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Show THE PAGE TWO , tliere'f a Sure. It lias of Yjr iff of fxe Romance Great JCgAes nan .w. uexzer W. M.TJ. SERVICE Tr b Copcjriqht Ms French-Canadia- S71W JH Norman, lingering In the corridor, the sort wet pack In his pocket "Is It worth a god deal?" Buker asked. The stranger coughed. "No," tie said, "It Is worth a great deal to me, but to nobody else. I'd be willing to pay a good reward for It Of course. It may still be In the yacht. But I awear I had It In my hand when I tumbled Into that skiff." Norman walked In culmly. Sutton dozed In the captain's chair. Sue, looking sleepy, lifted her eyes to Norman's face and without recognition lowered them again. Conversation stopped automatically. Mr. Delong was th first one to n er French-Canadia- - I CHAPTER VII 9 The Oilskin Packet Captain Stocking scuffed op the walk. Norman stepped aside to let him pass. The keeper 'did not want to pass. He wanted to talk. "Where yon been?" be asked. "Walking." "Lookle here, Erickson I" Captain Stocking knocked out his pipe, the better to make plain bis words. "I ain't forgot what you said In the signal house. I ain't likely to forget And I expects you to remember what I told you I There's two or three kinds of things to scare folks. And when you've lived as long as I have ashore and afloat, you'll find there's lots o' things ain't to be explained. And the Kitty K. Is one of them, Erickson. She ain't never been explained. Some night you'll see her, mark me. Ain't a seaman on this point ain't seen ber. Ask Parish, down at the coast guard. He made out the skipper one night . . . he's got a long whisker and sits on the fluke of an old schooner, a chantey. . . ." "Hats and dogfish 1" "Aye, and ye can rats me to the content of ye I I've seen things, lad. that'd put Icicles on your nose If ye bad wits enough to understand 'em. And I know when they'a a spell on a place or a man or a vessel. And I've no mind to go runnln' down a haunt or mlxln my fingers in the devil's business. But there's one thing surel"' "What?" asked Norman. "Listen, lad." The keeper's voice was grave. "I never run from a bit of a blow In my life, so belp me! I never run from water nor wind nor dogs, and I never stayed ashore when they was askln for volunteers to go out to a distress! Parish needed hands tonight Yon couldn't Jump In the boat Lor knows why. Yon can make a funny moutb about tbe KIty K., If It's no more sense than you got But remember, I will write my reportCaptain Parish will have a story, too, whlcb ain't goin' to be pretty. And you an assistant keeper! Go In the bouse. Get a bit of rest Be set to relieve me." "I'm set now," Norman growled. He could feel no sting from the keeper's rebuke. Nothing old Stocking said mattered much. He had called himself Just aa many kinds of fool as He bad not been Stocking could. afraid to go In tbe boat The devilish lake prevated It But be had been a coward earlier. Yes, about that dog) Out there In the rain be bad deWhat more could nounced himself. anyone else say? He walked gloomily Into the house. Ed Baker stood again In the parlor, explaining to Sue that he had stopped on bis way off beach patrol. "And I watched close," he told Delong, "but I didn't see a sign of your package. I told my relief io keep his eye reeled. Not much cbunce though, hoi-leri- kind, looks flnger-mar- k oil. And Itr spenk. "Hello, young fellow," he said. His "nello," Norman answered. face relaxed. It wns plensnnt to have one mnn on the coast spenk to hlra without scorn. Delong smiled at him, and then, one at a time, he examined the faces of the others, as If setting himself right about them. "You live here at the light?" be asked Sutton. "No. I don't." The fisherman looked op In surprise, trying to see what meaning there wns In the question. He perceived It and started borne. Baker went out with Sutton. Sue spoke. "Your bed Is ready, Mr. Delong," she explained, "through that door, on the assistant keeper's side." She did not look nt Norman. "Or sit up here If you wish. This oil will last ail night There's an extra blanket right behind yon." Thanks. Til read something." Delong picked np the government report on lighthouses and, turning his back to the lamp, began to read Norman sat down wearily In Captain Stocking's big rocker and closed bis eyes. Captain Stocking strode through the outer door In five minutes. "Turning In," he said shortly to Norman. Then he sow Delong. "Oh. mister, there's a bed fixed up for you." "I'd rather sit up. Captain." "Be your own skipper," Stocking agreed. "A good night to ye." Norman limped out to do his InspecDown on the plank walk he tion. stopped and felt the packet that was lying like a lump against him. The night's terrible business seemed an old tale except for this. What would he do with It? Again he considered possibilities. He might tell the truth. He put that thought away at once, as an ordeal which would only stir up more trouble. He could drop the bundle In the hall. And ceed then answer bis own share In the hubbub of questions. Only one thing was certain. He didn't want anyone to catch him wllb it In bis pocket. Dp the beach, perhaps two hundred paces, his left foot lifted, head down, arms at his tides, In the attitude of a man running, but carved out in motionless relief against the black surface of the water, Norman saw Ed Baker. He heard Baker'a feet slap tbe sand as be ran past He did not stop. Norman puzzled, and then, realizing where Baker was going, laughed aloud. Baker would find a cold surprise, digging under that log for the packet He went Into the bouse. The stranger was not reading. He tt by the brass parlor lamp, sucking thoughtfully at an unllghted pipe. "Here's a thing I found up the beach. Might this be yours?" Norman removed tbe packet from bis uniform coat This what you were want-big?be repeated. The man made no answer at first His eyes were glued to tbe bundle. It was a plain, businesslike envelope of oilskin, fastened with red twine and one rubber band, with tbe Initials "J. D." "Well, I'll be hanged I" be said abruptly. "Wbere'd you get It?" "Guess It washed arhore," Norman answered, "up the beach." The other took It He examined tbe red strings carefully and asked tbe assistant keeper for a knife. Upon the parlor table, after he had cut the red strings, he poured out a stream of conrse, dry, beacb sand. "Sand," be murmured. He opened the envelope slowly. More sand spilled out He frowned when he saw It The papers were He Foggy but the sand was dry. picked them up carefully, each by a corner, and started to spread them upon the polished surface of the oak table. One of them be examined closeNear its uply. It bad lain on top. per edge there was the round, smudgy mark of a finger or thumb. He turned swiftly. "You don't look like a liar," he warned Norman. "I should know one when I see blm. That's part of my Job, telling liars from honest men. You didn't find this 'Just up the beach.' Besides, It's been opened. " Friday, January 23, NEPHI. UTAH S, the string was la a bard knot. I didn't have It tie that way. I bad bow knot Somebody undid It, and tied It Tbla bundle waa burled op again. after It rolled ashore Why?" "I don't know," Normuo muttered. "You admit that It was?" Del on s swung bis big body about to bta chair and tipped the lamp shade so that the light (til on Norman's face. This Is funny business." be said. Would the same person bide a thing one minute, and the next dig It up and bring It to Its owner?" The same person didn't." "Oil." said Delong. He smiled. That's what 1 thought, Erickson. Who burled It?" "It was dark. . . "Who burled "I " you, sir. It was too dark to I was walking, sir, trying to see. cool off , . ." Norman paused. He felt Ik'lung's eyes burning Into his nun. They were hard but ml unkindly. He liked this mun. "I snw a fellow sloop down and lurj soaieililim." he confessed. "1 bid till . . . till til 4 relief conie along . . ."he caught himself . . . "till he went awuy," he corrected, "then I dug It up." "Walt a minute. Get that straight. Tou said his relief. That means he wua In the count guard." Norman flushed. This man was too quirk fur blta He twisted thoughts tt-I- felt mother, Norman Erickson In. berita a dlstasta for Ufa on tha water, whlcb la beyond the understanding of hla father, Uustaf, veteran deep-watAt aallor. Mrs. Hrlckson's death Uustaf de. termlnea to make Norman, who baa been working; for a sroer, hla partner In hla flutiing boat, at once. In rebellious mood. Nor. nan aeeka comfort from Julia n playItlchaud, mate - of bla school daya. Gustaf, ajolng- to tha aid of a drowning friend Is crippled. After months, Gustaf la in a measure able to resume bla occupation. Kd Baker, young fisherman, Norman's lifelong enemy, fans 111 feeling between father and eon. and Norman determines to seek employment In tha lighthouse service. Norman ajoes to Blind Man s Eye. Captain Stocking la In command, living- with bla daughter, Susan. While filling a lamp with kerosene Susan aeta Ore to her skirts. Bhe la aaved from serious Injury by Norman, who is painfully On his day off duty Norman vlsita Julie Rlchaud. From the lighthouse Norman aeea a boat on the reefa. Making his way through the surf to tha wreck, he la atruck by the body of a dead dog. Gustaf Erickson had been fond of telling a ghastly story of a sea disaster In which a dead dog figured, and Norman, aa a child, bad listened to tt In terror. The dog recalls the atory and unnerves him. lie abandons hla idea of rescue. Captain Stocking aeta out in a boat for the wreck, sending Norman to the coast guard station for belp. Captain Parish, of the guard, launches a boat, ordering Norman to go with the crew. He ia unable to get aboard. Stocking brings a man ashore from the wreck. Captain Parish accuses Norman of cowardice. James Delong, the man rescued, ia a "gentleman farmer." Norman detects Baker in the act of burying a packet which Delong had dropped. He diga It up and keeps it. sir" 44 DoktcMerrill THE STORY From Alan ra TIMES-NEW- It bad not occurred to him that a man could be afraid without being a coward. Even now, with bop rising quickly within htm, be only balf believed It. be "It waa yoor d d dog began brokenly. "My dog?" Delong leaned forward. "Needn't call hlra a d d dog. Erickson. He was pretty much all right. Why are you scared of dogs?" "I'm not ! Not of live onea . . It'a a dead dog In tbe water . . . oh, I can't explain It-- It made me think . . ." "Of what?" "Of a story." "OhP Delong'a voice held a touch of triumph. "A story?" be repeated. For half an hour the assistant keeper talked. Now and then Delong Interrupted with a word, a question or a quick exclamation. Norman told of his big, father and hla little French mother, of the schooner Cottland and the captain's dog. He told It word for word as he bad heard bis father tell It; he omitted nothing, no period, no Inflection, no oaih, not even Gustafs bitter laugh. He slipped without realizing Into bis father's odd minor singsong, whlcb gave the tule Its appalling quality. When be had done Delong was silent a full minute. "1 know," be admitted finally. "1 know exactly bow that dog affected you. I saw a mnn hanged once when I was a law student. It was years before I could look at a knotted rope. Tell me what happened next, at Madrid, op at your bome." Norman possessed a warm sense that this stranger was sympathetic to him. Yon could talk to a mun like this. He knew how to take what you sold. He knew exactly what Another hour you were thinking. Norman talked. He told of his father's pride In the name Erickson, of bis nnreasonlng shame In Norman's wagon Job, bow Gustaf called him and "no son to me"; how Gostnf, at length, bad driven him nut. e concluded by saying: uker called me a yellow-belliepickerel after tbe boat got off tonight. I don't know, maybe that's what I am. I can't get It worked out right In my head." Delong reached for a cigarette. He lighted It, then holding the match, stared at the Same until it burned his Sneers. "I wonder." he said at last, "If there's a mnn alive with steady enough nerves not to be afraid at some time or other. Take the way 1 was tonight out there on the reef. Scared? Lord, I was scared I Nobody along but my dog . . . my crew deserted." He smiled. "He was 1 a fellow named Mulligan. him up at Grand Haven. All he wanted was a trip to Manistee, I guess. least be left me there. I came on gt alone." "You haven't much sailor sense." Norman told him with conviction. "Nobody goes out much alone, not for long trips, that Is. Not even my father. And he's a storm sense, too. knows when It's coming." "So has my brother," the lawyer said. Norman caught pride In his tone. He felt Delong was purposely He fell In changing the subject with It "Tour brother a sailor?" His "A farmer. Fruit farmer. name Is Fritz. We own an orchard In the hills." The assistant keeper started. Fritz was the name he bad beard Gertnaine So this was the same growl about. Delong I He was disappointed to tind He had hoped this friendly It out lie man was not of that family. seemed to have too much sense to have built that great lake up there In the hills . . . why. It was a quarter as large as Ottawa ! Any fool In the peninsula knew It couldn't last. Those dikes the Delongs bad built . . more than half sand . . . they'd give way some hard rniu and there'd he a flood wiping out the bottoms. "Was It you dammed the Tamarack?" he asked bluntly. The other nodded. "My brother Fritz aud L Be came ..." sea-lovin- red-haire- d d lllllilSS "Needn't Call Him a D son." n Dog, Erick- right out of one's head, made them into words, asked questions one couldn't crawl around. "Are you a lawyer?" be asked bluntly. Delong laughed. The muscles of his face relaxed. "Yes," he admitted. Then I guess you're Just what 1 need 1" believe you're telling the truth," the other said, "only not all of it. But you don't need a lawyer. All you need Is a little cool thinking." Think cool? In this pack of porcupines?" Delong shook his bead good "1 "What's been the mutter with you tonight? Frightened?" "Not exactly . . . yes, eure 1 was, scared half to death. . ., "I was, too. Out on that reef, with the boat sinking under uie? Of course 1 was I Who wouldn't be? 1 had no Idea where I was, a mile from shore or ten miles. 1 bad a right to be afraid." Norman caught at the word. "A right to be?" he demanded. "Certainly. All men have a right to be afraid. Don't let anybody tell you Oi.ly a fool Isn't afraid uny different It's bow under some circumstances. you act that counts, how you act when you're so scared you think you can't take another breath." Norman stared at him. Bravery and cowardice never bad been presented to him as such Involved affairs. First Door Knockers Utilized as Weapons The decorative quality of door knockers has been gaining in recognition and Is now held in poular favor, says a writer in Your Home Magazine. "Door knockers," reads Your Home, "were little known in the obscure reaches of ancient history, and their development from articles of mere utility to objects of art has covered centuries. Tbe Greeks considered it a breach of etiquette to enter a house without warning the Inmates. Spartans gave this notice by shouting their arrival, but the Athenians announced themselves by using the knocker, was doubtless which Introduction made at the time when doors superseded hangings for purposes of greut-e- r privacy or safety. First It conpiece of iron sisted of a rod-likchained to the door, but unfriendly e Optimist and Pessimist Optimists and pessimists have each their uses. We know how often the minor difficulties of life may be defeated by mere cheerfulness. But when the difficulty Is big, a bigger effort Is teeded ; you have to get down to causes and effects, and recognize what Is wrong before starling to cure It. Nothing Is more foolish than to shirk swallowing an unpleasant medicine, because two or three trifling and superficial symptoms seem for a moment to belle your disease. visitors sometimes wrenched It from the door and used It as a weapon of offense against the Inmates. It was then that the form was changed to that of a heavy ting fastened by a strong clamp or plate to the door, thus serving the double purpose of knocker and handle. From Greece the custom was transmitted to the Romans and through their conquests to nearly every country of Europe. It was not long before they were very much elaborated, beveled, chased and designed in many variations, of which reproductions may be found for the door that would be Interesting today." Find Inscribed Tablets Twelve thousand Inscribed tablets, found recently In an unearthed temple In eastern Arabia by the Bagdad School of Oriental Research, prove thut there was a reading public 35 centuries ago. According to HaJI ltik-kaIn the Marsb Arab. Inscribed bricks bearing tha names of Nebuchadnezzar and Ctnam-mare still picked up In the Iraq section of Arnbla, and are so common In places that they pave many a courtyard In the houses of lower Iraq today. Washington Tost u Improved Teacher "Now, don't you think your daughter's vole. Is Improved?" Father "Yes, but it's not cured." Voncouver Province, op here first Doctors sent him to the country. He got the Idea for tbe lake. It'a what makes our place valuable now." "It's tbe lake that's going to bust through some day and drown a lot of people." 's "Break through our dam?" laugh sounded out of place In tbe middle of tbe night In tbe lighthouse parlor. Norman sbooked bis bead uncertainly. "If that dam ever gives, there's going to be a lot of drowned cows and afloating down the valley. Everybody knows that back on the Tamarack. The river's Just a trickle now in dry weather. Just a trickle coming over your spillway. If It ever lets loose all at once, it'll be catastrophe, folks say." They're wrong. It's safe as a mud puddle! I'm going to build a bouse up there, some day." Norman listened to blm critically. Tbe lawyer seemed sure of himself. "I hope you're right, sir," be said. There's fine folks in the valley down Good friends of mine." He below. hen-coop- looked at the clock. Time for Inspection," he exclaimed, putting on bis shoes. He stood up "Thanks, sir," he said, awkwardly. "thanks for listening to me." He slid out Into the rain to make This night's business his patrol. would start a nice smoke up In the hills. And In Madrid Bay. Ills father was right about bis not coming to Madrid now. But be'd return some time; wben be could return unashamed. That might be a long time, but he'd go, if Delong was right He liked this stranger; something about the fellow made blm feel like a man. He stoked and banked tbe fire that still smoldered under the boilers In tbe signal bouse, tested the water and steam gages, and climbed to the top of the tower. A new fog waa creeping down across tbe water. Thick weather. The shore might be In for a siege of it Norman returned to tbe house. Captain Stocking was waiting In the parlor, his boots under bla arm, bis cold pipe In bis teeth, and a scowl on bla fat sleepy face. He looked at bis assistant suspiciously. His manner irritated Norman. He guessed that Delong had told blm of tbe packet. "Where you find this wan'a bundle?" Stocking asked abruptly. "Cp the beach." That's a wide latitude. you find it?" "He's explained that to me satisfac"It Delong torily," Interrupted. washed ashore, Erickson found it and brought it In. Oh, It's mine, all right . . . ree . . . J. D." Captain Stocking put on bis glasses. "What's that stand for?" be Inquired. "James Delong." The captain was looking at the papers on tbe table. "Your packet open when you got It?" be demanded. "No," Delong answered. "Been opened?" "Yes," he admitted. "Was? How you know that?" "I've told you all that's necessary," Delong said, "but if you want to know more . . ."be reached to tbe table and picked up tbe document with tbe smudgy mark on its corner. "There's proof, sir. See that smudge? Oily. This paper was handled by some ono who bad oil on bis bands recently . . . paper's damp or It would have made an excellent finger-prin- t You have oil on "You, Erickson? your bands?" "Erickson dldnt open It" "How you know? Erickson, let's see your bands I" "Come, come, Captain Stocking!" Delong cbided. Norman stared at the keeper stubbornly ; then put bis bands into bis pockets. "They're clean," be paid quietly, "you couldn't tell anything by my hands. Might have been oily. Probably were. I washed them Just a little while ago . . . lots of men bere on this point get oil on their bands . . ." "Who?" the keeper took off his glasses excitedly. "Who, I ask ye?" "Why, you yourself. Captain," Delong said. "Here . . . wait a minute, 1 wouldn't get so upset! I know It wasn't you. I Judge there are several other men around bere who handle engines. . . ." "Engines? You say engines?" The keeper sat down thoughtfully. he repeated. "Well, well . . ." He turned on Norman; "time for my watch?" be asked. "Yes, sir," Norman answered, "but I can stand It" "Go do It" Captain Stocking bade, "call me afore sunup. And don't come bustin' back In bere, Erickson. I want to talk a few minutes wltb this fel- ..." "En-glnes- ," low." Norman retreated. Captain Stocking waited by the window until his assistant bad run down the walk. He shook bis bead once. Then he rubbed his glasses savagely. "Guess you feel fit to talk sense now, mister, and I expects an answer, all shipshape and proper. What'd you have In this bundle?" "Deeds. I own a share In a farm up in the hills. There have been titles under litigation. I Just bad the papers straightened up." "No money?" "In that envelope? No!" "Erickson didn't take nothln" out'n It?" That boy? Oh, no I That's all settled. Captain. He's explained the whole V lng to my liking." "Aln' explained It to mine! Who dirty mark on that paper? got t' Erickson have that pneket? Wher Why dldn t he brina It In afore wlui we all was 'alkin about it?" "He didn't say. Captain stm-king.- tTO UK CONTINUED. 1 jsV4 ia-- 1 X 1929 4 a 4444eAaaAaAAaaaa7 News Notes;! 2 It's m Privilege to Lice ia Utah I ! : ;; EPHRAIM Ranger J. Ollertoa of the Manti Nation forest made a trip to the Mammoth ranger station reInches cently and reports twenty-eigh- t of snow, with a water content of fiva Inches. HEBER The "lion's share" of at the recent Utah seed show, In certified seed potato classes, went to the Wasatch County Seed Growers' association ss the culmination of a long program of seed Improvement ELSINORE A Carload of poultry went out recently destined for San Francisco. The blrda were gathered from the poultry yards In the vicinity of Monroe and this city. The carload comprised more than 4000 birds and was shipped in a special poultry car. MYTON Sheepmen of the the Nina Mile and Green River districts near Myton have been forced to begin feeding their flocks with corn because of the scarcity of feed due to dry autumn weather. Conservation esttmab place the number of sheep In tbe region at between 40,0 and 60,000 head. PROVO The annual Utah county Poultry and Rabbit show will be held at 164 West Center street In this city, January 22 to 26, according to officers of the Utah County Poultry and the Utah County Rabbit Breeders' associations. T. H. Horay of Salt Lake Will Judge the show. CASTLE DALE Engineer Carl A. Erickson and a crew of surveyors are again doing the preliminary survey work for the Salina canyon highway. According to the engineer, the survey, started last summer, win now be completed unless something unforseen happens to change the resent program. EPHRAIM Manti National Forest Woolgrowers association Is officially on record for an "open" game law In Utah to permit the killing of deer, male and female, and of elk when they are damaging the range. The resolution to that effect has been submitted to the Utah Woolgrowers' association. SALT LAKE Barnyard squawks, cackles and general atmosphere emanated from the spacious room at 9 West Broadway last Monday from morning until 10 o'clock at night. More than 1000 birds of almost every size, color and type vied for honors In the fortieth annual show cf the Utah Poultry association. OG.DEN The tenth annual Ogden livestock show, held January 5 to 10, was a great success, officials, Judges, visitor and exhibitors declared, and ranked among the greatest In the country. Attendance this year was larger than ever before, with over 20,000 persons passing through the gates In six days. SALT LAKE California produced 209,000 pounds of the 647,000 pounds of cheese marketed at San Francisco In December. Wisconsin was next,' shipping 153,000 pounds of cheese to tha coast Idaho supplied 142,000 pounds. Utah furnished 320 pounds during the month. Practically no eggs went from this region to San Francisco or Los Angeles In December. RICHFIELD Low bid for the contract to place the gravel surface on the 16.495 miles of the state's end of Carmel highway was subthe Zion-M- t mitted by A. G. Toung and company, of Richfield, it was revealed when the eealed bids were opened at the offices of the state road commission recently. Under the bid of this concern, the total cost of the gravel surface for the project would be $67,980.05. SALT LAKE The storm which recently came np from California hurried past Utah leaving only a light snow In Us wake, but the area of low barometric pressure forced Its way( Into, the north where there was an Intense cold wave which threatened to reach Utah. This cold wave has now gone eastward and there Is Indicated little change in the Utah temperature, according to J. Cecil Alter. UTAH Although the number of cattle on feed for market In the eleven corn belt states was 8 per cent greater on January 1 than at the same time last year, cattle on feed In Utah the first of this year totaled 25,000 head, compared with 27,000 head In 1928 and 40,000 In 1927, according to a report released Tuesday by Frank Andrews, local statistician of the United States department of agriculture. LOGAN Methods proposed for controlling Bear river and the location of the control works for the federal migratory bird refuge to be established there were considered by representatives of the United States biological survey and the Irrigation division of the bureau of public roads In Logan recently. The plans are those devel-cpeby L. M. Wlnsor and staff of the bureau during the past summer. MANTI Stock was benefited during December by new snows, while sheep on the western winter ranges suffered from a short period of cold weather, said the monthly report Issued by Frank Andrews, agricultural statistician for the United States department of agriculture. The supply cf hay and feed grains la still apparently sufficient for ordinary winter needs, but anxiety Is expressed by fome stockmen who do not think the supply will last through a long, hard Inter-mountai- n 33-3- one-fourt- h d Winter. |