Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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f 1?7-1 m CA Ipxv? UUIll j1..' 7.-t;>. 7VJb IaTI y- ' Tv' ^ ^ "TUB PBV?I cxzr*Y7ZJ<s>j^rr jnr i ' SYNOPSIS. CHAPTER 1. ? Frederick Cavendish, I New Tork man of wealth, receives a let- ! tar from an old friend, Jim Westcott, i urging him to come at once to Colorado. Deciding to go, he employs a lawyer, : Patrick Enrlght, to draw up a will leav- i , Ing most of nls estate to charity, with a i mere pittance to John Cavendish, his 1 nephew and only relative, a dissolute youth. That night Fredenck Cavendish Is murdered In his apartments. No will being found, John Cavendish Inherits the stats. CHAPTER n.?Two months later Enrlght Informs John Cavendish of the ex- . lstence of the will, and offers, for 9100,000, to say. nothing of It John agrees. Stella Donovan, newspaper writer, learns from 1 Frederick Cavendish's valet that he Is not satisfied the body found was that of his employer. She Is directed by Farrlss, city editor, of the Star, to follow up < the case. 1 CHAPTER III. J v. On the Track of a Crime. i In the city room of the Star, Farrlss, the rlty editor, sat back In his swivel chair smoking a farewell pipe pre- | paratory to going home. His thoughts ( were suddenly interrupted by a clatter of footsteps, and, slapping Ills feet to the floor, he turned to confront Wlllfa | and Miss Donovan. I ] Miss Donovan smiled at him. "Great I luck I We've got something; and we ' all week to get it." "Well, for Pete's sake, shoot I" d? manded Farrlss. "Cavendish, I sup* pose?" The two nodded. Their eyes were alight with enthusiasm. "In the flrst place," said the girl, j with irrn vo om nh oole GI3*?wwlAwl/?V 1 ...... v viti|yiiuoio, 4 ^VSVJJL *V, IX | Cavendish did not die intestate as sup- , posed. He left a will." Farri8s blinked. "That's Interesting. ' There was no evidence of that before." "I got that from the servants of the College club," Willis Interposed. "The will was drawn the night before the murder. And the man that drew j It was Patrick Enrlght, of Enrlght and Dougherty. Cavendish took away a copy of it in his pocket. And, Mr. : Farriss, I got something else, too? < Enrlght and young John Cavendish are in communication further. I saw ; Mm leaving jTnrlght's office all excited. Following my hunch, I oultlvated Miss ' Healy, Knrlght's stenographer, and 1 learned that the two had an alterca- j Hon and that it was evidently over pome document." | Stella Donovan began speaking now: j Celeste La Rue, the blonde of the Revue, has got some kind of hold on John Cavendish. It lsn^t love, either; It's something stronger. He jumps when she holds the hoop." "La Rue's mixed up In this deeply, too," Willis cut In. 'iWhlle she was playing with young Cavendish and j seeing him almost dally, the lovely ( Celeste was also in communication with?guess who!" , "Enright?" Farrlss ventured. ( "Exactly?Enright," he concluded, lighting his half-smoked cigarette. "Well," the city editor tapped his desk; "you two have done pretty well, f so far. You've got considerable dope. ,, Now, what do you make of It?" I "It may be a dream," Willis said, smiling, "but here is the way I stack j It up. The night after he quarreled t with John, Frederick Cavendish called f In Enright and made a will, presum- t ably cutting John ofT with practically . nothing. "Immediately after Frederick's de- parture, Enright calls Carlton's cafe and talks to John. Cavendish, who had been dining there with Celeste La Rue. * It Is reasonable to suppose that he told him of the will. Less than Ave * hours afterward Frederick Cavendish Is found dead In his apartments. Again It Is reasonable to suppose that 8 he was croaked by John Cavendish, who wanted to destroy the will so that c be could claim the estate. * "The dead man is burled, and John starts spending money like water. J One month later he receives a letter asking him to call at Enrlght's office. r "What happened there Is probably this: Young Cavendish was informed I 8 of the existence of the will, and It was . * offered to him at a price which ho * I The Best Familv Rem Because |it work remedies hare cea Is Li / ^ I Chesterfield L I'D. H. DOUGLASS, President g W. J. DOUGLASS, Vice- Pres. I - ALSO FIRE, ACCIDENT, HI B INSUF 5w? I kNGEfe sm m roisijf nuMS&wm ml north"*^ EH/VZX^C. JZUGJGSvSJY A couldn't refuse to pay?Just then. "Perhaps he was frightened into signing a promise to pay as soon as he came Into the estate?tricked by Kn right. John Cavendish may be Innocent, or he may be guilty, but one thing Is certain?he's being badgered to death by two people,, from what little we know. One of them is the La Rue woman; the other Is Enrlght." Farrlss sat reflecting deeply, chewing the stem of his dead pipe. "There's one thing that conflicts with your hypothesis. Valols' statement that he was almost positive that the dfead man was not Cavendish." "I now believe Valols Is mistaken, In view of developments." said Willi* with finality. "So does Stella?Miss Donovan, I mean. Remember the body was charred across the fnce and chest?and Valols was excited.'* Farrlss was silent a moment. "Stick to It a while longer," he rapped out; "and get La Rue and Cavendish together at their meeting-place, If you can discover It." "We can 1" Interjected Willis. "It's Stelnway's cafe, the place where the police picked up Frisco Danny and 'La Ruel" Whispered Willie to MIm Donovan. Vlad Mike Melglian two years ago. I followed them, but could not get near ?nough to hear what they said." "Then hop to it," Farriss rejoined. 'Stick around there until sou get something deeper. As for me?Tm going home. It's two o'clock." I It was the second night after Farrlaa lad f;Ive:i them his instructions that Ulss Donovan and Willis, sitting la too last darkened booth In StelnwajH are, were rewarded for their vigil. Is they sat toying with their food, heir eyes commanding the entire oora, they saw a woman swing Into he cafe entrance and enter the booth llrectly ahead of them. "La Rue!" whispered Willis to Miss )onovan. Ten minutes later a young man ntered the cafe, swept it quickly with ds eyes, then made directly for the >nclosure occupied by his Inamorata. ?he man was Cavendish. In the booth behind, Miss Donovan ind Willis were all attention, their' ;ars straiqpd to catch the wisps of *>nversat!on that eddied over the low mrtitlon. "Well, Tm here." It was John's rolce, an Ill-humored voice, too. "But his Is the last time, Celeste. These uetfi INK" tire uuu^ruiiH. "Yes?when you talk ?o loud." Her 10ft voice scarcely reached the llsten?rs. "But this time there was a good eason." She laughed. "You didn't hlnk It was love, did vou. dearv?" ledy \ ? when all other seel to work fe Insurance i ioan 8 Ins. Co. C. C. DOUGLASS, Sec'y A Mgr. GEO. W. EDD1NS, Treasurer. SALTH, HML, LIVE STOCK T IftnjiT Mm\i hmmi r I p I mm 1 L L. , .1.. ' 'JW "Ota. cot that out!" "disgustedly. "You want mora money. I suppose." "Well, of course," her soice hardening. "Naturally I feel that I should share In jour good fortune.' But the amount I want now, and moat have to-night?to-night, John Cavendish?la not altogether for myself. I've heard from the West." "My GodJ Has he been located?" "Tea, and la safe for the present. Here, read this telegram. If a not very clear, but Beaton wants money and agks me to bring It." "You? Why does he need you?" "Lack of nerve, I guess; he's out of his element In that country. If It was the Bowery he'd do this sort of job better. Anyhow, I'm going, and I want a roll. We can't either of us afford to lie down now." Cavendish half smothered an oath. , "How much do you want?" "Ten thousand. I'm willing enough to split fifty-fifty. This Colorado Job Is getting to be expensive, deary. I wouldn't dare draw on you through the banks." In the back booth Willis muttered: "uaa, things are going great** Then he bent his ear to sedulous attention and again he could hear the voice of Cavendish. "You've got to tell me what you're going to do with the money," it said. I The La Rue woman's answer could not be heard; evidently It was a whispered one, and therefore of utmost Importance. Came a pause, a clink of J glasses, and then a few straggling words filtered over the partition. "But If the man should talk!" "Forget It! Ned Beaton Is an oyster. Besides, I've got the screws on him. Come on, Johnnie boy, don't be1 a fool. We are In this game and must play It out. It hns been safe enough so far, and I know what I am doing now. You've got too much at stake to i haggle over a few thousand, when the money has come to you as easily as this has. Do I get the money?" He must have acceded, for his voice no longer rose to a high pitch. Presi ently, when the orchestra began playi lng again. Miss Donovan and Willis Judged the pair were giving their attention to the dinner. Finally, after an hour had passed^ Cavendish emerged from the booth, went to the checkroom, and hurriedly left the cafe. Waiting only long enough to satisfy herself that Cavendish .was gone, Celeste La Rue herself the booth and paused for a moment beside Its bamboo curtains. Then turning suddenly, she made her way, not toward the exit of the cafe, but to another small booth near the checkroom, and Into this she disappeared. But before she hod started this short lourney, a yellow piece of paper, closely folded, slipped from her belt where It had been tucked. "It's the telegram 1 The one of which they >were speaking," Miss Donovan's voice whispered dramatically as her eyes swept the tiny clue within their ambit. At her words Willis was out of thfl booth. As Miss Donovan watched, she j saw him paks by the folded evidence. What was wrong? But, no?suddenly she saw his handkerchief drop, saw him an Instant later turn and pick It up, and with It the telegram. Dlsappea ring In the direction of the men's room, he returned a moment later, paid the check, and with Miss Donovan on his arm left the cafe. Outside, and three blocks away from Stetnway's, they paused under an are light, and with shaking hands Wlllla showed her the message. There, In thn flickering rays, the girl read lta torn and yet enlightening message: "lorado, May 19, 1915* "him safe. Report and collect, come with roll Monday sure ' e seen papers. Remember Haskell. "NED." "It's terribly cryptic, Jerry," she Mid to the other, "bnt two things we know from It." "One Is that La Rue's going to blow the burg some day?soon." "The other, that 'Ned,' Is Ned Beaton, the man mentioned back there In Stelnwny's. Whatever his connection Is, we don't know. I think we had better go to Farrlss, don't youT* "A good hunch," Willis replied, taking her arm. In their enthusiasm they upset tfca custom of the office and broke |pto Fnrrlss' fullest hour. Into his Impatient ears they dinned the story of what they had Just learned, ending up -bypassing hltn the telegram. For a mere instant he glanced at 1 them, then his lips began to move. "Beaton ? Ned ? Ned Beaton ? Ned Beaton," be mused, and then sat boll upright in his chair, while he banged the desk with a round, hard flat "xou've ran across something. i ki.^w that name. I know the man. Ned Beaton is a 'gun,' and he pulled his first Job when I was doing 'police* In Fhifadelphia for the Record. Well, well, my children, this is splendid! And what next?" "But, Mr. Farriss, where Is he?" put in Stella Donovan. "Where was the message sent from? Colorado, yes, but where in Colorado? That's the thing to find out." "I thought it might be the last word m the message?Haskell," ventured Willis. Farriss, seizing an atlas, thumbed It until he found a map of Colorado. Together the three pored over It. "There it is 1" Stella Donovan cried suddenly. "Down toward the bottom. Looks like desert country." "Pretty dry place for Celeste," laughed Willis. "I might call her up and kid her about it if? " Farrlss looked at him sourly. "You mlfrht Ret a raise In salary," he Dapped sharply, "If you'd keep your mind on the Job. What you can do Is Mil up, say you're the detective bateau, and ask carelessly about Beaton, fhat'll throw a scare Into her. You've |ot her number?" "Riverside 7688," Willis said In a businesslike voice. A. F. DAVIS MARKET The Fiaeat Fresh Meats The Best Faacy Groceries High Grade Canned Goods Th? Bm( of Everything for tko TofaU He disappeared Into the clattering local room, to return a moment later white of face, bright of eye, and with Hps parted. "What's the dope?" Farrlss shot at him. "Nothing!" cried the excited young man* "Nothing except that fifteen minutes ago Celeste La Rue kissed the Beecher apartments good-by and. with #Plinlr mi# a. la ?. u..|/UI1 MUU ?WIUUI U9II| ucal II. I "To Haskell," added the city edl-' tor, "or my hair Is pink. And bj | heaven, I believe there's a story there ; What's more, I believe we can get It It's blind chance, but we'll take It." "Let Mr. Willi*?'" began Miss Dono ran. "Mind your own business, Stella,* commanded Farrlss, "and see that four hat's on straight. Because within half an hour you're going to dra* on the night cashier for five hundred dollars and pack your little portmanteau for Haskell. Work guardedly; j query us when you have to; be sun of your facts, and consign your soul to God. Do I see you moving?" And when Farrlss looked again h4 did. CHAPTER IV. Mis* Donovan Arrive*. When the long overland trail I paused a moment before the anctenl box car that served as the depot foi the town of Haskell, nestled In tin nlch half a mile away, it deposited ( Miss Donovan almost In the arms ol Carson, the station agent, and he wary of the wiles of women and th< ethics of society, promptly turned hei over to Jim Westcott, who had conn down to Inquire If the station agent held a telegram for him?a telegram that he expected from the East. "She oughtn't to hike to the Tim raons house alone, Jim," Carson said "This yere Is pay day up at the bl| mines, an' the boys are havln' a h? of a time." In view of this disclosure, MIsi | Donovan welcomed the courteoui. acquiescence of Westcott, whom sh?! Judged to be a man of thirty-one, with j force and character?these written la 1 the lines of his big body and hi! square, kind face. ' "I'm Miss Stella Donovan of New York," she said directly. "And I," he returned, with hat off la the deepening gloom, "am Jim Westcott, who plugs away at a mlnln| claim over yonder." "There!" laughed the girl frankly "We're introduced. And I suppose w? can start for the Tlmmons house." As her words trailed off there cam* I i the sound of yelling, sharp cries and revolver shots from the gulch be low where lights twinkled faintly. Laughing Warmly, Westcott picked | up her valise, threw a "So-long" t< "Tho Drunken Fool," He Muttered Quietly. Carson, and with Miss Donovan close behind him, began making for the distant lights of the Timmons house. As they followed the road, which paralleled a whispering stream, the girl began to draw him oat skilfully, and was amazed to bnd that for all of his rongh appearance he was excellently educated and a gentleman of taste. Finally the reason came out. 'Tm a college man," he explained proudly. "So was my partner?same class. But one can't always remain In the admirable East, and three years ago he and I came here prospecting. Actually struck some pay-dirt In the hills yonder, too, but It sort of petered out on us. It was broken In two by some upheaval of nature. We were still trying to find It when my partner's father died and he went East to claim the fortune that was left. I struck the vein again?when my last dollar was gone. That was a month ngo. I wired ray old partner for help, but?" lie stopped, listening Intently. They were nearing a small bridge over Bear creek, the sounds of Haskell's revelers growing nearer and louder. Suddenly they heard an oath and a shot, and the next moment a txrllH U-1.1? - ? ? tt..u iiuci , in.-iiiniK a luuiiiuiK Horse with a stinging quirt, was upon them. Westcott barely had time to swing the jirl to safety as the tornado flew past. "The drqnken fool!" he muttered guletly. "A puncher riding for camp. There will be more up ahead probably." His little act of heroism drew the man strangely near to Miss Donovan, and as they hurried along in the silent night she felt that above all he was dependable, as If, too, she had known him months, aye years, instead of a scant hour. And in this strange country she needed a friend. To prevent t cold take 666. 8 GASOLINESYSTEMS Oil Tanks and Pumps, Air Compressors, Computing Scales t^I ? rt * ? FlttttP Show Cases, Ac count Registers, Rebuilt Cash 1 Registers. Safes, Store Fixtures. HAMILTON SALES CCT gggH3gaggBBggBggg??MMMiMM???? "Now that I re laid bare my past." be was savlnr. "rtnn't inn ?kini. _ w VT * j vu luiua /UU might tell me why ydu are here?" The girl stiffened. To say thnt she was from the New York Star would close many avenues of Information to her. No. the thing to do was to adopt some "stall" that would enable her to Idle about as much as she chose. Then the mad horseman gave her the Idea. "Oh!" she exclaimed, "I forgot I hadn't mentioned It. I'm assigned by Scribbler's Magazine to do an article on 'The Old West, Is It Really Clone?' and, Mr. Westcott, I think I have a lovely start." A few moments Inter she thanked Providence for her precaution, for her companion resumed the story of his mining claim. "It's might funny I haven't heard from that partner. It isn't like him not to answer ray wire. Thn?'? . J^V4 u, JL UUU i OCC VTIIJ a U'K boob like you should need a guardian. The lady? Pardon me, madam," and he touched his hat. "Stand back there, you fellows. Come on, folks 1" The little marshal knew his business, and It was also evident that the crowd knew the little marshal. Drunk and quarrelsome as many of them were, they made way?the more obstreperous sullenly, but- the majority In a spirit of rough good humor. The three passed straight through the surging mass In the man-crowded lobby of the disreputable hotel. At the desk, wide-eyed with excitement, Miss Donovan took a service, worn pen proffered by landlord Pete Timmons, whose gray whiskers were as unkempt as his hotel, and registered her name. "A telegram came today for you, ma'am," Peter said In a cracked voice, and tossed It over. Miss Donovan tore It open. It was from Farrls8. It read: "If any clues, advise Ithmedlntely. Willis digging hard. Letter of Instruction follows. FARRIS." The girl folded the message, thrust 1 4 _ U J - - - ii in imr jbckci iHK-cer, men turning to the marshal and Westcott, gave each a firm hand. "You've both been more than kind," she said gratefully. "II , ma'am," Dan deprecated, "that warn't notliln' 1" And he hurried Into the street as loud cries sounded outside. "Good-night, Miss Donovan," Westcott said simply. "If you are ever frightened or In need of a friend, call on me. I'll be In town two days yet, and after that Pete here can get word to me." Then, with an admiring, honest gaze, he searched her eyes a moment before he turned and strolled toward the rude cigar case. "All right, iow, ma'am?" Pete Tlmmons said, picking up her valise. The girl nodded, and together they went up the rude stairs to her room, where TImmons paused at the door. "Well, I'm glad you're here," he said, moving away. "We've been waitIn' for you to show. I may he wrong, ma'am, but I'd bet my belt thut you're the lady that's been expected by Ned Benton." "You're mistaken," she replied shortly. As she heard him clatter down the stairs Miss Stella Donovan of the New York Star knew that her visit would not be in vain. The miner waited, leaning against the desk. Tlmmons came down the stairs, eager to ask questions. "Lady friend o' yours, Jim?" he aRked. "If I'd a knowed she wus comln' I'd a saved a better room." "I have never seen her until tonlftht, Pete. She got off the train and Carson asked me to escort her uptown?it wan Hn, you Know. "What do you suppose she's come yere for?" "Not the slightest Idea; I take It that's her business." "Sure; but a feller can't help wonderin', can he? Donovan," he mused, peering at the name; "that's Irish, I take it?hey r' "Suspiciously so; you are some detective, Pete. I'll give you another clue?her eyes are Irish gray." * He sauntered across to ^tke stove. I've waited every night at the depot. No, It's not like 'Pep,' even If he does tqke his leisure at the College club." Miss Donovan's bpine tingled at the mention of the name. "Pep," she murmured, trying to be calm. "What was his other name?" "Cavendish," . Westcott repllmJ. "Frederick Cavendish.' A gasp almost escaped the girl's lips. Here, within an hour, she had linked the many eastern clues of the CavemHsh affair with one In the West. Was ever a girl so lucky? And Immediately her brain began to work furlously as she walked along. A sudden turn about the base of a large clIfT brought them to Haskell, a single street running up the broadening valley, lined mostly with shacks, although a few more pretentious buildings were scattered here and there, while an occasional tent flapped Its discolored canvas in the nlglit wind. TllPV WPnt fnnror/l * , .m,iu, iicaniiii wmi'llful and silent, the valise In one hand, the other grasping her arm. The narrow stretch of sidewalk was Jammed with men, surging In and out through the open "door of a saloon, and the two held to the middle of the road, which was lined with horses tied to long poles. Men reeled out into the street, and occasionally the sharp crack of some frolicsome revolver punctuated the hoarse shouts and bursts of drunken laughter. No other woman was visible, yet. apparently, no particular attention was paid to their progress. But the stream of men thickened perceptibly, until Westcott wns obliged to shouldeh them aside good-humoredly in order to open a ne reieuseu nor arm anu suddenly gripped the shoulder of a man passing. He was the town marshal. "Sny, Dan. I reckon this Is your busy night, but I wish y#u'd help me run this lady through as far as Thnmons; this hunch of longhorns appear to he milling, und we're plum stalled." The mun turned and stared at them. Short, stocklly built, appearing at tlrst view almost grotesque under the broad brim of his hat, Stella, recognizing the marshal, was conscious only of a cleanshaven face, a square Jaw nnd a pair of stern blue eyes. "Oh, Is that you, Jim?" he asked, hrlaflv 4IT nrH T /Ion't * circling op from the bowl of his pipe. Some one opened thfe street door, letting In a babel of noise, and walked heavily across the office floor. Westcott turned about to observe the new comer. He was a burly, red-faced man, who had evidently been drinking heavily, yet was not greatly under the Influence of liquor, dressed In a checked suit of good cut and fashion, but hardly in the best of taste. He bore all the earmarks of a commercial traveler of a certain sort?a domineering personality, making up by sheer nerve what he might lack In bruins. But for his words the miner would have given the fellow no further thought. "Say, Tlmmons," he burst forth noisily, and striding over to the desk, "the marshal tells me a dame blew in from New York tonight?Is she registered here?" The landlord shoved the book forward. with one floorer nn the loot ol?r- i nature. "Yep," he said shortly, "but she ain't the one you wuz lookln' for?I asked her that, furst thing." "Stella Donovan?huh I That's no name ever I heard; what's she look like? Dark or light?" "Waal, sorter medlurh, I should say; brown hair with a bit o' red In It, an' a pair o' gray eyes full of fun?some girl, to my notion." The questioner struck his fist on the wood sharply. "Well, what the devil do yon suppose such a woman has come to this hole clenr from New York for, Tlmmons? What's her game, anyhow?" "Blessed If I know," and the proprietor seated himself on a high stool. "I didn't ask no questions like that; maybe the gent by the stove there might give yer all the Information yer [ I r^ll "MIm Donovan la a Lady." want He brought her up from the de- ] poo, an' kin talk English. Say, Jim, j this yere Is a shorthorn frum New York, named Beaton, an' he seems ter be powerfully interested In skirts? Beaton, Mr. Jim Westcott." The two men looked at enoh other, the miner stepping slightly forward, and knocking the ashes out of his pipe. Beuton laughed, assuming 9 1 ambiance of good nature. "My questions were prompted solely by curiosity," he explained, evidently not wholly at eaae. "I was expecting a young woman, and thought this new arrival might prove to be my friend." "Hardly," returned Westcott dryly. "As the landlord informed yon, Miss Donovan is a lady." If he expected this shot to take effect he was disappointed, for the grin never left Beaton's face. "Ah, a good Joke; a very good Joke, Indeed. But you misunderstand; this fa nHncrpthar a hnclnoaa r*vottae 'PHIo young woman whom I expect Is coming here on a mining deal?it la not a love affair at all, I assure you." "I thought possibly you might care to question me regarding my acquaintance with the young woman?" Westcott went on, his voice hardening slightly. "If so, I have not the slighW est objection to telling you that it consists entirely of acting as her escort from the station to the hotel. I do not know why she is here, how long she intends staying, or what her purpose may be.. Indeed, there is only one fact I do know which may be of Interest to you." Beaton, surprised by the language of the other, remained silent, his face turning purple, as a suspicion came to him that he was being made a fool of. "It is this, my friend?who she is, what she is, and why she happens to be here, is none of your d n buslnesfi And If vmi af\ mnnh on mnnHAn her name again In my presence you | are going to regret It to your dying day. That's all." Beaton, glancing about at the uplifted faces of the card players, chose to assume an air of Indifference, which scarcely accorded with the anger In his eyes. "Ah, come now," he blurted forth, "1 didn't mean anything; there's no harm done?let's have a drink, and be friends." . Westeott shook his head. "No, I think not," he said slowly. "I'm not much of a drinking man myself, and when I do I choose my own company. But let me tell you something Beaton, for your own good. I know your style, and you are mighty apt to get Into trouble out here If you use any Bowery tactics." "Bowery tactics!" "Yes; you claim to live In New York, and you possess all the earmarks of the East side bad man. There Is nothing keeping you now from roughjng It with me but the sight of this gun In my dcic, ana a suspicion in your mind that I may know how to use It. That suspicion Is correct. Now you go hack to your barroom, where you will And plenty of your own kind to associate with. It's going to be dangerous for you to hang around here any longer." ^Beaton felt the steady eyes upon him, but waa carrying enough liquor to mafeo him reckless. Ha stepped ?? "AH right, then," b? Mil, TD fog* the drink; yon can't bluff ni" .r3 Westcott'a knowledge of the dan lone brought to him the man's par J pose. Beaton's hand was In th? pocksl V of hla coat, and, as ha turned, appar .? ently to leare the room, the clott | uuigea. witn one leap forward th? J miner was at hla throat. There waa a report, a flash of flame, the apeedlni ;*: bullet striking the stovei and the next Instant Beaton, his hand still helpless ly Imprisoned within the coat pocket was hnrled back across a card table the players scattering to get oat of th< way. All the pent-op dislike in West cott's heart found expression In ac tion; the despicable trick wrought him | to a sudden fury, yet even then then , came to him no thought of killing tlx fellow, no memory even of the loaded gun at his hip. He wanted to choke him, strike him with hla hands. "You dlrty^coward," he muttered fiercely. "So you thought the pocket trick was a new one out here, did youl | Come, give the gun up I Oh I eo then is some fight left In youT Then left I settle it here." It was a strursrl* ?? ? ? *"? ? #! I strong men?the one desperate, unscrupulous, fcrutal; the other angef ' enough, but retaining self-control I i They crashed onto the floor, Weatcott still retaining the advantage of poefc? tlon, and twice he struck, driving Ul clenched flst home. 8uddenly he be came aware that some one had jerked his revolver from Its holster and, ah ? most at the same Instant a hard hr J gripped the neck-band of his 8htrf*?m tore him loose front Beaton. W "Here now?enough of that, Jim,*1 said a voice sternly, and his handf arose Instinctively as he recognised the gleam of two drawn weapons fronting him. "Help Beaton up. Joei Now, look ye*e, Mr. Bully Westcott," and the speaker shook his gun threateningly. "As It happens, you have t,;j Jumped on a friend o* ours, an* we naturally propose to take a hand la this gam??you know me 1" Westcott nodded, an unpleasanl smile on his lips. "I do. Lacy," he said coolly, "and that If there Is any dirty work golna on in this camp It Is quite probable you and your erann are In It Knm Ha. ten; you've got me covered, and thai Is my gun which Moore has in hit hand. I cannot fight you alone and unarmed; hut I can talk yet." "I reckon yer can. If that's goln' te? do yer eny good." "So the La Roslta Mining company Is ahout to be revived, Is It? Eastern capital becoming interested. I've heard rumors of that for a week past What's the Idea? Struck anything?" Lacy, u long, rnngy fellow, with a heavy mustache, and a scar ov^; one aye, partially concealed by his hat brim, grinned at the others as theugh at 9. good Joke. "No, nutbln' particular as yet" ha answered; "but you hev', an' I reckon thet's just about as good. Tryin' ter keep It dark, wasn't yer? Never even thought we'd caught on." "Oh, yes, I did; you flatter yourselves. I caught one of your stoolpigeons up the gulch yesterday, and more than ten days ago Moore and Edson made a trip Into my tunnel while I happened to be away; they forgot to hide their trail. I knew what you were up to, and you can alt of you look for a fight." "When your partner gets out here, I suppose," sneered Lacy. "He'll be here." "Qk will he? Well, he's a h of a \raBe coming. Yos wired him a month ago, and yer've written him twice since. Oh. I've got the cases on you all right. Westcott. I know you hnven't got a cent left to go on with, and nowhere to get any except through him." He laughed. "Ain't that right? Well, then, yer chances look mighty slim ter me Just at present, ol'-tlmer. However, there's no fight on yet; will yer behave yerself, an' let this man Beaton alone If I hand yer back yer gun?" "There Is no choice left me." "Sure; that's sensible enough; give it to him, Moore." He broke the chamber, shaking the cartridges out Into his palm; then handed the emptied weapon over to Westcott. His manner was purposely Insulting, but the latter stood with lips firmly set, realizing his position. "Now, then, go on over thar an' sit down," continued Lacy. "Maybe, if yer wait long enough, that partner o' yours might blow In. Come on, boys, let's liquor. Big Jim Westcott has his claws cut, and It's Beaton's turn to spend a little." )Vestcott sat quietly In the chair as th* filed out; then took the pipe from his pocket and filled It slowly. He realized his defeat, his helplessness, but his mind was already busy with the future. (To be continued) Rub-My-Tism cures bruises, cuts, burns, sores, tetter, etc. 8 FOR TORPID LIVER Tennessee Lumberman Talks of IBs Successful Use of Black-Draught for Colds and Headaches. Jamjstown, Tenn.?"I have used Thedford's Black-Draught for years, in fact It is the only liver medicine that does mo any good," says Mr. L. A. Ragan, a well-known lumberman of this place. "When I was single, I used it for headaches, and especially if I get a cold and feel feverish, I take a good dose of Black-Draught, and it sets me right. "Since I have been married, I have used it in my fgmily, and never have found its equal for torpid liver or disarranged stomach, especially with child red. I can recommend BlackDraught, and gladly do so." Kvery memoer or tne iamuy occasionally neods the assistance that Black-Draught can give. In helping to cleanae the system and Tellers or prorent the troubles that come from a lazy, torpid liver. If your liver Is not doing Its duty, you may suffer with headache, constipation, biliousness. Indigestion, etc. Unless relief is obtained, serious sickness may result In Its long and suo* , cessful use. Thedford's Black-Draught has been found in thousands of oaaea to relieve such disorders, by stlmulat*