Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-10-24

Then he drew something white from
his shirt and waved it.
Hes shaking like q bush in the
wind" commented Malone. Tell
him to come in Noise. He's safe"
The canoe moved in to the beach.
We'll, here's where she tries to
alibi herself out of it." His freckled
face sour with disgust Red handed
Finlay a skin wrapper containing a
letter. What nerve that little de-
coy duck packs in that swell shape
of hers! She's as tough as raw-hide
but who'd guess it with that facet"
Finlay ignored his friends char
acterization of Lise Demarais. He
began to read:
AFTER what has happened you
have good reason never to trust me
again. The very thought drives me
frantic. But l had to write you.
swear l did not know they had fol-
lowed me. If l had, could have
acted that way before those breeds?
Could l have lost my head-done
what did? Do you think me as
cheap as that? But I'm not sorry.
I'm terribly glad. Believe it or not,
l was honest. l was carried far
out to sea. I've never met a man
like you, Garry Finlay!
THAT night Labelle rushed in and
called Jules from the table. When
he returned, I knew by his face
something awful had happened.
You met Finlay this afternoon,
damn you'll he roared. Now three
men are dead and another hurt! But
this fake surveyor paid for it &c
night Then he struck me in the
face!
ut was all so sudden-so CHASTITY.
He wouldn't tell us what had hap
pened. I didn't know whether you
were alive or dead. He accused me
of trying to betray him. When l
asked him what there was to betray
he started towards me and I ran to
my room to get my pistol. He'll
never strike me again-never!
"Oh, beg you to believe me!
knew nothing-nothing about those
men! They saw my canoe leave for
the swimming beach and followed
They never had done it before.
was sick not knowing what I had
done to you. And l was so terribly
alone-so helpless! l didn': dare
trust Corinne. She talks too much.
Finally l found Louis Mikisis, my
messenger, and he listened outside
Tete-Blanche's cabin and learned
i that you had been left to die in a
swamp. If I had known where you
were, Garry Finlay, I would have
found you, that night. But I could
only suffer and pray.
I'm the morning I saw Tete-
Blanche and Tetu returning in a
canoe to the post. Jules met them
on the shore and acted like wild
man. Later Louis told me that you
had escaped. l went to my room
and cried. You were alive-alive
and free!
Last night Jules was in the trade
room with Tete-Blanche, Tetu and
Labelle. I listened at the open WIN
dow. They are going to set guard
at the outlet of the lake, the Quiet
Water. They'll try to ambush you.
"Your lives depend on your leav-
ing at once!
Il implore you, Garry Finlay,
trust me and send an answer by
Louis. If you wish to reach me, lat
er, leave note under the big rock
on the bathing beach. Louis will get
it. Please, oh, please believe that l
was honest that day, that THAT
you're my only hope.
elise"
Finlay's brown hands were I'M
steady as he finished the letter. AS
wind driven surf pounds a beach,
wave on wave of emotion had beaten
through him as he read. He read
the letter again while the waiting
Malone and Blaise scowled.
Finlay handed the letter to the
disturbed Malone. 1--WE were wrong,
Red This letter is honest and ex-
plains the whole thing. 1t couldn't
have been faxed and, besides, they
know it wouldn't work the second
time. There's news here that'll in
terest you. When you read it, you'll
agree that Isadore couldn't have had
a hand in this. It's too damned
straight"
Malone slowly wagged his head as
he took the letter. "What the wom-
en- will do to good mani" he
sighed. But, gradually, as he read,
the sneer on his incredulous face
smoothed out.
"Well, I'll be shot at sunrise if I
don't think the kid is on the level"
exploded Malone, returning the let
ter to Garry. 1--WE handed her
some pretty raw compliments, Gar
ry, but I'm goin' to take them all
back right here and now. Isadore'd
never play it this way if he was be-
hind this. That girl can sure write
a letter, and boy! is she weak on
Sergeant Garrett Finlay? Some
medicine man, chief"
The blood drifted up over Fin
lays brown neck and cheeks as he
met Malone's grin. Red, we're 60
ing to take care of her!" he said
quietly.
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