ak
“JOE'S DEAD”
SYNOPSIS, — Looking over Blg
Muskeg, a seemingly impassable
swamp in the path of the Missa-
tibi rallroad, Joe Bostock, bullder
of the line, and Wilton Carruthers,
chief of engineers, are considering
the difficulties. A rifle shot instant-
ly kills Bostock and breaks Car-
ruthers’ arm. Carruthers tries to
carry the body to a post of the
Hudson's Bay company, where Mc-
Donald is the factor. McDonald's
daughter, Molly, sees Carruthers
struggling in the muskeg and drags
him from the swamp, with his bur-
den. Unaccountably, her father
objects to her saving Carruthers
Weakened by his wound and exer-
tions, Carruthers is disturbed by
the appearance of Tom Bowyer,
Bostock's business rival and per-
sonal enemy. Bowyer insults Mol-
ly, and Carruthers strikes him.
Carruthers declares his love for
Molly. She promises to be his wife
Carruthers has to reach the town
of Clayton to attend a meeting at
which Bostock's enemies plan to
wrest control of the Missatibi from
him. Molly goes with him. They
are delayed by a storm. Attacked
by his dogs, Carruthers’ life is
saved by Molly, who, is forced to
kill the animals. ““The snow, the
snow?’
CHAPTER V—Continued,
—
“I'm going on to Mayton. I'm feel-
ing better. No, listen, Molly! I didn't
tell you, but my arm was swollen from
the bandages. They had tightened and
stopped the circulation. I'm better
without them, I'm feeling stronger—
and the pain's less. We can go on.
We've got to go on.”
“Walk, WHI?
“We'll walk,” sald Wilton, rising
with great effort. The dying animals
had ceased to whimper, and stared at
him out of their glazing eyes. Outside
the snow was drifting down through
the leafless branches, but wind
was dying away. It was late In the
sifternoon, though no sign
came through the heavy,
<loud.
“We'll go on” Wilton.
And, going out of the shack, he un-
fastened the cord of the sleigh
held Joe's body, took it in
wounded hand,
“Will, it's impossible !™
“It may be. But I'll
face Kitty otherwise.”
the
not
but
up the hil
proved
Progress
night
And the nightmare of
Wilton's
with phantoms
scenes of the past,
was of them. It
ated horror to Molly.
At every cache, at
would stop, feeling the sheer impossi-
bility of going on, and sit huddled in
the
lowering
said
and his
try. I can't
{iver ew Snow
diff I
was their show
shoes,
80
in
the drag of the sleigh-rope
i corduroy
s and across the
a J rvs est $rrye
JiIMost it
infinite
infinites
down
was
came
brain, pe
and always Joe
drifting about them,
Yet always they went on again: un
til at last the never-ending night lifted
he snow ceased to fill: the
horizon was stregked with fire.
slowly Wilton a baek to full con-
scion
They
hill
they saw the sweetest sight that they
had ever seen. For far away was Clay
ton. over the plain, with its
streets and bare, new houses, and the
£aunt station buildings, roundhouses
and locomotive shops.
They were white as shrouded bodies,
snow
ISness
had tolled up
from his wounds and frozen.
then they can do what they like with
me, But it's you who
trick, girl of mine!”
But as he spoke he slipped to the
ground and leaned his shoulders
aguinst the sleigh,
“Seven miles yet, and the meeting's
at nine,” he sald. “I can't make It,
Molly. TI've tried. I've fallen short—
Just short. A little later, Molly, I'i—
try again. T'm going to--sleep In the
sunshine.”
Molly stooped over him, and it was
a harder thing than she had ever done
to try to drive the driven man fur-
ther. But she knew that having
staked all, Wilton would be content
with no less than the sacrifice of all,
“Remember Joe, dear,” she sald,
“and Kitty.”
He tried to rise to his feet, but could
mot. Wilton's mind was quite clear,
Hut his body, driven by his will, had
collapsed suddenly Illke a worn-out
horse, '
Three horsemen were riding over
the plain toward them. They watched
them In a dull apathy. Even Molly
hardly eared any more, except for Wil
ton.’ And he had done all that a man
could do,
As the men eame nearer it could be
wesn thut they were of the Mounted
or”
L
1 fl
Wh
1 7 |
ily \
ay,
ha
COPYRIGHT BY STEWART KIDD COMPANY
mA ——
Police. In the foremost Molly recog-
nized Quain, the Inspector who was
in command of the detachment at Clay-
ton.
The three trotted their horses up to
them, and, eatching sight of the coffin
upon the sleigh, the inspector dis.
mounted. He looked hard at Wilton,
and suddenly he recognized him,
“It's Will Carruthers!” he ex-
claimed, staring Into his face in bewll-
derment,
Wilton got up with an effort. “Morn-
ing, Jack,” he sald wearily, “Yes, it's
I. And here's Miss McDonald, You
know her, I think?”
The Inspector turned his puzzled
glance on the girl. Mechanically his
hand went up to his eap In salute,
sald
reac.
“And this is—was Joe Bostock,”
and all at once, In the
the tears streaming down his face, and
could hardly keep his lips steady,
“My God!" muttered Quain. “An ac-
“Shot!” shouted Wiliton.
sneaking dastard’s bullet in the bush
The bullet broke my
arm after it had passed through Joe's
and his blood and mine
together, It didn't need
for me to know that I'll" hound
murderer If It takes me to my dying
day I"
“Joe—Joe dead!" whispered Inspec-
tor Quain, half unable to realize It
Joe had been a very living personality
“And murdered!” he
were
that
Clayton.
added. Then:
“Where are your breeds ?™
! But they didn't shoot Joe,
That's a
Andersen
“Gone
either by design or aceldent.
story can learn from
at the half-way eache™
“That's where
sald Quain. “We're looking for
“And by the way.” sald Wilton with
fn mirthless Iz h,
you
for.”
we're hound
as the relative
fe rn
under arrest for having m
him
ance upon
keenly,
Molly
though
Wilton wa
“That's true,” sa
constab
id Molly
ie
“A
the
Andersen's
arrest
and a from
ollowed us up to
yesterdns
morning
The inspecto ube his
nerniexity i me that
3
I wouldn't
McDonald,”
Hlevedd him, Miss
be those
have
} “Proscert
ass
“The constable was short
and
stocky In build, The sergeant was fi
long mustache"
“Bi
“A
Peters
Myers, You
“I do” sald
t of a squint?”
left Hiz n
one ls
then?
“Potors
cast In his
The
know
#fye
other named
them,
Quanin softly
a half-Frenchman
townships, They
from the
were
eastern
discharged
aervice
and they got
forms and
They're” wi
taking their uni-
with them.
cattiestealing
away,
squipment
ted for a
No that ends that trouble,
win
Quain nodded to his men to dis
“Get the sleigh In to barracks
notify the coroner. I guess a half
Miss MecDon-
Wilton, to his feet, set
“I've held
“I guess I can hold
on for two hours more. There's a big-
staggering
know Just now. I'm going on ahead.
I'm all right, and you won't stop me,
Jack?
* » » * - - .
Austin Phayre, the president of the
Bank of New North Manitoba, stood
at the table, He was a man of about
fifty, with a gray, waxed mustache, and
gold-rimmed glasses, His manner was
pompous, and he was immaculate in
his black cutaway, with the expanse of
white cuff and tall collar.
“Mr, Chairman,” he sald, “some of
us shareholders have requested that
the meeting be called In order that
we may obtaln certain informa.
tion from those best qualified to Im-
part it, as to the prospests of the Mis.
safibl line, concerning which disquiet
ing rumors are afloa
“You have before yh a statement of
our financial position. It is not the
mot satisfactory one that could be
imagined, Of a total eapital of five
million dollars, nearly one-half has al-
rendy been disbursed, The estimate
before you provides for nearly two mil
lions more to be distributed over grad-
ing. track-laying, water-tanks, tele.
graph line, bridging and ballasting,
Meanwhile, unexpected difficulties have
arisen, They tell us that the entire
route will have to be resurveyed ; that
the swamps are Impassable.”
He glanced with affected investiga-
“It seems hardly worth while to put
stances,” he said, “But we should like
We
this unsettled wilderness, and in how
“What did your bank invest for, If
feel thatawny shouted an old,
roughly dressed man across the table.
or
out,” + retorted Austin
“If Mr, Betts will permit
“I'll tell ye why ye did {t!" yelled
the old man, rising to his feet and
shaking his fist vigorously. “Ye want
to get control for Tom Bowyer, 80 as
he'll have another to bankrupt.
Ye know what we all know, that old
Joe Bostock never went back on his
friends yet, If he says the line's a-
going to pay, It's n-going to pay. Ye
know Joe and Will Carruthers went
up to look the line over. Glve 'em a
chance!”
Jim Betts, a familiar figure in many
western towns since he made a lucky
strike In the Cobalt region a few years
before, had been one of Joe Bostock's
stanchest friends. He had brought In
a good many of the Investors. Yet
now he stood almost alone In cham-
plonship eof his friend.
“If the line ain't no good, what does
Tom Bowyer want it for?’ yelled the
exasperated old man. “Did ye
know Bowyer want anything
ine
ever
he
Ye
won't condemn a man when
here to speak for himself?
know Joe"
“*D—n Joe! 1 want my money!”
Austin Phayre waited
the hubbub
calmly until
had subsided, “I
Missatibl route be submitted to a com
mission of engineers, to he appointed
by the directors,” he sald.
“1 oppose ye!" shouted
*T'l fight ye the end
Ain't ye bought every engineer
Manitoba, except Will Carruthers?”
“1 beg to second sald
Jim
on
Betts.
that
in
to
the motion,
tors, and manager of the bank.
Jim Betts threw up his arms
matically, “Well, Joe Bostock.
confidential communication.
are ye, hoy?
A nolse outside: the door was flung
Wilton in
open, and stood
Viciently Open, and Wilton Stood
in the Room,
the room.
roar,
He was mud and blood from head
foot. His face, covered with a
bristly growth of beard, was white as
to
as parchment over the cheeks, revealed
the contour of the hones beneath.
Wilton strode to the table and flung
down a paper. “Mr. Bostock's power
of attorney, authorizing me to repre
sent his vote,” he sald.
He turned to the shareholders, bm
his eyes sought and held only Austin
Phayre's,
“We've been to Big Muskeg!” he
cried. “We've seen it. It enn and
shall be ballasted and crossede No
loop about it, and no change of route,
Only rock, and more rock, till
shall have a pygrmanent way as stable
a8 the New Northern's. 1 pledge my
word-—and Joe's. 1 ask for your vote
of confidence.”
Austin Phayre, who had sat down,
sprang to his feet again, The ringing
cheers which greeted Wilton's out.
burst told him to make a virtue of
necessity. Wilton had swayed the
meeting. The spirit of success flamed
in his flashing eyes and carried convie
tion in his manner,
“Mr. Chairman,” he sald in his soav-
est tones, “in view of Mr. Carruthers’
positive statement that no change of
ridtite will be pecessary, of course I
am ready not to press my motion, 1
will substitute n vefe of confidence In
the present management of the Missa.
tibl company. And, gentlemen he
whneed aboot him and smiled-vin
order to inspire the public confidence,
I ask thet it be onanimous.”
“I second that!” shouted Jim Betts,
rising enthusiastically,
Half & minute later the motion was
declared carried unanimously, and the
shareholders clustered about Wilton.
His eyes were fixed upon the door, and
he was listening for something.
"Where's Joe?’ everyone was
manding.
Then the door opened quietly, and a
girl stood In the entrance. She
looked hurdly more than a child, She
was dressed in black: her falr halr
was tumbled about her neck, and her
blue eyes were reddened and tear
stained, She glanced uncertainly
about her, saw Wilton, and ran to him.
“Joe's dead!” she cried. *“Will-—oh,
wi 1»
A loud
face
de.
ery broke from Phayre. His
was transformed; his lips were
working with rage.
“You heard that?”
vulgively., “You
tock’'s dead!
he shouted
heard 1t? Joe
Joe Bostock's dead!
cOon-
308
It's
We've been tricked |
dead! It's a fraud and a le! How
can a dead man vote?”
The shareholders stared at him. His
face was purple, and he seemed near
apoplexy.
“Joe Bostock's dead!” he raved.
“And until letters of administration of
his estate have been granted, his
power of attorney is worth more
than waste paper!”
no
“Well, say, ain't ye forgetting that
the vote was unanimous?” grinned Jim |
Betts belligerently, |
“We'll rescind it! We'll take the |
vote again! Mr, Chalrman, I move"
“Thirty days’ notice of that motion
said Betts, “And |
Will ™ |
But Wilton, without a word, tumbled |
nt Kitty's feet,
vh,
FOR THE TOURIST
Pongee and Crepe Are of Service
for Summer Wear.
Material Offered in Very Nearly All
Colors of the Rainbow; Striped
Fabric Favored.
Travel has a lure that will reach
many this summer, whether the route
Hes by steamer, railroad or motor, and
for these there have been devised
lingerie models that are practical and
mum amount of room In packing and
require the minimum amount of trouble
In laundering.
Pongees are offered as one answer
to the problem. These are generally
used In natural neutral shade, with fj
color added trim by way of con-|
trast. Pongee dyed orchid or rose|
may make of flowered
tonne may lend an summery suggestion,
Agaln, there may be
running-stitch floral design
suggestive of peasant treatment,
These devices add much to the fem
Ininity of the garment, and detract not
at
is
borders
Cre.
embroidery, a
or dots
all from
Cotton crepes
again for those
ment that can
its practicability.
have back
who appreciate a gar-
be laundered without
These crepes this sea-
in very nearly all the
rainbow, and the striped
are favored, whether
the stripe be a narrow, evenly distrib-
uted one, or arranged more in size
groups. Added to the basic color Is
the piping in a contrasting shade,
finiches many of these little |
come
ron are offered
the
CHAPTER Vi
An Unexpected Development.
For weeks thereafter he was only
at intervals, roused
injection, he was aware of making a |
Once, by some |
ner's inquest, and once Molly's face |
appeared, wet with tears, out of the |
and her lips touched him.
realize
and
to
house,
that he was
that Kitty
in
had |
Feebly he whispered his gratito le,
nd asked forgiveness becan he had
not been able te keep his promise to
after Joe,
“You did all that «
answered,
He
’ te
nok
she
fully plucky,
Pr
J Hoh
He asked for Molly
he { the
Wilt
hetior
Kitty promised to show
when he
*Then
got
YOu Kniow we
ked Wilton
Kitty smi
!
ip
i
I'm
nt
aralyzi doubt, tha
and that
had fired the
Bowyer must
acecident
breeds
Yet
it; Bowyer had sent t
arrest
known
he ing imtars
and more |
learned |
him; he became nn
that
eath that
and had devised
him from the
Among Wilton's callers was old Jim
Betts, extended his con- |
fidence In 8 measure, i
“Bowyers gulity as h—1" he de. |
clared. “Phayre mightn't have known, |
But Bowyer knew,
he had Phayre bring that
forward, that wouldn't
Put that thought in your pipe
and smoke it, boy!”
“Jim,” sad Wilton, “I'm
life to the Missatibi,
Joe's work. And I'm
hound down his murderer,
re
convinced lowyer had
i od ¢ t
0 aiternoon the
at
the arrest
meeting.
to whom he
large
when Moe
Joe ro. |
giving up
because it |
Eoing
if it
to
was |
“Aye, boy, and go cool about it." |
counseled Betts. “It was crafty work,
it'll come out. Don’t doubt it
you'll find them two snakes,
Bowyer and Phayre, under the brush.
wool. And maybe Clark, too,” he
added.
It was the middle of February be-
house. Nearly two months had been
lost, and during that time Bowyer and
Phayre, whatever thelr plans might
be, had had a good leeway to develop
them,
“Kitty,” sald Wilton, “you know
everything Is in your hands now. You
control the line. And I know that
you'll stand by the line to the last,
because It was Joe's big dream.”
“Will, you can count on me to the
end,” sald Kitty solemnly, “I've been
thinking a great deal about Big Mus.
keg, and I feel my own responsibility,
I want to see the work, Will. 1 want
to know that you are succeeding. And
I'm going to live there.”
“wwMcDonald’s angry protest
and then a cry from Molly!”
—
——
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Daily Thoughts,
Any one thing in the creation {s suf.
fitent to de ovatrate a Providence te
an humble (nd grateful mind. —Eole
totus, :
In the opinion of many there Is
nothing as practical for travel pur
poses as crepe de chine, and nothing
need be added concegning this
material as It has been developed for
The tallored garments
have the vogue for some
time are infinitely practical from the
of view, and thelr com- |
fort Is not to be questioned.
been
HOMESPUN DRESS AND COAT
A homespun coat and dress outfit
Is the joy of the young miss. The one
of straw and embroidery.
A New Material,
novelty beige silk woven
a crepe stripe Is a new material
for the short jackets
ng so popular.
with
brs
that
A
eed
are becomi l
FALL STREET DRESS
This fashionable street dress is in
blouse effect, trimmed with caracul fur
and newest style Grecian girdle.
Garment Is One of the Fancies of the
Season; Russian Influence ls
Quite Prominent.
The blouse that
is one of fashi«
lonses appear In var ue
nations, ti
Laie
by far being those
looks ike a sweater
n's fancies this Bu sOn.,
iors and
color com effective
multl-
colored embroideries. Worn with white
linen or silk skirts, such a blouse
would be smart for summer,
Blouses seem to
nedium so
of the
blouses being seen now, and the
most
in white wm
in white with
arrived at a
as len is
very ong over-
that
most
in the
the
have
far gth
few
Re
reach
to
barely the hips or at
y below are
length avolds
Te
the waistline, which
ite prome
wing of
A pood
giver
rertals
io
Lovely Lace Gown.
tha Powe Cy
wiice
orossed
ain
satin, with a panel of the
down the cester.
Caramel Brown Hat
Caramel brown and Har
popular for the brimmed
with a silk in a
of of reds and
sin shades
hat
wide
bles,
blending
Seven
worm
range
with
dress
shades
ight brown gloves a
fi COPRSOTY.
ness, the Proper Thing for
Garment.
The crossover bodice swith a deep |
welcome relief after the plain
chemise front that has held sway so
long. Supple materials, with plenty
of fullness, are the proper thing for
the crossover bodice. The gowns
which feature this new-old fashion
usually catch the bodice at one side |
with a little bouquet of silk flowers. |
Most of these crossover effects have!
a rather long waistline, and sometimes |
a sash that ties at the left side with |
ends hanging to the hem of the skirt,
The new flecked feather is much in |
evidence. A fawn crinolind hat had |
fawn feathers tipped with orange. |
Other hats are showing brown feathers
flecked with gold, fuchsin with silver,
gray with light blue. A black and
white costume was supplemented with
a hat of black plush on which stood |
up a cluster of white ostrich tips
flecked with black.
PRINTED GOODS IS POPULAR
Dresses Accompanied by Hats and
Parasols to Match Are the
Fashion in Paris.
The Prix de Diane, which opens the
acing season at Chantilly each year,
holds something of style Interest
Printed dresses, occasionally accom
panied by hats and parasols to match ;
‘ate dresser and capes; tin millinery
foware, and highly decorative sleeves
were the most interesting notes to he
made, writes a Paris correspondent.
One's earlier impression that printed
inued increase of those who should
to be a bigger year than
printed silks, particularly
allover rather modern
usual
crepes
patterns.
for
in
HOW TO CLEAN STRAW HATS
Milan, Leghorn and Others May Be
Cleansed With Juice of Lemon
and Powdered Sulphur,
sald that the most delicate of
straw goods, milan, Jeghorn and
others, can be thorougkly cleaned hy
mixing the juice of a lemon with a
tablespoonful of powdered sulphur
to form a thick paste. Apply this to
the hat with a nallbrush or toothbrush;
first removing the band, and rub the
paste thoroughly into the straw,
Afterward rinse hy dashing water
upon it from a glass, but without soak-
ing. Shape the hat, while still damp
with a warm iron, pressing through a
wet cloth until dry.
It is
For Evening Gown,
The beauty of Dorothy Phillips is
enhanced by the shimmering jet eve.
ning gown which she wears in one pie.
ture. The entire frock Is made of
sparkling sequins and hangs in simple
straight lines from the shoulder to
the deeply scalloped skirt. Three jet
cabochons confine It slightly at the
hips. Filmy black tulle attached at
the back of the shoulders suggests a
flowing sleeve,