The Washington times., 1937-10-23

OdSA AL gOEACAA Va 6OSo 4eAAOAA'
The youngster jerked open the
door of the stove and thrust a
shovelful of pine-knots into the
fire. He changed the door shut
rose, and pulling chair nearer
the stove, picked up month-old
paper and began to turn the tat
tered pages. An easy kid to handle,
thought KellS, and closed his eyes
in sleep.
He did not see the others quick
start as he stared at that torn
news sheet, now tightly graSped
between his trembling fingers.
He did not see the strained face
bent over the Soiled page with its
glaring headline and blotchy pic
ture which was unmiStakingly the
picture of the man in the bunk.
Nor did he hear the husky whisper;
"A thousand dollars reward {.
Heavens!"
1t must have been close to day
break, for the light in the room
was very distinct. Kells turned on
his side, and opened his eyes to
squint into something small and
round. 1t was the muzzle of re-
volver.
Behind it he saw the narrowed
eyes of the young proSpeCtor.
Don't novel" snapped the
miner. "Or I shoot!"
Kells' face was a study in mixed
emotions. First surprise, then
fear, then evil rage. A string Of
curses poured from the cracked
lips.
Then suddenly, staring up at
the gun so close to his face, his
eyes narrowed to Sits. It was his
own gun. His lips writhed in
grin.
Beneath the blanket he slid a
caution hand down toward his
knees, and his fingers closed upon
a flat automatic pistol. The slight
movement called forth admonition
from his captor. stop that NOV
ing!"
"Yuh go to hell" snarled Kells,
suddenly rising with the leveled
automatic in one hand, thrusting
the bedclothes aside with the
other.
Came a sharp click, and then a
whole series of them, as the ham,
mer of the miners revolver drove
home on the cartridges in the
chambers. He stared in bewilder-
ment at the weapon in his hand.
KellS ch1ckled "MV GIN" he
said. with sand instead of
powder inside the shells. Did yuh
think yuh could beat Jim Kells?
The young man raised his hands
slowly and the gun fell with a
thud to the floor. His face was
dark with despair. He eyed Kells
DULY.
Now" said Kells, enforcing his
directions with wave Of the gun
fire up this stove, cook breakfast
an be damn quick about it! I'm
leavin' here on the jump. Yuh
got any dogs?"
FUTILE TO LIE
EYES," said the other sullenly
knowing it futile to lie. He turned
to comply with the commands,
when suddenly came interruption.
Family, very family from with
out came the jingle of sled-bellS.
"Goddelmighty!" Kells was on
his feet with staring eyes. Swiftly
he crossed to the window and
scanned the river trail. A 10-dog
team and two men were slowly
nearing the cabin. The Mounties!
He whipped around and menaced
the miner with his gun-a queer
shaped automatic, grotesque but
deadly, because of a fat silencer
fitted to the muzzle.
stand that side of the window,
damn yuh! Yuh got me into this
fix, delayin' me, yuh- I'll get
these two red rats firSt-an' yuh
next"
With this promise, he smashed
the window with his gun-butt and
took careful aim.
The jingling bells sounded louder.
Faster came the team as men and
dogs sighted the cabin. Nearer,
nearer. Kells waited with leveled
gun. Suddenly he squeezed the
trigger and the leading musher
fell in his tracks. The other man
jerked the team to a halt and dived
for cover behind the sled.
give shells left" Kells NUT
tered, peering above the window
sill to sight for his next shot.
SHOOTS TO KILL
Then his eyes dllated with fear,
and he ducked-but too late, for
the window-glaSs shattered into a
thousand pieces and he fell as a
tree falls, heavily.
The man outside had shot with
a rifle, and shot to kill. A terrible
pain scared Kells' breast, numb
ing his senses.
The prosecutor knelt and helped
him to the chair. To KellS, the
world seemed to be dancing around
in circles. He could feel the life
blood hot and sticky running down
his shirt. His breath came and
went in short hard gaspS. He felt
an overwhelming desire to sleep.
Slowly his vision clarified
then realization came. Thoughts
crowded into his brain. From the
chaos of his mind one thought
stood out. It overshadowed all the
rest. He began to speak, breath
leSsly.
kid they got me I'm
done for. But I'll cheat 'em
yet! Yuh want money . to
git outside to Seattle to
yore wife.
you shot me yuh under.