The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-05-06

kiidl WHY Sic StdlfuS lOI 81
a4uch-" She halted suddenly and
attentively turned her head upward.
whats THAR"
Sounds like a motor boat. II
couldn't be-"
Then a faint shout came from
far away. 1t was picked up by a
dozen voices. The fishermen, down
at the inlet. cried out-faintly, Jack
caught the words:
"Airplanel Airplane coming
There's an airplane!"
Doors were banging as Jeanne
and Hammond ran from the store
Everyone was running. for that
matter. or standing. hands over
eyes. Far down the valley. where
Lake Sapphire merged with the sky,
great, wide-winged bird was
limned against the sunset. moving
swiftly into sharper delineation.
II circled the town and Travelled
far down the lake :, dropping lower,
lower. At last, with its trailing
edge-faps cutting down its speed.
it slipped still nearer the lake. its
engine snarled anew. and cut off
again. Spray scattered like plumes
of jetting steam from its pontoons;
swishing and splashing. it skipped
the water in great leaps, settled
again, ploughed onward. then, with
the engine roaring anew, began to
taxi toward shore.
Men ran into the marshy shall
lows to greet it. paving wildly
about, then wading frantically to
get out of its way. The pilot rose
in his cockpit. to motion furiously,
warning excited watchers against
the danger of the propeller. Jack
Hammond gave an exultant shout.
He leaped from the side of Jeanne
Towers and splashed into the water
without even feeling it.
Hello. Timmy!" he yelled. "You
made it. Timmy"
The man in the cockpit, veering
/ from side to side as he watched the
water depths about him, raised a
hand in answer. then swiftly re-
turned to his task.
| Now Jack could see the cabin
windows. Two persons were inside
Hammond saw that Kay was one
of them. He cupped his hands to
his mouth and shouted at the height
Of his lungs. He jumped up md
down in the water until he was
dripping. He waved his arms. He
| ierked off his hat and threw it at
the cabin door-at last it opened.
Kay Joyce, trim in polo shirt,
faWn-colored breeches, riding boots
and red nails of an equal luster,
leaned out.
Jack" she called. Don't splash
around like that. How in the world
will you ever carry mother and me
ashore2 Well be simply dripping
you old silly!''
1t was Bruce Kenning, however,
who finally carried Kay and her
mother ashore. Hammond, all of a
sudden, had realized that he was a
sodden mess. Then, with the land
ing of the party, everything be-
came confused. gold seekers crowd
ed about, placer miners waded out
to catch. the rope which Jimmy
Moon had tossed to them, that they
might knot it to pontoon and an
Choir the ship Now Hammond was
back in his own cabin. talking ex-
citedly as he changed his clothes.
Rays crazy about the cottage.
| he volunteered.
Mckenzie Joe, squatted on the
doorstep, turned his beaverlike
head.
II figured she would be. for
awhile"
What do you mean awhile7"
They're city people" said Nc
Kenzie Joe quietly.
Hammond laughed. frightened his
belt, stood immobile a moment,
then clawed about him in the half
dark room for necktie.
Don't you worry about that. Kay
can take it. So can her mother.
They like the outdoors"
Mckenzie made no direct reply.
He only eyed his partner.
Kind of dressing up, aren't
your"
WELL" said Jack with a grin.
You know--their first night here,
We're all going to the Slumgullion
to eat. Come along?"
Nope" Joe said it half brusque-
| ly.
Little abrupt, aren't you. Joe?"
he said at last.
mot particularly.
A queer feeling of resentment shot
through Hammond.
Joe" he said finally, whats
been eating on your"
"Nothin' but mosquitoes, I reck.
on
Lets not joke" the younger mar
said suddenly. You've been diff
ferent ever since we came back
here"
ME different? I amt noticed it
Jack"
you haven't seemed yourself
Moody-thinking about something
all the time. Grouchy, like yol