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Show TMt" TTHf ir.vi?iTC5 VPPHI. TTTAH Then approaching from the factor's house appeared the figure of Denlse 'w St. Onge. He had seen her for a moment that morning, for his contemplated Journey to the Feather lakes and the autumn option, or something like that." camps of the Ojibways, interrupted by "You goose!" their discovery of the day before, IIe pressed ber arm to his side, and might admit of no return to the post was serious when he spoke again, aftbefore starting south. It all depended a moment's er pause. n bow early the winter broke. So he .A a to never asked "I have marry girl had called at the factor's to say goud-b- y me, Jane. Never in all nay life. Do until the sled trails wero hard in know VT why?" you 5" November. For late into the previous Sbe burled her face against h's shoulnight he hnd sat with his two swart-faceder. A vast, overwhelming thriH raced planning many companions arms went about His him. through things, and the first of these was an her and drew her close. GEORGE MARSH early return to Walling HIver with the "I never realized It, Jane I ne-fastest team of dogs that money would even thought of it till Just a Utile author, buy In. the Neplgon country. Another now know I that while ago but W( "TOILERS OF THE TRAIL" was a systematic running down of the have always loved you." "THE WHELPS OF THE WOLF mysterious marauder, on the snow. Her arm stole up about his- neck, THE PENN PUBLISHING co" where his trail could not escape them; she raised her chin. fc.?.c.feiwi.ffjys'",COPVR'GHT the last, and most vital to Brent Steelo I began calling myself your wife. he touched upon only to the extent of Into his clothes As he threw a was I hastily little when girl CHAPTER VI Continued very Oliver, the canvas bag, the words of Charlotte. nssnring Michel that Lascelles should when we first begun playing house 11 never succeed In his plan to force womCOPYRIGHT. BELL SYNDCATE.(w.N.U. together, and you were my husband "Will you promise me that you will "She weel go wid you for your enlse St. onge Into n marriage to and the dolls were our children." not " He hardly knew what he an," returned to mock htm. Did the her father's future with the was protect or nfter Indian all, know, really He kissed her rapturously. "Oh, my wished ie ask from the girl who so And she, herself, had never ceased to CHAPTER VIII Continued Uevlllon Freres, notwithstanding the to hand? his That force she trying God!" he burst out. "You'll never tensely listened. There had been wonder. this girl whom he hnd found fact that she had already assented to Oliver was strangely restless dur- know how miserable I have been these nothing between them. He had no in theexquisite "The best trained automobile In northern forests, as one finds a lis wishes. And the lean how weeks In few Jealous of his dlllidenee last but horribly the spite right In America," said Sammy, with his cus- ing dinner, and Immediately after should have come had sprung to his feet with an oath, the Jewel grass, ' been." I've not will found himself begging: "You at Its a whom she knew and wringing Steele's hand, cried: man tomary modesty. "Kindness is what company rose from the table enre to for of She stroked his cheek possessively. destroy yourself that beautiful talconclusion he asked Jane to come with floes it." 'Kef you do not come back, m'sleu, And unbelievable. so seemed little, "I haven't been very happy myself, ent, that soul, because you think to "So sorry to be late," said Mrs. hira for a little stroll in the open air. more than once since that day on and he cum to tnk' her to Albany, dey yet I sure "I she wasn't somewas save He father?" quite sighed. about to talking your you "I want to speak Sage, as Oliver ceremoniously handed had surprised a look weel fin' dead man by name of Lnscel- you would ever, ever ask me to be recklessly now, all reticence gone. the mountain he es een bees bed nt Wnllin' lUvIere." thing," he urged. "Better throw someher out of the car. In her eyes which had strangely sent wife." "No matter what happens to the post his "Never fear," Steele had answered, "What Is that I hear, Oliver?" said thing over your shoulders. The night your now that he And racing. pulses what La'jelles tries to do, promise "That reminds me." he cried boy 'David and I are coming back after the minister as he stepped out of the been knew had her all those he loving "Ought you to go off and leave the ishly. "Will you marry me. Miss me that you will not throw your car. Jane and Mrs. Sammy had predays which he might have Messieurs Lascelles nnd Windlgo." your life, to the winds. It Is precious Steele wns keenly curious of Denlse ceded him. "Is It true the detectives others, Oliver?" she began, a queer Sage?" made Indelible in memory he faced I voice. In her "Of course I will. Didn't I say I not r,vessnry, as you may think. St. Onge's motive In coming to the are here and expect to start this ridicu- little catch, as of alarm, St. conviction Denlse the that bitter " "Muriel end Sammy would marry the first what was have ample means, I will gladly Onge, once she hnd given her word, beach when he hnd already bade her lous search tomorrow?" finance your father I have Influence; would "Come along," he pleaded. "They that?" good-bthat morning at the house. "They're here all right," replied won't mind. keep It. I must see you alone for I'll take It up with headquarters In As she uttered the exclamation un He had said: "Mademoiselle, I am Oliver. "One of them tried to sell you his to Michel's shack He curried bag Don't Lnseelles! beat Weil Jane." few minutes, der her breath, she drew away from Montreal. a set of Dickens the other day." nd announced to tbe surprised owner started again with David and may don't destroy yourself, mademoi"I will get my wrap," she said, after him quickly, looking over her shoul"What !" cried Jane, gripping Olihe would eat and sleep there: not return to Wailing Biver before hat "It may be der at the thick, shadowy underbrush selle !" moment's hesitation. ver's arm. "What, that man a detechen. while In search of David, he rnn going south. Will you promise this As he finished, she was smiling at chilly outside." that lined the road below them. one tiling?" tive?" She was startled. nto St. Onge. i thc now, Janle," eyes, him "Why, you're shivering through I didn't hear anything," said he, Monsieur Steele," sbe hnd replied. "No less a person than Mr. Sherlock "Slonsleur old the Steele." soldier threw as he to window. the went he anxiously, with her. "It must have been rose and so patently rearing wnat tne Ameriturning Hawkshaw Malone, his hand and the - renowned her whispered vlgorousguest's rrlpped "You have not already?" he faltered, wrap over her shoulders. "Are you my heart trying to burst out of It sleuth," said Oliver, smiling. shook It "You hnve my extreme can might say that she lost control of sh ! Listen. There is someone over thinking of her letter to Albany. "The beast the beast !" she cried cold?" idmlratlon and gratitude. Mon Dleu ! her voice. "You forget that you have She did not reply. He followed her From the window came the low an- But D n his sneaking were magnificent. To sert you no right to ask anything of me." hotly. "Good heavens! That accounts out upon the porch and down the there In the brush. you of. Monsieur am fiancee "I the swer. But he had boldly Ignored her pro eyes. for the Interest he took In your famy friend nnd guest, Insulted before steps. No word passed' between them "Don't! Don't go down there!" she Lasceltes." test. "I nsk you, Denlse St Onge, not ther's disappearance." and him how made my you eyes in the until had turned the bend "You are mad mad," he groaned, to throw away your future your life cried, clutching ids arm. "You must "At any rate," said Mr. Sage, com- drive they and were outside the radius of not leave me nlcthe. I'm I'm afraid, stunned, unable to accept, now that he idiculous!" If you must until spring. I am sell-in? Steele's "he did face in not hardened. succeed placently, light shed from the windows. He was Ollle. I am alwiys afraid when I am had heard It, what he had feared. "I back on the snow, In Novemns a set nf Dlpbona coming the first to speak. had no risht to ask yon what I did. he"But your daughter what of her?" ber, to clear up this mystery and to near that awful swamp." almost of Jane started to say something, but, the fiercely, demanded, mademoiselle. "See hwe, Jane," he blurted out. And withsave you from yourself. "Let's walk dewn the road a little But I could not help It, Instead, abruptly turned away and I'm I'm terribly troubled and up I might have known the heart of you out waiting for her reply, for he did Joined the other women on the porch. set." That was as far as he got, way, Jane," said lie stubbornly. "Don t was dead. You hnve killed a beaunot dare trust himself, hnd left her. be afraid. I'll stTek close beside you." A queer little chill as of misgiving speech seemed to fail him. tiful thing." o the into down won't You And now for Borne reason she was stole over her. She laid her hand on his arm. face. a turned She suddenly tragic toward them, on a mission hurrying I "Is It about about the detective. swamp, sue encj anxiously. ''Hey, Oliver!" called out Sammy let "Monsieur, you may wonder why Steele Brent "No. Just alofg the road." urgent seemingly from down the drive where he was Oliver?" she asked tremulously. you say these things, but you have embank the little with. ran dowl watched the girl They approaching "No," he answered, almost roughly. she placed parking the car. "Come here a minread. Aiier nrieen or guessed the reason," and David and Michel exhope. high of ute, will you? Say," he went on, lowIt's about you. Jane. You've Just got ment into the Oicver heart on "the her hands her breast, pressed her arm twenty paces changed curious glances. Then she ering his voice as Oliver came up. me Is dead." And she left the room. reached them. warningly and stopped to listen. "I've Just picked up something rich. factor's To remain longer under the Ahead of them, some distance away, "I could not have you go, Monsieur Fellow came in day before yesterday Hopetins with dinner nt to sit roof, they heard footfalls the slow, regular less Steele," she said In her low, throaty and showed me a volume of the 'Arabi her hapbartered who hnd girl, tread of a man walking In the road. voice, "without wishing you bon voy-an Nights,' absolutely unexpurgatedfor her father's welfare, and nire" Tn her haste, a vaerarffrtoSt' Thev stood stll". listening. Suddenly piness ac"I know. And you fell for it, didn't to the man who was brute enough footfalls ceased. the black hair had loosed itself and she so you?" we have stopped," said cept the sacrifice, was unthinkable, knows "He caught It up with her left hand, as she ! Not so loud. My wife doesn't "Sh which "He's listening to sea If we Steele went to the little room Oliver. extended her right to Steele. know a thing about it. Cut Bay, who to his since his been coming, pack hnd are following." To her embarrassment he held the told you about it?' Charfound he duffle There bag. She was silent for a moment. "You his hand overlong In his as his eyes quesihen Oliver told him. Sammy lotte, waiting. I about said what remember being tioned hers. leaned against the mudguard and "You weesh for to maree mn'm'- spied upon, Oliver. I feel it, I feel it "You nsked me to make you a promswore softly. demanded. Indian the Felle?" abruptly ail about me. You are being watched "Sav. I wish I could rpmpmhur whnt monsieur," ehe snld In a voice-bareldid ise, but wns nnestlon Tbe startling, all the time, Oliver. Oh, how hateful. audible, looking from him grave-faceof the honor to the loyalty how unfair!" hills to the south. "Well, father. Lord, he had me talking a blue him. confronted who woman been "See here, Jane, I've thinking. to say, au revolr. You hnve my streak. Darn my fool eyes! You'd "She Is to marrv Monsieur Lns It's wrong for me to ask you to marry And she swiftly disengaged tiromlse." think I'd have sense enough to touched Oh, Steele by said gently, me tut an tnis mess is over, us eelles." her hand nnd had reached the elearing-liefor- e well, go ahead and kick me, Ollle. for me to. even ask you to con the evident friendliness which prompt wrong Steele sensed to the full what like." Right here. Just as hard ed Charlotte to seek him out. sider yourself engaged to me." words hnd meant. her v "Come on. They're waiting for us. Lascelles!" M'sleu bate had "She believes that you any Nobody Then to Steele's brain, dn7;ed with You needn't worry, old boy." nrotestpd the Olibway. "She thing to do with " and Joy, returned the words surprise and Oliver let de entered the sit i Sammy "Sly dear girl, nobody knows what crv an' cry w'en she send heem "She t'ink yexi good You are de good man, Michel "You Forget That You Have No Right of Charlotte: ting room. Mrs. Snge was standing to believe," said he seriously. "That's tnlr man, she weel go wid jou for your to Ask Anything of Me." almost directly under the chandelier. the Worst of It. My father Is gone. say. Daveed tell you have heeg house, voman." And he lifted his chest bl.'h You tnk' tna'm'selle, I was, so far as anyone knows, the hist far awnv sout'. talking to dumpy Mrs. Grimes; the man whose eyes wavered before his 'ith n deep breath, for he now he- weel light from above fell upon her nu she man. go to see hlni. As you say. no one may she tink vou good cold glance. ieved Charlotte had known. burn crown, flooded her magnificent believe that I had anything to do with wid you for your woman !" 'You hnve seen her?" St. Onge nnd Lascelles left the shoulders and arms, and then wavered It, but where Is he? A queer thing Steele's nnlse nuickened nt the 'Yes, she has told me. She's ruined trade-housand approached the waittimidly, almost helplessly, ns it first has Just happened. You know Peter thought. "Would she go with me. herself thrown away her hupplness-hecanoes. came In contact with resplendent op. ing has HInes that queer old bird who would she go with me?" he repeated life." "C.ood morning, gentlemen, you are position. The nctress was n heart tall always lived In the cabin at the lower to himself, "If I were man enough to "And nil for me," sighed the father late," greeted the man stiil In the cr than Mrs. Crimes, who nevertheless end of the swamp? lie has skipped tnke her from her father? She could all for me !" loud with the thought and picture bravely stood her ground and faced out. Hoarded up the door and win- never face a future with Lnseelles; knew she would do it d uf the girl who had but that luoment "Hut you St. comparison with all the hardihood of dows and " of Then his knowledge with the company entered her house. the righteous. lie started violently, the words dy- Onge asserted Itself. "Rut no, she protect your futurener "Cood morning, monsieur," returned ami you niioweu to, Meeie con M. Sage, with a distinctly bewiling on his lips. Oft to the south, be has given her word; nnd she'll keep turned pitilessly. In a voice, low, but St. Onge. "Monsieur Lascelles lias dedered and somewhat embarrassed ex yond the almost Impeneti able wall of It. She's that kind. She would never :irryli)g the bitterness of gall In It' rided that he will not have time to go pression keeping company with the lights In the desert her father, and she's tnund tones. night, gleamed far-of"Colonel St. Onge, you havi ipiiver." and late!" too wall of I'eler Ilities' shack. doting smile that seemed herself to Lascelles. It's proud Steele smiled sarcastically nt his to be stamped upon his lean visage. He Started Violently, the Words Dying with ener eyes permitted a beautiful soul to destroy his face said. he must "He have returned," Searching on His Dpi. itself. You" rival. The temptation to turn the stood across the room with his daugh In an odd voice. "Those lights" Charlotte waited for his answer. "Stop, monsieur!" St. Onge Inter tables was overpowering. Madeter and Mrs. Sammy. "Let us go In, dear," she pleaded. "It's too late Charlotte. to answer me. Are you going to be In a voice broken with pnsslon rupted. "Possibly Monsieur Lascelles litis "I I Trenchmean "Do you to tell me, Oliver, married V hear something moving among moiselle has already told the on do not know and you are my too tender a heart to desire to look "i Olithere. down him." It's tlmt those blighters Intend to begin the will weeds sbe man marry grisly, that he low so voice her "Yes," said, I forget what yoi at a dead man or Is It his nos?" ver creepy." Oliver yielded to her The scowl of contempt which greeted friend,I therefore digging up jour place tomorrow?" could scarcely hear the monosyllable not to do th have her Ho begged say. Lascelles' face went purple. made their face and dark way asked entreaties transformed the they his replv Josephine Incredulously. They wulked In silence for twenty am to lenve the company choked, made nn Impulsive movement Oliver laughed. "I think we'll nil paces or more, turning down the path hack to the house. of the OJibway Info that of a fury I will prepared not allow such a thing. Why,' toward Steele who stood grinning, Mrs. Sage was holding forth In her She hnd placed ber faith In this Amer rather enjoy the excitement. Aunt that led to the swamp road and the factor shook his cl nchei (1st then gulped down bis anger ns David "I I was afraid so," he muttered. most effective English when the two lean, nnd be had f.illed her. Josephine," he said. "I suppose they'll In Steele's face, "I would kill that pl sitting-room- . laughed outright In his face, while man She me are the the kitchen floor may entered to tell pood "Daveed you begin prying up Then fiercely: "Who are you going to I Michel turned his back. Too clever to have eyed them narrowly for a second to flu'ht have de strong heart," she LaseoHes before gave her to him." morrow, or digging trenches In the marry?" l;ut she has given herself to hb make n scene In which he vn bound burled at Mm. "Why you have de fear cellar, or tearing up the flower-beds.- " She sighed. "I am going to marry or two, but that was all. are you of her own free will, today. And she to appear at a disadvantage, the She looked at him narrowly. "What the first man who asks me," she re Frenchman; Sammy Parr, however, who hnd ov dat Ic-tlnow In control of hti.iself, utter rot Do they expect to find your plied and, having enst the die. whs been observing Oliver very closely, got teog rabbit? Whv you not tak her Is n thoroughbred; she will keep bi word." proceeded to take his revenge by sayfather burled In the cellar or under Instantly mistress of herself. "Have up from his chair and marched across away cen de cano"? She weel go!" St. Onge glared Info Steele's Iming: the kitchen floor?" the room, his baud extended. yon any objections?" she asked, al swept Agnln. a fierce exultation "No, monsieur, but a soldier and old man!" he Mm. Charlotte imit know her mis mobile- face. "She will never marrv "Congratulations, "They don't expect to find him at most mockingly. be Monsieur that Steele," canaille, gentleman always gives precedence con no so with to he he secret henrd If unintentional the all," rcpilod Oliver, thoughts tress' joyously. speak paid question said pointedly, "the St. Onge have alto the ladles. I hnve hut a few d.iys heed to It. She felt the muscles of shortness. What he hnd of late felt And little old Mrs. Crimes, from her In the preaorice of Icnl-St ways known how to defend their to stay here and I have decided to lie glanced over bis Khoulder At his strong forearm grow taut, and she place on the sofa, remarked, as she sens'-honor." spend them nil In tbe company of a Ini ns hnd he what Jiuie. Their eyes met and their gaze heard the quick Intake of his breath. leaned back with a sigh of content: nlde put Onge; The two were Interrupted by the lovely lady, my fiancee, Madevery Illusion unbelievable an knows about held for fome eeonds. It's He detects She waited. She began to hum a va"Well, goodness possible, of Lascelles crossing the moiselle St. Onge. own on mlclit his an to emotions based time." age th clouded, troubled look In hers and grant little air. It seemed and Steele, In no mood to ito hb rnNTivrsn ) Proving that since the entrance of after nil, have been ber Instinctive clearing, wis suddenly conscious of what must her before he spoke. meet the subject of the conversation, "Jane," he said gently nnd steadily the lovers the great Josephine bad call for help; the unvoiced renchlni left the hare seemed to her a serious Intensity A DifTunce excited factor awaiting th'1 failed to hold her audience spellbound. out of her heRrt to one who wonb In his own. lie knew now that he was "If you were a man and In my place mnn who was exultof the of Color WhalTo Gentleman First approach I CONTINUED. I'.ut In hnd mean ber need. he would (TO understand In tit you In love that he always hud been my predicament As he yo' runnin" so, boy? In his hard-woing victory. own so victim of his far ns to ask the girl you love failed her. The line with Jane, that he always would go he said: "I have imved Second Likewise Ah done Jes' seed better than anything In all the world Very True lack of vanity, he had gone off np- - turned away,Michel's be In love with her, lie compressed shack. It Is need-lesmy stuff to :l ghost Once the composer Massenet was rlver nnd left her to solve her pro! his tips and fought egnlnst the to marry you?" for me to tell you how much I "Whnr?" "There couldn't be any harm In ask conipelieil to nsien in n youtnrul lem alone, to bind bers lf definitely to strtnge, mad Impulse to shout that be " "Bout six mile back." and that your hospitality appreciate on hi his Hnd he hnd acted Lnce1!cs, when, opinion. give was In love with her, that she wh Ing her. she could refuse you, you prodigy of your daughter. You understand of "Huh! Yo dat much skcreii his--- nil "You have talent," lie snld to the Instincts, he mlcht hnve saved he his and that no man should know." course that I could not slay." ghostes?" "There's the gypsy's prophecy," he little pianist, "mid with proper dil- from herself. He had been blind nn take her away from him. "Yes, monsieur. It would only be "Not or'n'ry gho'fs noesuh! But murmured thickly. "It It may come igence and perseverance you ought to lOPt. Aod he? She was thinking of thi, to you nnd to tne, but I Ah done owed dat ghost a dollar embnrrassli.g true Jane." ( Who "We must wait. Charlotte. he aide dry, hot night when he came to see American !" Legion regret deeply to have you go." eight "It It cannot come true," she said "Oh. I would Iov to compose, ton," vou tfll me nbc.tif mademoiselle I her after leaving his father, out o Weekly. "how slmll ( did not know. I'.ut don't love heart the rnnnot. Oliver." "It prodigy; with Interrupted shoes fresh tils) covered bretth, CHAPTER VII "Still It Is something to be ron-dset about It?" lirst, I've work to do. I'm " golns t bine muJ. There had been no rain tw a lenra have Progres$ will deal said and "You he Then cntch that Wlnd'go. great heavily The roads were thick with ered," Judicially. for n The following morn'ng the peo;,te of "And how long have yon been at hand closed over hers anil gripped more and become older." Dot finish, for th .vn His did Steele too. bad noticed And Lnnslng, dut Wntllns Ulver were nt the river shore this work? tbe prison visitor asked. 'I'.iit oti composed when you wera face of the O.Iib-.vawovian went nut hta rhoos were muddy. lie had It tightly. "If you were In my place K "OH," Just long eno"sh to where the e men stood ho.!de a loaded th hesitate thirteen." about of nt wouldn't mention the inviting you her bar shout them, he sickly fray apnken to ratenitluaer n company hntig of It," tne new which ennoe rested near a "but Mmsenet, acknowledged r.arne. "Yes." to to become widow?' ber and she dread disappeare wondered where Oliver had been to on how led. ni birch. to uo I ur ask I It." any hr!. love you, Oil;r. when XB. "(,r'' through the door. Xt Ito tnud up to his shoe topa 'k T, voice sounds aw if 'it bad a laugh in It," the whispered. "In a month I 1!1 be thirty." he went on, his hearVas light ns air. "I might ask her to glva me a thirty day terras to tfPC ift&'TO r OLIVER OCTOBEBu 4GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON J, er l - VALLEY .r J VOICES 'te,S jmWtrw' d c Tf' WilfitfV half-bree- air" d .iap-plnes- s, y mist-blurre- d I'll" Wim mm , as-yo- Itiff ' l mm Mf3 d IPS to-th- I've-com- vehe-ninnM- f if? e Si' T 1 f.dt-ntly- e n s 1 t to" vrk. s-- ta |
