Adventure, August 1917 — page 55: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Northwoman “She went to warn Searles that Fleenor had sent Louis out to kill him,” he said. “But Searles isn’t at his camp!’ ex- claimed Mrs. Knox. ‘He came up and asked for Joan soon after you left and then he went to the lake with that guide of his and paddled off toward the north.” | ‘Where Louis will go next,”’ commented Stanton absently. ‘‘And where I sent him this morning in my note!”’ cried Joan. At the words, the first she had been able to utter since she had heard of Searles’s dan- ger, Stanton turned to look at her. One glance at the girl’s face cleared his brain, robbed him of the primitive, triumphant ecstasy of his victory and brought him to the normal, to the relationships that had been. In his imagination he could already see the breed, his rifle ready, sneaking up behind Wallace Searles. And he knew the result would not only be the treacherous death of an unsuspecting man but the end of happiness for the girl he loved. Tre- mendous as it was, the effort must be made. “Come,” he said simply to Joan. “We must save him.” Joan, on her feet instantly, started toward the door. But Mrs. Knox held her back. “Wait,” she said. ‘Neither of you is in any condition to go anywhere. Think what you are doing. Look at Stanton, all bruised, and that splinter sticking in his shoulder. And you, girl, you’re white as a sheet.” Stanton looked around at the piece of chair leg that stuck straight up beside his ear. With a sudden motion he jerked it out, and the quick flow of blood widened the red stain on his shirt. “We're all right, aunty,” he declared confidently. “TI look a lot worse than I feel and Joan is only stiff and sore from being tied up so long. You watch Fleenor. Hf he shows signs of coming to, tie him up until I get back. Don’t let him get his hands on a thing. Remember, he’s the wolf you’ve always called him.” “But it’s pure madness,” persisted Mrs. Knox. “Joan may be able to paddle but Stanton is not. And have you thought, Stanton, what would happen to Joan if you gave out? Louis sober is treacherous and Louis drunk is dangerous. and must take care of himself.”’ ‘But Joan, carrying the rifle, had already gone through the door and was walking swiftly down to the beach. Stanton Searles is 2 man . 33 watched her for a moment and then started to follow. “Stan,’”’ whispered Mrs. Knox tenderly. “Is it worth it? I know, boy. I have always known. My heart has ached but I could do nothing. Let Searles take care of himself. You are in no condition to battle for him. You have no right to risk your- self this way. The Northland needs you. Joan needs you. She’s young. This man from the outside has just been a glittering dream. She belongs to you, always has be- longed to you. And perhaps things have come out this way so that she may find out her mistake before it is too late.” She laid her hand on his arm and looked up into his face as she spoke. And as she felt his body tremble and saw the deter- mined lines fade from around his blood- stained swollen mouth, her grip tightened. “Don’t go, boy,” she pleaded. ‘‘You’re hurt. IT know.” “Aunty!” cried Stanton, suddenly break- ing away and starting toward the door. “Don’t talk that way. Itisn’t right. Hap- piness can’t be gained that way. I’ve got to go. If it is the last thing I ever do I’ve got to do what I can to save him.” He ran out of the door and after Joan, who had slid a canoe into the water and stood waiting for him. CHAPTER XVI THE RACE “Ru why should Louis kill Wallace?” asked Joan as she and Stanton shoved out from shore and began to paddle from the bay into the main lake. “‘Haven’t had time to tell you before,” began Stanton. “But this whisky business is at the bottom of it all. I guess you saw it before I did Joan, but after you left this morning I got to thinking about what you had said. And I’ve found out what it is. It’s hashish, an Oriental drug. It can be smoked in tobacco or infused in water or chewed. It intoxicates, causes hallucina- tions and transports the user into ecstasy or lulls him to sleep. The Indians have been using it and Fleenor has been selling it to them in those little blue bags.” “But what had Wallace to do with that?” interrupted Joan. “Fleenor sent Louis to blow out a hole CoOMmiclsoo Joan will be happy here with you. © S|