planes on the ground
for at least forty-eight hours"
He paused consideringly. Then,
as if he had made Lewiston,