By Edison Marshall « SYNOPSIS ÇJfAPTTCH V— At the {¡rath of hte fouler father. Bruce Dun'-an, tn ar« eastern city, >s a myeterlou, myswig'i. sent by u Rons, summoning I*!u, them Or.-gun—to meet Youug Bill rode from house to bouse through the estate—the home« occu pied by Simon's brothers and codsln» and their resp«xdlve families. He knocked on each door and he only gnve <me little message. "Hluiou wants you at the house.” be said, “and come heeled." He wou'd turn to go, but always a singular quiet and breathlessness re mained tn the homes after bls de parture. There would be a curi<ms exchange of glances and certain signif icant sounds, One <>t them was the metallic click of cartridges being sllppet! into the magazine of a rifle, Another wa» the buckling on of spurs, and perhaps the ruttie of u pistol In Its holster. Before the night fell In reality, the clun cume riding—itrarge, tall figures in the hulf-darkm»»— straight for Simon's bouse. 1IU horse wus Huddled, too, and be met them In front of his door. Ami In a very few wor>l» lie made all things plain to them. "We've found l>uve,” he told them simply "Mo»t <>f you already know ft. We vo d«*«*i<led there Isn't uny u»** of waiting uny mon- We re going to th«- Folger hoiiHo tonight." CJIAPTi'.R n >g rec pnaniir > Dun« U> lita ki wandering «^r. "Perhaps the num« for It all is—tolerance." And I** turned the table». And Linda »poke "Perhaps,” he nodded- true; they offered the best of targets. sibly it is only—worship! • • Again the girl’s eyes were lurid silts • • • • between the lids. Her Ups were drawn, The had - . gone. The dim- me Turners auiu «1. — , and her breathing was «range. He tning lightning revealed th®1 ^tlr* ® J racking party half a mile dWant and looked at her calmly. and -No, Linda. I can't—" out of rifle ran«* 00 the ! Brure and Linda «ole together ont "You can't r she cried. "You cow into the storm. _ rr The green foliage of the tree had already burned away, but some of the ippel ■branches still glowed agulnst the dark sky. A fallen branch smol » dered on the ground hissing In the rain, and It lighted their way. Awed and mystified. Bruce halted before the mln of the great tree. He hud almost forgotten the stress of the moment Just passed. It did not even occur to him thut some of hte enemh-s. unseen before, might still be lurkl' i In the shadow, watching for u chsie to harm. They stood u moment lu silence. Then Bruc«1 uttered one little gasp and stretched his 13 hollow that the cleft In revealed. The light from tnA the flame of tne lamp danced wild torch bsside the house had completely I ly, filling the room with flickering shadows. Bruce straightened, the lines of his face setting deep He glanced once more at the rifle In hla hands. "Linda,” he wild, "put out that fire. If there's going to be an attack, we'd have a better chance tf the room wag I in darkness. We cun ehoot through the door then." Rhe obeyed at once, knocking the burning sticks apart and drenching them with water. She took off the glass »hade of the lamp, and the little gusts of wind that crept in the cracks of the windows immediately extin gulHhed tlie flame. The darkness dropped down. Then Bruce opened the door. The whole wilderness world strug gled in the grasp of the storm. The scene was such that no mortal mem ory could possibly forget. They saw it In great, vivid glimpses in the inter mittent flushes of the lightning, and the world reemed no longer thut which they hud come to know. Chaos was upon It. The tall tops of the tree1- wagged back und forth In frenzied sig their brunches smote and rubbed And Just without their door hel Pin, top llftl will soou be here, and we have an Abundance of Xmas Candies and Nuts for th<‘ occasion. Get our prices before buying. Do you remember last year? Conover & Conover u b« moro in«» •»I l‘fl (_ _ "You C the lit ard—You Trait moved Whilo There's Time roads storu. ' roiu'hhu, I back and forth, yet still it -Mr» Itosi' ca ‘ aril —you traitor! K.1I high pluce us Sentinel of the igly ; jH-rlmp ‘ while there’» time 1” _ CHAFTIOR VI I -On the wuv, "Blinon*' passionless, patient, talking vers thun fr sternly wurim hi *1 ju to tfivç up his quest ., and She suw the resolve it pussion that be through the murk of cloud» to th«1 and return itio.L . Bruœ refus«»* I she snatched the rifle from bls huads. stars thut burned beyond for bls usual ar- CHAPTICR VII - Mr». Ito»», agnd an<t "See," Linda said. "The Turners She hurled It to her shoulder uml three Hight Blll und I infirm, wcloomee him with emotion. She [ times fired blindly toward the retreat- hswitene him on hl» way—U,e end or “Flue- ure coming." and we will rear, Needle Trull " It wus true. Bru«; dropped his eyes Ing Turners. CTUPTEH VIIL -Throuirh a countri At thut instant Bnici- seemed to the minute you break through the ' Even now the Clan hud spread out lh I.uuillnr Bru'-i* Journey», and find«; nLi rhlMhixxl playmate, ijnda. I front The rent of you surround the u great wing und wus bearing down I come to life. His thoughts had been house on three sides. And remember— upon Uie house. The lightning showed : clear ever since the tree hud been CHAPTER IX.-Th« girl trite htm of wTrrnfu oom tn It ted by an enemy clan on 1 them In strange, vivid flushes. Bruce . struck; bls vision was straighter und no num Is to touch Llndu.” family, Uie fUxiee» faun!» ocoupled , more fur-reuchlng thun ever in his life They nodded grimly; thun th«1 tile nodde«l slowly. the clan were stolen from the Itoreoe, the family with the exception of I of horsemen »turte«l toward the ridge. "I see," he answered, “I’m reedy.” | before, but now his muscles weukened, it Elmira (Mra r<o»ej nail heroelr, “Then shoot them, <julck-*-when the too. He sprang toward the girl und Far distant they heard a sound such wiped out by Mraiwlnuiion. Bru xt1« fa ther, Matthew Folger. wm one of the as find reached them often In summer, i lightning shows them," she whispered j snatched the rifle from her hand. She victims Hl» mother had find with finw but was unfamiliar In fall, It was 1 In his ear. “They're lu range now.” fought for it, and he held her with a Llndiu Thy girl, while small, bad 1 kldnaiied from the orptianaae and Her hand seized bis arm. "What are strong arm. the faint rumble of distant thunder. ixht to the mountains. IJpda’H ratlier • • • • • • • you wultlng for?" , “AValt—wait, Linda,” he said gently. deeded hla land» to Matthew Folger, but the agreement, wtit h would ponrute He turned to her sternly. "Have you "You’ve wasted three cartridges now. Bruce and Linda sat In the front then'll muy > claims to the property, has mom of the Folger house, quiet and forgotten we only have five shells?" There are only two left. And we may need them some other time." watchful und unafraid, It was not he asked. "Go buck to Elmira." CHAPTER X.—I«ri>o«r» muuntatn Mood Iler eyes met hla, and site tried to that they did not realize tbelr danger. He held her from him with his arm; soapond» to lha rail of tbs blood-fowl They had simply taken nil potwlble smile Into them. and It was as If his strength flowed OIAJTL7R XI.—A rUpl tree, th« Hm- ineuKures of defense; ami they were "Forgive me, Bruce—it's hard—to be Into her. ner blazing eyes sought fln«l Pine, In front of Llnák'a cabin, foetus aoetin« to Bruoe'a ilruo«'» excited emttod umurlnatlon tn waiting for what the night would calm." hla, and for a long second their wills be endeavoring to ooovry a nM«u*a«< bring forth. But at once she understood why he battled. And then a deep wonder TER XII.-—Bruce ts-Ui out tn "I know they’ll <x>mu tonight," Linda whs waiting. The flushes of lightning seemed to come over her. or a trapt** named iludooru e "What Is It!" she breathed, "What to the asmemeul between LJnda'e had said. “Tomorrow night there will offend no opportunity for an accurate infl Matthew rVdfwP* ba a moon, und though It won’t give shot Bruce meant to conserve his have you found out?" CILAPTHR XV.—Hudson und vwii much light. It will hurt their chances little supply of shells until the moment She spoke In a strange and distant the former's trapa. A wolr, cuu«ht In one, of succesa. Besides—they've found of utmost need. The clan drew nearer. voice. Slowly the fire died In her eyes, fedlL■<K)verod by tluj Killer. iMwturberi at feaet, tne brute rfrlkee down Hudson. I that their other plot—to kill you from They were riding slowly, with ready the drawn features relaxed, her hands Licet on hie way tn Hudaoru ahooai and ambush—isn't going to work." rifiea. And ever the storm Increased fell at her side. He drew her away wounds the Killer, driving him from hie — Victim .. ................ Hudson, — loaming ________ Jruo» Hruoe í ’ » s id»n Jden Bruce ntHlded and got up to examine i In fury. The thunder was so close frtsn the lighted doorway, out of the ty, tri«« n to Uli tell him ths the hldl hldlns pisco ot the shutter*«. He wuntetl no ray of that it no longer gave the Impression range of any of the Turners that is uyreni.nl. but daaln sminioni him. light to steel out into the growing of being merely sound. It was a veri should turn to answer the rifle fire. CIIAJ-nCK XVI Almon, tmneving Ilm.» darkness ami make a target. It wu» table explosion Just above thetr heads. The wind Toured over the bouse and known ---------------- now» where whore Uui the d< «{oeumani Io ---------------- conoaalod. - lay* plane to trap nlia a significant fact that the rifle did not The first drops of rain fell one by one swept by In clamoring fury, the elec occupy Its usual place behind the desk. on the roof. tric storm dimmed and lessened os It CllAPTEH XVIL-Deve deroya Undn Bruce’s eyes sought for Simon’s fig Journeyed on. Bruc«1 k«*i>t It in Ills hands us he mude and Aunt 133 ml re from thvtr home. The m&n in hu Ila Linda and is struck down the lnsis<cti<Hi. IAndii ha«l her empty ure. To Simon he owed the greatest Th.ne two knew that If death spared by th« nfed woman Kim I res son ba« pistol, knowing that It might—tn the debt. Had to luy Simon low might menn them In nil the long ¡»ussage of their t*en rhuro«»r*d by Tkive end at her com- maud, altar •ecureiy blndlnjr th* muyhap of circumstance be of old In to dishearten the whole clan. But al years, they could never forget that mo perado, Unde leave»« them ah»n< frightening an nssallnnt. Old Elmira though the uttackerB were In fair range ment. The girl watched him breath CHAPTER XVlII.-ILtumine. BrtKe now, scurcely two hundred yurts lessly, oblivious to all things else. He flnde u note, ppMiuinribly from IJ im I h , tell- sat beside the tire, h«T stiff lingers busy away, hu could not Identify him. They wviii.d wholly unaware of her now. Inw him she hiui tHH«n kidnap««! by ths nt ti ph»x* of sewing Tumera "You know—" Bruce said to her, drew closer He raised his gun. wait There was something aloof. Impassive, "that we are expecting an attuck to ing for a chance to flru And nt that Infinitely calm at>out him, and a greet, ClpUTiat JLJX.-Bruce fnlte Into HI nion’s trap, and is made prteoner. Instant a resistless force hurled him far-reaching understanding was In hl» night?” Th«- woman nodded, but didn't miss to the floor. eyes. Her own eyes suddenly filled (1LAPTl?H XX. -fhandnw Bruce with attempting to reopen the wood feud, tin There was the sense of vast catas with tears. n stitch. No gleam of Interest mine . jm. afur a mock ni ti. ' i i ■ Into li«-r eyes. Bniw's gaze fell to trophe, a great risking and shudder- i “Linda, there's something cmue to him, bound In a pasture on the «¡«’t where the Killer had slain und half <«iten her work basket, mid »«»nettling gilt- Ing that was loot In billowing waves of me—und I don't know that I can make a calf ths nirfht before. They look for tensl from its deptK Evidently Elmira sound; and then a frantic effort to re you understand. 1 ran only call It the return of the gTlasly and the probable alaylnf of Bruce ny the itnlm*} timl regulin'd her knlte call his wandering faculties. A blind strength—u new strength and a great CnAPTTR Xin.-A rtfwnnc «TVstv lie went buck to his chair braids ing light cut the ilarknees In twain; er strength thun I ever had before. ftnown mi the Killer« b the terror or Us l.lndii, uml th«> two sat listening, Tli.j It smote tils eyeballs us it with u phys It’s something thut the pirn—that Vicinity, be a use of hla siaa and ferocity had lie« er known n more quiet night. ical blow; uml sunummtng all hla pow great trre that we just saw spilt open CJLAPTl’It XIV Dive Turner, eent by They listened In vain for the little era of will ho sprung to his feet. —ha» been trying to tell me for u long thnion, br:t»es lludeon to swear falsely night soumls that usually com«* Ktetil There was only darkness at first; time, oh, can't you see, Linda? There Concernlmc the agreement. If brou<bt to lltfht. he knowing Its whereabout* Ing. so husiKsi mid tremulous, from th«* und he did im < understand. But It It stiHsi, hundreds of years—•) great, foreet. Ami they both stnrtisi, ever so wax HCHrrvty h»HR duration than the so tall, so wise—In a moment broken CHATTT.H XXI hHohw* ewalte slight ly. when they hear«! u distant flash of lightning. A red Ibuiir sud like u reed. It takes away my urro- arHval o< the KJ^k r mid death. rumble of thunder. ilciily h*ai>ed luft» tin* air. rtmred end gance. Linda. It makes me see myself nfAPTI'H XXU Htmon mukas LJnda "It’s going to storiii,' l.lmla told grew and apread as if ecuttvrvtl by th«* a» I really am. And that means— an offer ‘i tuari lHM«- 4’ho girl r» rum s, Itll'nrf him wh« lovts Bruce Eniiu.'l, w tud Itntdf. And Bruce*» breath caught Power." him brutally strike« her, end leaves "Yira In u sob of wonder | h con rid« lit he will *fo to Proc», Ills eyes tiluzed. and he caught her foltowe him Vi .ml bi Tin- Sentinel l'In«, that undent hands In his. "Aitilo frb-nd und ixams^-lor that stood not "It was a symbol. Linda, not only too --ver «»a» hundred fret from the house, of the wllderue- but of powt-rs higher nicy minute huil Is'eti struck by a lightning bolt. and greater thun the wilderness. then th. It W IlH Its trunk hiul been cleft <u«en ns tf by Powers that ctin -k down, and uot Immeasurably an If It n glunt’s ax, and the flume was iilreadi be swept away by passion, and not rr$ TOASTED had leaped t< springing through Its bulsiini laden try to tear to pie« cs those who In their durkm-s' Will bninchcw. folly harm then. There’s no room for OHO extra prooe minute that It such things as vengeance In this new whloh Qlvx of the ound CHAPTER XXVII strength. There's uo room for mur d«»l I o J ous flavor bearti It h th' der, und malice, and hatre«' and blood- Bruce stood us If entranced, gazing sh«»l ' with iiwed fnev ut the flaming tree Linda undereteiul. She knew that this Then- was II new-found strength did nut mean re If cutetill nunciation of her •• hub It did uot no an CTHAPT' XMAS Harne will iiud erm ¡»mMa thaiui. * FS-Æfc -31.7.3t' CM K A RIJ1 PAPER STORE Bruce’s Face And the Triumph Changed to a Singular Look of Won- der. ink. Then be looked up with brighten ing eyes. "What Is III" she asked. "The secret agreement between your futher und mine,” be told her simply. “And we’ve won." He watched her eyes brighten. It seemed to him that nothing life hud ever offered hud given him the same pleasure. It was a moment of triumph. But before half of its long seconds were gone. It became u moment of despair. A rifle spoke from the coverts be yond—one sharp, angry note that rose distinct and penetrating above the noise of the distant thunder. A little tongue of tire darted, like a snake’s head. In the darkness And the tri umph on Bruce's fuce changed to a singular look of wonder CHAPTER XXVII To Sliuou, the night hud seemingly ended in triumph, after all It hud looked durk for a while. Th«1 bolt if llghtidng, retting tire to the pine, had deranged nil of hl» plans. Ills men hiel been throwu from their horses, the blazing pine tree had left them exposed to tire from the house, and they had not yet caught their mounts und nilll«»l. Young BUI and himself, however, laid tie<l their horses before the lightning hud struck and had lln gered In the thickets in f bouse for just been given th«1!! lie had not hud not op«-! Turners, lie wondere«) if M j , enemj were out of ammunition. Th«1 tri of the Sentinel Pine .md had no i Ing for him ; und he hu 1 h. Id hb ox-ked und ready for the Instunt Bruce had shown himself. Young Bill hud hear.l his llttl, ultant gnat* when Lit, cotue <> they h„ to him h.i.l 1 that if vertg* of the p«o the sphere 1 with Are long sinew. id straight an«) unflinching to Judge, not to oxidenin, not tc re sect ; this was tru» Htrength. *T km*»',” the ».ri said, har ICvatlnued on - Hl C. L LEWIS COMPANY tlwci i tile’s ami make your selection Conic atte*0* fletó