The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1937-07-22

OF the lake, lying there with their
nostrils barely above water. The
RATS, in fact, were only for women
and weaker men.
Sergeant Terry finished taking
his notes and slapped shut his mem
orandum book.
I've already sent out the other
planes to Fourcross and Vanderhoof
to get help" he said crisply. 81
had intended to shoot Jimmy Moon
into Rupert alone. But I'd better
go with him and take that man s
statement on the way" He started
to follow. Jimmy was in the cock
pit, with the motor idling. Two
men stood on the pontoons, showing
a cot through the cabin door, while
two others waited on shore with the
whining shade in their arms.
Jeanne went to the injured man
and laid a hand on his shoulder.
Don't be sore at me-" he begged.
81 never planned it; honest to God,
I didn't"
'I'm not sore at you," the girl
said slowly. "I-guess you couldn't
help yourself. You've never been
able to help yourself, Lew"
Her hand fingered for moment,
then was withdrawn. Pale with
emotion, Jeanne made one more
plea to Jack to care for his hurts.
Then she turned and went slowly
back toward town and her store !;
the groceries on its shelves might
be badly needed in the days to
come. Sergeant Terry looked after
her.
"She must have thought a lot of
that fellow at some time or an
other" the mounted policeman said.
'She must have" Hammond an
Swered, in a queer voice. "To be
able to have forgiven him like
that"
There had been something hum
bly, sublime about it. Jack found
himself wondering what Kay would
have done under such circum-
stances, the vilification she would
have heaped on this man, the ques-
tons as to what would become of
her. All in a night, Jack Ham,
mond had gained perspective. It
was as though his subconscious
brain had been gathering evidence
for months, that it might await the
proper moment to lay a convincing
case before his conscious mental
ity. Now it had been done, and all
that loft he h., -
his shame for himself. Suddenly,
however, he put his thoughts aside.
Lew shade was carried aboard.
A canoe awaited the Sergeant to
ferry him the short distance to
the airplane. He was swapping final
instructions.
"I'm going to leave you in
charge" he said. "Hear that, you
men? Hammond here is in COM
mand of fire-fghting until I get
back. And Jeanne Towers better be
responsible for the women"
eyes, sir"
Garry the news into town. See
that everybody knows it."
They hurried to obey. The Ser
geant went on:
you'd better start a back fire
as soon as possible"
''Yes, in that marsh grass to the
west. That's the danger point
embers will be dropping over there
pretty soon. If that grass goes, the
town goes"
"The towns going, anyway-but
we might as well take the long
chance to save it."
"I'll get at it."
Better send what canoes are
available around to the inlet and
pick up Around the World Annie and
her gang"
II will"
Although" Terry added, from
the way the winds taking the blaze,
maybe they'll get by. But we'd
better not risk it. Get 'em all on
the lake, where we know they'll be
safe"
eyes, SIR
"And if Bruce Kenning shows up
anywhere, take charge of him.
That's all-I'l be back as soon as
1 can make it."
Hammond raised a hand in half
salute. Jimmy Moon slowly turned
his plane, TAXED short distance,
headed the ship into the wind and
took off, a great, carmine bird in
the glow of the flames.
Hammond went on, hurrying for
Jeanne's store, to find her there,
loading what food her shelves pos
sessed into the arms of waiting min
ers. He delivered Terry's orders.
Then:
Don't get excited and leave
your money to burn up in the store.
She managed to smile.
"Oh, I've got it." Then again
she looked concernedly at his
bruised features and matted hair,
indicating cut on the right side
of his head. Please" she begged,
"I've some white cloth here I could
use for bandages."
Thanks. That salve I've got
over in the cabin is best. Bandages
are bad stuff when there's a fire
around"
RIO BE CONTINUEDl
Speed of Comets