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Show LEHI FREE PRESS, LEHL UTAH o Sallx Sez MO ' A Romance of the North Woods s III CHAPTER X Continued 11 Aj John went slowly back towards town he saw two people on skis a quarter of a telle away. Fie watched them for a time and made up bis mind that It was Gorbel with Marie. Tfcey seemed to be watching bira. too, although because of the glare of an early March sun on the snow he could cot be sure. On Monday morning be stood for the second time In Paul Gorbel's office. The man turned on him a face that was lined now; hollows showed beneath eyes that roved a bit ; eyes that bad been so well controlled a fortnight before, so steady, so bland. But they would not obey the remnant of that tried to direct the light In them this day. Uneasy eyes, they were, and the man's voice was silently busked. "You sent word by Mac Saturday night that you'd bought a new team," John said. "Yes. DeForest came In and offered a bargain. I thought I'd let you have em tried out" "Well" dryly "be Just came In to take 'em back." "So soon? You you tried self-contr- ... thenar "One tried me." "I don't understand." "A horse was loose In the barn when I went In yesterday. Ile'd never been properly tied up." and He spoke dispassionately watched for change in the face before him; but Gorbel held steady now. I don't I don't "Well get you. Did you send the team back because the man was careless on a detail?" "Don't stall, Corbel!" John dried, and the other straightened as color whipped Into his face. "Don't stall another syllable. I'm here because good luck was with me!" Gorbel shoved back bis chair. "What's the Idear he aRked thickly, rising. "I don't like this, Belknap, whatever It may be!" "No, you don't like it !" Rage, now, had young John; had his eyes and his voice and his gestures. "You tried to frame me with a man once, and with a horse next. You" "Frame youl" His voice was a ... ... snarl "have for years, likely, about PeForest's outlaw black. If you haven't, It's the one thing you haven't known about this country I Shut up, now, and let me talk 1" with a commanding gesture as Gorbel swung around the corner of the desk. "I found him loose In the barn. He tried to get me and didn't My teamsters all knew about him; every man-jac- k of them knew that no sane man would buy the horse. You'd "I called on DeForest achooled him well, Gorbel. You'd probably schooled Baxter well, too, but I didn't bother trying to break him down!" "Man, you're crazy ! DeForest? An outlaw horse? Baxter? What the devil are you driving at?" The rigidity went from John Belknap's posture and he laughed helplessly. "You're good!" he said. "You're good, you toad ! Why don't you try to fight like a man? You've guts enough to try murder, why don't you try It In the open? Why won't you let " If I'll let any "Look here! I'm addled kid talk to me like this! I'm If . . . Murder? Fight? Somebody trying to harm you and you're trying to hand the blame on me? That It? Now why In the name of heaven should I want to harm you?" A quick warning flickered through John's anger. Roused as he was, Corbel's craft had not deserted him. Prying, he was now, using the fertile field of high rage, when bars of caution are down, to discover what and how much John Belknap knew, and the boy drove back his temper and his contempt, striving to match cunning with cunning. "I haven't the slightest Idea," he said. "Not an idea to my back! But yoo don't want me here; you're trying to drive me out." He thought a shadow of relief appeared In that face before him. Gorbel let out a short breath of disgust. "Drive you out!" he muttered, as though such an Idea were the depth of absurdity. "Why, I haven't even remembered ou were around the job a dozen times since you came In ! But If you're not drunk, you're Insane and there's room here for neither boors fighters nor madmen!" "I'm flred, then?" "Right now!" "Your privilege," John shrugged. he said. "And youH get out of the company boarding house today 1" "Also your right" "And out of Kampfest too!" "Steady, neighbor!" John's rage was passing; he was noting the anxiety In the other's tone now, as of one who presses rashly Into a welcome opening. "Utile too far, that I'm staying In town, Gorbel. Things have been quiet in Shoestring since I came here. That was my principal reason In coming. . . . I'll be In Kampfest, watch known dd dd By HAROLD TITUS Copyright 11JI ing my step. If you try me again . . . In person, please!" He went out without another word, closing the door firmly, and I'aul Gorbel, standing there, eyes on the door, let a hand lift slowly to his chin, fingers fumbling with the flesh there. He stood so for a long Interval. Then swiftly, a bit unsteadily, he crossed the room and locked the door. Fists rammed Into pockets, he paced the room while moisture pricked out In tiny pearls on bis face. Fear was riding the man now, fear and desperation. Not fear of the possibility that John Belknap might be able to prove a case against blm through either Buxter or DeForest. Another fear gnawed at him, had been grinding him for days, and something about John Belknap's attitude made him feel that the lad was not thinking wholly of his own safety. He bad had the manner of one who knows more than he tells, of one who Is waiting, with all confidence, for a tremendous moment. , . . And Nat Bradshaw had been a bit too casual the last time he came. His eyes had betrayed a flicker of guile when be talked of the fire In the Richards barn; and another time he had come he had gone from this office to the hot pond where John Belknap worked ! For years Paul Corbel's conscience had not troubled him; he had taken what he could take, by fair means or foul, escaping detection but piling up In his own heart a cumulative burden of fear. He had not admitted that fear even to himself until lately, and then, like a festering wound, it had commenced to swell and throb. It would not let blm keep his mind on his affairs during daylight; It would not let him sleep. Other nights be bad thought that pounding In his ears was the heavy beating of his heart ; last night it had been like the fall of collective feet . . . thudding in awkward measure as men ! . . . Last marched in night . . . and young Belknap knew more than he had said. . . . and looked He halted In about like one trapped. Then he went to his desk, opened a locked drawer, and slipped the pistol that lay there into his pocket. After a time he unlocked the door and went through the motions of functioning as a managing partner. lock-step- mid-roo- And over in Shoestring Ellen Rich- ards was going through the motions of performing her daily tasks. Evidence of strain was heavy upon her, a different sort of strain than that which had racked her when the man she now knew to be John Belknap came to her employ. Matters had eased in the woods; the Belknap & Gorbel operation on her railroad had slowed down on log production; her transportation facilities had been able to take care of both Jobs handily; a reserve of logs was growing in her yard; the dark clouds which had hovered over her business affairs were seeming to lift But things had happened to her which robbed this turn of events of any Joy; things which wakened her from sound sleep with heart racing, with a feeling of having called out in her dreams appenllngly to the man who had come into her life and gone out of It again, leaving the Job in order but life In chaos. During waking hours she knew that she thought of John Belknap only with contempt, but at night, as she slept, he came to her In dreams, laughter mingling with the determination in his eyes, and she lived again those moments In the office at camp when she yielded Impulsively to his arms, when she raised her face hungrily for his lips. . . . Sweet, the dreams were! But she shuddered on wakening. To surrender her heart to a man who had deceived her, who had sworn allegiance only to undermine her worldly possessions, was unthinkable. And yet that heart remained untractable. Her mind persuaded, argued, badgered, even stormed. In certain moments, but when the mind dropped into deep rest that heart went its forbidden way. Yesterday the woman who kept her house had declared her ill. This morning the old bookkeeper had eyed her over the rims of his spectacles and said one word: "Peaked!" He left his high stool and drew his spectacles down low on his nose again. "Ellen, you're comln' down with something!" he declared. "Sakes, but you do look peaked! You better go home an' rest" Home? To lie there in the room where she dreamed tenderly at night of a man who was her worst enemy? Home? To live again and again those moments which once had been sweet but which now, even In memory, whipped the heat of humiliation to her cheeks? Not home! A girl can't stay In the when her theater of heart-breanerves are rubbed raw and drawn singing tight, can she? "Tell the barn to hitch up the drivers," she said. "I'll have them take me out towards the Mad Woman. A day or two at Wolfs Is what I ueed. I guess." k And so she went, a light pack sack and snowsboes stowed behind ber. eager to be afoot and trudging the dozen miles that lay between the end of this road and the trapier's camp. CHAPTER XI held to man's hand, so closely was it tilled the sheriffs breast The report felt as and then, the room, arm. those stout fingers loosen on his the sheriff drew a long, retching G-r- bel ... breath. "Shot !" he muttered. "Shot . . day for Paul Gorbel was drawing to Its close, with light snow failing outside. He had changed to woods clothing at noon, Intending to drive to one of But fear held him In the camps. town, that fear which grew with the hours. Dusk now, and the approach of closing time. He sat brooding, planning how he could flee the country If flight became necessary, torn between the fear of having to face a state's law If he remained and the fear of adding to suspicion If be left . . . That suspicion might still be a figment of bis own Imagination, a product of He could not conscience. . . . know. . . . A cruiser came In, dropping his pack In the hallway. He had been to the northward for a fortnight and Gorbel appeared to listen while the man made a brief report of his activity and his findings. "Didn't expect you back so soon," Paul said. "Nor would I've made It but for findin' old man Richards' cabin empty. Run on to him headed east with his outfit after wolves that are raiding the Caribou deer yard. I knew he'd camp over there until he'd got the wolves or used up all his tricks, so I moved my stuff down Into his camp. It was closer to those descriptions, you see. I didn't have to spend most of my time goln' from camp to timber." The mill whistle blew then; In the back office chairs scraped and feet sounded. "Another day," Gorbel said. "Come In tomorrow and we'll go over this matter again." The woodsman left Soon afterward a team pulled to a halt before the office, and the big man on the seat of the light sleigh kicked robes from about his feet and rose. Inside Gorbel strained forward, tense, waiting. Knuckles fell on the panel. Gorbel wet his lips. "Come In !" he said, unsteadily. The knob turned and Nat big hulk showed In the gloom. "Oh!" he said. "You, Gorbel?" "Hullo!" Gorbel said, fighting for his "Hullo, Nat! Just leaving. The sheriff did not advance but stood there, saying nothing, sliding his hands into his pants pockets, feet an spread, back against that door ominously blockading figure. "Then I'm Just In time," he said dryly. "I've come for you, Gorbel!" "Me?" "Yeah. You . . . finally !" the word fell heavily. No fancied corner now ! No trap made up of the fabrics of guilty Imaginings was closing on Taul Gorbel. This was real. why, what the devil "Why . . . are you driving at?" he demanded. rallying a show of bluster. "Turn on your light and I'll read why." Light, with the sheriff Light! standing there against the door, suspicious, ready for any emergency? "They're burned out," he lied. "Fuse blew Just before you drove up. . . . What do you mean you'll read why?" "I've got a warrant for you. Gorbel," the sheriff said slowly. "It's for arson." He paused. "Arson!" Gorbel's voice crackled. Ain't a pleasant word. Is "Yeah. It? Ain't a pleasant crime, neither. You overBad as murder. Corbel. stepped yourself in your story. The university says the lad you put in the way of beln killed hadn't been drink-In- ' for long. . . . Put on your hat and coat; we've got a drive to make." "Look here, Nat ! , . . Why, there's There's some devilish some mistake! mistake behind this! Arson? . , . Good C d. Nat, you don't" "1 don't aim to visit with you, Gorbel. Put on your coat!" Bitterness was rising In the sheriffs heart, a contempt that must be voiced. "I don't aim to visit with you. I've got you cold. Corbel! For a long time you've fooled us all, but that's over now. I'm glad I'm sheriff of this county tonight to take back to my Jail a firebug, a skunk I" Lights danced before Paul Corbel's eyes, though there were no lights. A roaring sounded In his ears. The mountain of doom was moving towards hint, to overwhelm him, to blot him out; to mash his cupidity, his loves, his ambitions. He turned, as If to tear open a win dow and jump, and a great hand caught his arm. If I have to. "No you don't The man shrank In the sheriffs clutch, tried to tear away. He made strange sounds In his throat as his trembling hand fugged at a hip pocket "Let me go!" he screamed. "Let A mad Brad-shaw- 's l. ..." ... I'll" 1 me go, you fool !" "No . , . you've gone : to the end of your rope, and l!ie pist"! mine out. The stream of the spun it a lire as isliort, If" S3 WSV Bervica ... and and" He threw out a hand awkwardly for . ., . LI ,i had the the all and put Irew the forearm up strength he had Into the throw. The heavy chunk of glass struck the hr.nirt window nane: with an explosive crash it shattered and with a rasp and a tinkle big sections of It came slid ing down, some of the fragments jingling about the sheriff as. gasping, he sank slowly back to the rug his blood had stained. . . . On the crash, John and McWetny turned sharply. 'Y cosh! Somebody busted tnat window !" the mill foreman exclaimed. Instinctively, both looked across the street to locate the source of this minor destruction. No one was there who would have flung an object to smash the glass. A small boy ran across the road, wallowing through the drift "Busted !" he shrilled. "Hey! Look- - ti, s Hn-r- inn-wei- i. It !" He had stooped, picked something from the snow, and held it up just as "Shot!" He Muttered. "Shotl" support and dragged a chair over with him as he fell against the desk. . . . Paul Gorbel was at the door, springing the lock. He drew It shut behind him. He went along the corridor and down the steps with breath sputtering through set lips. . . . Inside, the man on the floor breathed heavily, trying to speak, to call out, fighting against the pain, struggling to rise; then slumping backward to He and pant But his , eyes were open and through the low window he watched the lighted stores across the way. John Belknap entered the boarding house late for supper. He had visited, after closing hours, with the young cashier of the Bank of Kampfest, paving the way for following up the story there that Marie of double-dealin- g had told him. Now that the break had come, he would push every angle relentlessly. As he pussed through the office the manager hailed him. "Long distance's been tryin' to get you all afternoon from Shoestring," he said. "And Nat Bradshaw was here, lookin' for you. . . . Oh, not over half-hou- r ago" glancing at the clock. "Did Nat drive back?" John asked. "Search me. He seemed sort of . . sort of glum, 1 guess. Didn't visit like he usually does." John stood a moment. Irresolute. Men were coming from the dining room. "I'll look up and down the street for Nat," he said. "Likely the call was from him." He walked to the corner, looked towards the mill and could see a team standing tied before the Belknap & Gorbel offices. It was Nat's team, he saw, as he came close, and laid a hand on the cheek of one horse while he scanned the building. The windows were blanks, reflecting only the lights from stores across the way. McWethy approached. "Mac, have you seen Nat?" John asked. "No . . . that's his team, ain't it?" "Yes. He's in town ; was looking for me." They stood, looking at passers, spec ulating as to the sheriffs where abouts. Inside that darkened office Nat Bradshaw, breathing painfully, heard voices drifting Into his consciousness as though a dream. He was cold. His feet were numb. His hands felt life less. The only warmth about him was the burning spot In his breast and, as he tried to move, a fresh spreading warmth ran down his side. He tried to call out but choked, and his throat filled with fluid. He strangled and reached an uncertain hand upward. The fingers found a leg of the overturned chair and gripped there. He pulled on the hand, he shoved upward with the other elbow He raised his torso slowly, breath bubbling at the effort, until his eyes were above the level of the window sill. They were standing there, John Belknap and one he could not dlstln gulsh; standing talking, looking up ano nown tne street He tried to call out again, but his voice was drowned Iq that stuff which made his breath rattle. He struggled against his weakness more determinedly. One hand was propping his body up. He let go the chair and grasped the desk top with the other, ringers tipped over a heaw l and the liquid ran down hid sleeve, lie fumbled for It again, so ciunisny, so painfully. They were going now; those two outside were moving away off somewhere . . . leaving him, when he needed men . . . when an officer A sort of needed help. rage swam upward. . . . t wasn't like young .lonnny iwknap to walk away from a man In a fix. , . ( Ink-wel- ... ... John reached his side. Inkwell!" he said, and with the object in his hand, looked np at the window, brows drawn. A group was gathering, questioning. exclaiming. "That came from Inside, Mac, John said quietly. "It was thrown through the window . . . and there was no light In there. Come along!" McWethy at his heels, John ran np the steps. The outer door was unlocked. but as he tried the knob to Gorbel 8 private office the latch resisted him. "Gorbel ?" he cried sharply. "Gorbel. you In there?" He held his head close to the panel as McWethy gestured for silence to those who had followed. "Gorbel I" sharply now. The silence In that room was ominous. 'Tm coming In unless you speak !" He strained against the door and thought he heard something like a light, light moan. "Get back !" he said abruptly. "Give me room !" He shoved them aside, poised and flung his shoulder hard against the door. The lock gave and let him headlong into the darkened office. "Somebody here!" he cried sharply as he saw the overturned chair, the figure on the floor. "Where's the light. . . . Somebody hurt . . . Here!" The room flooded as McWethy turned the switch. " 'Y gosh. It's Nat. . . . He's hurt!" The mill foreman spoke shrilly John knelt quickly beside the sheriff; he felt a wrist, put the other hand on the cold, wet forehead. The head turned slightly beneath his hand; the eyes opened stupidly, dully. "Nat! cried. worked. . Nat, what happened?" John He leaned low as the lips "Johnny ! . . . Johnny, you came . . back?" the faintest sort of whis- per. "Yes, I'm here, Nat What happened?" The eyes were clearing now, as consciousness emerged from its low ebb. "Shot mel" Bradshaw whispered. "Shot me . . . lung shot . . . Warrant's in my . . . pocket, Johnny. The stomach didn't have . . alky in A parIt He shot oxysm of strangling broke the words and John wiped a crimson stain from the lips. Panting now, the sheriff, and a was bright desperation climbing through the dullness in his eyes. One of his hands gripped John's arm tightly. "Listen. . . . You're . . . deputy now. . . . Warrant's in my . . . pocket. . . . Take my gun. . . . Gorbel shot me when I . . told him he was under . . . under . . . Understand, Johnny?" "I've got you, Nat" gently. Then, over his shoulder: "Call a doctor! ... w Thtr.'a nothing- like T. make a pereoa a f o.d night'. W " smile. comet from doinr tkiu. 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SPERE TENT & CO. AWNING Camping Suppliw "Everything in Canvaa Goodi" Salt Lake City 276 8. W. Temple Tenta Awnings ASK YOUR DRUGGIST FOR APEX AN INTERMOUNTAIN HoT PRODUCT Cod liver oil really comes from several different kinds of fish, such as haddock, pollack, hake, cusk, is well as from cod. 1 ..." Oil from the porpoise and hack fish has been found especially gooa for lubricating delicate mechanisms. NEW v lOTrtO Sold with a Money Back Guaranty Doodle" The origin of "Yankee seems to be obscure, uuu and thought that both music came from the Dutch. r wore Quick !" A man snatched up the telephone on the desk and gave a number. "Nat! have a warrant for Gorcame in here to serve it and he shot you down. I've got that Do you remember how long ago it wasl And what did he do?" The brows on the suffering face were high arched now, as the man fought for breath and strength. "Whistle time. . .minute or two . . . after. . . . Don't know where he . . . went Up to you . . Johnny. . . . NeV mind me!" bel. You Ipti You ... (TO BB CONTINUED.) Life in the Oceans world above the surface of the water there are many varieties of parasites, so, too, there are lazy creatures In the oceans which get a free ride through life. Rock are frequently encrusted withperchee of polyps, which hang to Its skin and which the poor fish Is unable to shake loose. The hermit crab thrvrta Itself into a colony of sea anemones, which are armed with a formidable battery of stinging cells and hence are given a wide berth by hungry fish. As the crab has a shell which Is not Irritated b, the sting cells, it lives In peaceful from he attacks of fish which security know better than to mix up wltn ih But how the anemones regard tha In. truder Is not known. As In the hun-dred- s 1 ifStn aho" Please send me full detailsuses the new Frigidaire that m more current than one electric moaew. super the also bulb, and H. BINTX CO. W. t flower Bees, wandering from bacun the flower, will transmit that causes fir blight. - $3.00 SffSs ahoald Me IntermoanUi" Similar to above. w Good- ayour atory in pioee or vere r. termonntain Product! Column, Boa I5S5. Salt Lake City. atory app.ara In thia (tQ column yoo will re-eeiva check for Ajl pJ.V' Week No. 1324 J"! |