Adventure Magazine, Mid-September 1917 — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

Gaston Olaf and Big Business saw that the look in Ethel Drake’s eyes that he had hoped to awaken there was for Gaston Olaf. Loomis and Gaston remained behind when the others left. Gaston looked in the direction Ethel had gone and remarked: “‘This is one of a place for a girl like that.” “I know it,” replied Loomis. ‘“That’s why I came along.” ‘‘Why did her brother bring her North?” — “Drake is ambitious for himself and for Ethel.” “How about you?” blurted Gaston. “T’ve got eight hundred dollars in the bank, my job with Bradley and a sense of humor. I had to come North—when I heard Ethel was going with Ray to where Bradley is.” “Hm, bad as that, eh,”’ muttered Gaston Olaf. Then when Loomis had gone: “You fool, why didn’t you win her before she came North!” Gaston had promised to make the syndicate’s order the first to go through the mill. Crowley, the store keeper, had extended him credit for provisions and tools to run the camp through the Winter. VII wae l'S coming now, Tom Pine,” e{ Gaston said when he reached the || mill landing. ‘‘The old fighting devils are beginning to sing inside me, and that’s always a sign that trouble’s coming. I feel it, like a fellow feels a storm coming by the stillness in the bush. It’s still now, and something’s going t break out soon.” 7 : ‘“‘Something’s happened, Gaston Olaf?” ‘‘Something’s happened. When a man like Bradley goes white to look at you— well, what do you think?” ‘‘When’d he do this?” The young man described the scene at the rapids and old Tom scratched his grizzled head. “‘Gaston Olaf, d’you know what? I think that if Bradley didn’t suspect that you had a soft spot for that girl we wouldn’t have any trouble with him at all.” Gaston shook his head, grinning. “Bradley and I are just natural born competitors. Not for the girl particularly, but for everything. The girl’s nothing to me; nothing counts with me now except this job. But Bradley, he’s a lot to me; he’s my best little enemy.”’ He stamped up and down the landing, shaking the water from his soaked clothes. “My natural born enemy, Tom, and a darn fine piece of a he-man he is, too. Bradley and I are running at each other head on. We’ve been doing it ever since we met. A smash is coming, and Heaven help the loser!” 87 Success was an apparent certainty. One day a bad log jam occurred in the river. Gaston would not allow his men to tackle it—it was too risky. But he himself ran to the center of the lock and began chopping. The mass trembled. “Take a run, boss, she’s busting!’ came from the shore. Gaston smiled and drove the ax home. Witha sudden roar the great mass tipped forward. Gas- ton leaped up the face of the jam, reaching the top before the falling logs could hurl him into the water. He tridmphantly rode the top logs ashore. A cheer greeted him. Ethel Drake was in the crowd. “Splendid! Splendid!” she called. Gaston looked from her to Bradley. The mining man’s face was pale and as hard as stone. His eyes were cold with hatred. “And it was just play for him,’ woman’s voice—Ada Adair’s. She nodded and smiled as Gaston’s eyes met hers. He did not say a word but sprang upon the moving logs and went out of sight down the river. ’> came another ‘“‘He’s a business man,”’ growled Tom. “So am I. I’ll go soft and foxy. He’s got to make the first move. And I make a guess, Bradley being the man he is, and acting like he’s done today, we won’t have to wait long before some move comes.”’ The accuracy of this prophecy was soon demonstrated. Shortly after noon the next day there came to the mill a messenger bearing a note from Bradley. Gaston’s lips stiffened as he read: My dear Mr. Thorson: I have a business proposition to make to you. It will be to yotr profit. Can you step over to my office today? Am busy, or I would wait on you. BRADLEY. “Wants you to come to him, eh?” snapped Tom. ‘Well, I guess your time is worth as much to you as his isto him. Tell him to come see you or take a jump in the lake for himself.” “Nay, nay, Tom. ‘Try to be a business man, no matter how painful. Can’t you see how nice and polite Bradley’s note is? That’s business—speak polite and hide the knife up your sleeve. Seeing that we’re business men now we follow suit and I’m going over and be just as nice and polite to him as if I was a lumber company robbing a settler of his land. And, besides, if I didn’t go he might get the notion that I was afraid.”’ ‘That being the case, of course you’ve got to go?” “Of course,” laughed Gaston, and saun- tered after the messenger. He whistled as he walked along, and when COmicloo 5}