The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-07-29

In Sergeant Terry. ''He'n be all
right"
Jeanne Towers shook her head m
though she did not believe him.
Hammond forced laugh.
I'm all right, Jeanne. I'd take
twice this to do what l did to
Kenning. Stop worrying about me-"
Then, as tersely as possible, he
obeyed Terry's command for the
entire story of his fight. There
was no time to be wasted In long
descriptions or wordy theories. The
fire was coming closer; from be-
hind them the twisted streets of the
little town we're loud with bowling
huskies, the cries of women and
the commands of men; the exodus
toward the life RATS already was
beginning. There would not be room
on them for everyone-many must
take their chances in the shadows
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.
eve already sent out the other
planes to Fourcross and Vanderhoof
to get help" he said crisply. Il
had intended to shoot Jimmy Moon
into Rupert alone. But I'd better
go with him and take that mans
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
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 hand on his shoulder.
Don't be sore at me" he begged.
"I 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then was withdrawn.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 te
come. Sergeant Terry looked after
/ her.
"She must have thought lot O
that fellow at some time or an
| other" the mounted policeman said
"She must have" Hammond an
swered, in a queer voice. TO b
able to have forgiven him iik'
that"
| There had been something hum
bly, sublime about it. Jack fount
himself wondering what Kay woult
have done under such circum
stances, the vilifcation she wouls
have heaped on this man, the ques
tons as to what would become O
her. All in a night, Jack Ham
mond had gained perspective.
was as though his subconsciou
brain had been gathering evidenc
for months, that it might await tn
proper moment to lay convincing
case before his conscious mental
| ity. Now it had been done, and al
that was left was the hurt OF it an
his shame for himself. Suddenly
however, he put his thoughts aside
Lew shade was carried aboard
A canoe awaited the Sergeant t
ferry him the short distance 7
the airplane. He was swapping fina
instructions.
I'm going to leave you |
charge" he said. Hear that, 20
men? Hammond here is in com
mand OF fire-fighting until sc
back. And Jeanne Towers better b
! responsible for the women"
Eyes, sir"
"Carry the news into town. Sc
that everybody knows it,"
They hurried to obey. The Sci
geant went on:
You'd better start "A back fiji
as soon as possible.
Eyes, in that marsh grass to tn
west. That's the danger point
embers will be dropping over ther
| pretty soon. II that grass goes, til
: town goes"
, 1.-THE towns going, anyway-b,
we might as well take the Ion
, chance to save It,"
J "I'll get at it."
"Better send what canoes al
: available around to the inlet ar
pick up Around the World Annie ar
7 her gang"
: II will"
4 Although" Terry added, .frol
the way the wind S taking the blaz
: maybe they'll get by. But we
e better not risk it. Get 'em all {
the lake, where we know they'll
e safe.
Eyes, sir"
q ''And il Bruce Kenning shows |
; anywhere, take charge OF hir
: That's all-I'll be back as soon
can make it,"
0 Hammond raised hand in hs
salute. Jimmy Moon slowly turn.