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
-
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