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FLAME IN THE FOREST By HAROLD TITUS Illustrations by Irwin Myers Copyright by H&iold Titus. WNU Service. SYNOPSIS Kerry Young, a lad of seven, is pre pared to flee the burning lumber camp of his benefactor, Jack Snow, who took the youngster to live with him at the death of Kerry's mother. Tod West has Instructed Kerry to come with a file containing the camp's funds should it be endangered. Flames attack the of fice, and Kerry, hugging the precious file, and Tod race to town. Tod acts queerly. At the bank the file is found ?mpty and Kerry is blamed with taking the wrong one. Snow, his headquarters and money gone, is ruined, and soon thereafter dies, leaving Kerry to the Poor Commissioner. Kerry suspects Tod and swears to even the score. In a St. Paul office Kerry, now in manhood, and an expert woodsman, learns of the whereabouts of West. Kerry rescues a lovely girl from a scoundrel, who proves to be West. Tod threatens to pauperize the girl; Nan Downer. She thanks Ker ry and tells him of the robbery, and murder of her father and of Tod's ad vances. She is operating a lumber tract which her father had purchased from West. Kerry makes camp. At the gen eral store in West's Landing, he finds Tod engaged in a poker game. Jim Hinkle, timber employee, loses heavily. Kerry exposes Tod's cheating and dis arms him. The crowd is unconvinced of Tod's duplicity. Kerry identified him self to West, who denies knowing him ??nd advises him to leave town. Nan tells Dr. Ezra Adams of Kerry's rescue ?ot her from Tod, and of West's threat. CHAPTER V ? Continued ? 5? "Hullo, Jimmy ! Evening, Elsie. All ready to be measured up for the brace, eh? Well, well; we've come along so far and have got kind of a leg left. Now we'll start on the Job of making a silk purse out of . . . something." He began pulling oft his coat. "Where's Jim?" he asked. The woman's face darkened. "At the store, I guess. Gambling again, 1 suppose." "Well, we'll go ahead, anyhow." And he went ahead, holding the mis shapen leg on his knees, eyeing the long, blue creases of some terrible hurt and Nan looked on, watching tbe play of bis deft fingers. The painstaking chore finally fin ished and no Jim In sight, the two walked toward the store, Ezra saying: "Of course, if Jim hasn't the cash, m have to buy the brace myself. I told him that last time I was out and be pronlsed. But,"" ? with a sigh ? "times being what they are, I'm scrap ing the bottom of the till myself!" So they approached the store and saw what they saw. As they left, Tod West was saying to Jim: "Hell, No! I won't take back that money! He's a rat and a liar, Jim, but . . He shrugged and met Jim's eyes squarely, neatly covering the ef fort required. "Lord, boy, I've always tried to lean backward in my dealln's with others! No, sir. If any man says I took money unfairly, I don't even want to argue. Not on your life. 1 don't. Money ain't worth that, Jim!" Kerry sat In the darkness on the river bank, listening to the booing of ?n owl and the song of crickets and the plopping of a night feeding trout. Be smoked leisurely and Tip, head in his lap, breathed evenly. . . . So his childish suspicion had been right; so the last sane thought ? also a suspicion ? which Jack Snow had bad, had been justified. The d<jg now lifted his head sharply and Kerry could feel him stiffen. After a moment, a low vibration ran his back, which was the beginnings of a growl. -Steady!" the man whispered and reached for Ifis bed. jerking his rifle from the blanket folds. Then, aloud, he hailed: -Who's there?" A voice from above answered : "Caller, Toung! Still up?" Slow footsteps came through the poplars. Toung, on his feet waited with the dog stiff and suspicious beside him. "Funny business, bustln' In on a man this way, tbla hour," the voice went on, nearer now. "But I got tnings to talk over." Be could see the ?ther, now. Be was short, squat, and breathed rapidly. "I'm named Adams, Toung; Ezra Adams. I'm the local pill peddler." "Oh, hullo, doctor!" The old man's voice was pleasant "Glad you dropped In. Bere, sit on the bed. Light your pipe?" Be could see the other stare across the river and cock bis bead as If to listen. "No, guess not thanks. I . . . This Is kind of confidential.*' "So?" Be felt the doctor's attempt to scru tinize his own shadowed fsce. "Sit down. Nobody can get within ear shot with Tip here." Adams began In a moment "I was In the store when Todjpade his play, Toung. I saw and heard and . . . things have happened since that make me feel maybe I'm going to have to ask your help, stringers though we ?re." i Kerr; mad* no comment He was Instinctively drawn to tbls old mail. "Also, I heard about what happened this afternoon. I added that to what I know about you. "The first thing I came to ask Is this: how long are you going to stay here? I heard you say to West that you wouldn't be driven off." "Only until he's sure that I'm not going because he wants me to." "Hum. . . . Pressing business else where?" "None at all." Pause. "I see. Then If you could be Interested In a Job here, you'd be Jfree to take It?" " "Job? What kind of Job?" The old man eyed him In the dark ness. "Coroner's clerk," he said In a whisper. "Vou kidding me?" "Not In the least. I'm . . . I'm more serious and In greater need than I've been since I can recollect." "Well, that's a new one on me!" He laughed. "Coroner's clerk ! Why ? " "Let me explain this a little. I have to pop It right at you without any preliminaries because it's . . . it's an emergency, I guess. Nan didn't go Into detail about the killing of her father. I want you to know that You've got to know It That Is, If you're going to consider my proposal. "You see. Downer was a queer old duffer. Salt of the earth, but queer; eccentric. It was one of bis eccen tricities that led to his murder. He never would deal with a man except for cash. Kept a bank account and all, but when he did business checks didn't go. "He had this payment due to West last November. The fifteenth. It was. That was pay day at his mill, too. The day before he drove into town and drew the money from the bank, start ed home about dusk and was killed not three miles from here by a bul let In the brain. The money, in one of these tin boxes, was taken out of his car. It amounted to over twelve thousand dollars. "Yon see, I'm coroner here. I start ed an Investigation and the sheriff, he fussed some, but that's about the ex tent of his abilities: fussing. "Two men, only, that we knew of, -had the slightest motive. One was Jim Hlnkle, whose money you got back for him tonight. He'd been work ing for Cash, had been fired the day before and fired with gosto, which was Downer's way. But he was playing cribbage with Tod West all. that eve ning and stayed in West's house all night, his family being away. So, with West being what he's ' thought to be," ? drily ? "Hlnkle was counted out "West was quite active In this thing. He wanted his money and Nan, Dow ner's only heir, didn't have more to pay him. He dila- up the information that Holt Stuan had had a run-in with Cash early In the week. Holt was working for Cash. Well, it seems that Holt's pretty well struck with Nan. He's a good boy, bnt Cash was a cantankerous old cuss and he rode the boy pretty hard because of where he'd let his Interests stray. As a sort of punishment, he'd sent Holt out to a cabin on Townline Lake to do some mapping and made him stay there all alone. ? "The sheriff, after West got through with him, was convinced Holt was his man and started right In to work up a case against him. But I stopped that A coroner, you know, *s got It all over a sheriff for authority. I drove out and found the boy with an ankle so badly sprained that be couldn't pos slbly've been out "Well, we Impaneled a coroner's Jury and I got the bullet ont of Casli but we bad so little to go on that the verdict had to be an open one. Then we started trying to trace the money. It was mostly In new Federal Reserve notes and the bank had the serial num bers. We broadcast those and titer called It a day. That's where It sit! now." "Downer's dead and the money's gone," said Kerry. '"Lord, If Mist Downer could get hold of that stolen money lt'd save her life, wouldn't It?' "It would" ? again drily. "That'i what I'm here for. To see If you'll help me locate It." "Locate It? What d'you mean?" "This!" The old man leaned for ward and tapped Young's knee. "The money." he whispered, "Is still in the country !" "The devil !" ?? " 'S troth ! In my pocket I have a twenty dollar bill that was part of It It was paid me on account to night." "You got any Idea where It came from?" Ezra looked around and listened. "Out of your poker game," be said grimly. After a moment Kerry gave a low whistle. "Say! That makes the situation look up. doesn't It?" "That's why I came to yon, a stran ger. I need help and need It right now. That money It cached some where In the country. Whoever Is hiding It. needs money badly. That's the first bill to be put Into circulation out of tbe lot. . , . Young, will you take a commission as my deputy?" Kerry's heart was beating rapidly. Here. Indeed, was a chance to do some thing for Nan Downer. He waited a moment, considering all things. Then he said: "I'll go you, doctor!" "Good ! But we'll have to keep It between you and me. Not even Nan must know." And leaping hack on one elbow the old man cleared his throat and began to talk again. ? ?????? Across the river In the hlg house of peeled logs which waa Tod West's abode that citiieo stood before Jim Hlnkle, who was seated and whose eyes remained averted. "And now It's up to yon," West said heavily. "I guess it's my right to ex pect that much from you." "It'll look like hell, for me to do that," Jim protested. "After what be thought he done for me. . . . How'll I go at It? Besides, he's nobody to fool with 1" "Never mind that. I'll take care of that," ? nodding meaningful. "And about how It'll look: you mean be cause he made a play at getting your money back?" "Well . . . You see . . "Don't hedge! You can't pull wool over my eyes. Listen here, spite of all your talk In the store about not wantin' to take your motfcy back, you still think he did you a favor, don't you? If you bad the guts to say what you believe you'd say, after all, that you thought he was right, that I did deal crooked!" "Hell, no! I tell you, I only ? " "Shut up!" West gestured savagely. "Because a rat comes along and frames me so I'll look like a crook, you'll forget all I've done for you!" "Well," ? with a show of sullen de fiance ? "what If I do think It wasn't a frame-up against you? What then?" West leaned forward, face darken ing, mouth settling In a cruel line. "So that's It, eh? So that's how you feel ! Well, when you've forgot ten everything else about me, remem ber this: I lied for you once, didn't I? I told 'em all I played crlbbage with you the night Downer was killed, didn't I? And nobody knows I found you wandering around so blind drunk "I've Com* to Tell You," He Said, "That This Ain't a Very Healthy Place to Hang Around!" you couldn't tell where you'd been? And with a rifle, too? What, I ask you" ? bending forward and rubbing his palms on his hips slowly ? "what'd happen If I came clean with the sher iff and told him that, eh? If any man ever would be under suspicion of mur der then, who'd It be?" Hlnkle raised an unsteady hand to his chin. "You wouldn't do that, Tod?" "Try me and see!" Their gazes locked and after a time Jim's felL He drew a slow, faltering breath. "All right," he said. "I'll get gome of the boys. Tomorrow, we'll see what we can do about gettln' him down i river." CHAPTER VI The sun had climbed from the bank of orange clouds which screened Its rising; the mill whistle had blown i summoning men to work and the saw i had at last taken up Its dally song. Kerry Young had been up before i the break of day, built his Are, batbed i In the stinging waters of the river > and dre?sed leisurely. Then he set his ' shaving kit on a stump beside the i stream and proceeded to clean cheeks I and chin of yesterday's beard stubble. Today he' was going to present himself to Nan Downer and ask for work, a move which Ezra Adams had nrged >" at length last night. < It was while peering Into the mirror as he began manipulating the razor that his eyes lost their glint of laugh ? ter and became most Intent. Across the way spruces grew thick along the river bank, and as he turned his back to the stream, he caught In the mir ror a reflection of branches being part ed. of a face peering at him. He pretended to give this watcher no heed, but he took long at his shav ing. and half a dozen times had a fair glimpse of the man's face. It was no one he had seen before. He was not at all surprised when Tip. recnmbent beside the (Ire, raised his head sharply and gave a low growl. "Easy, chum!" Kerry muttered. "Coming Into the open, eh?" But It was nothing across the stream which had attracted the dog; nor was the man approaching the one who had spied on him from the timber. Jim Hlnkle was coming along the trail which followed the bank above the flat, and walking Intently, as one with a grim purpose. Kerry looked op and nodded. The other did not respond. "Well, Jim?" Young asked. Hlnkle plunged at once Into his er rand. "I've come to tell you." he said, "that this ain't a very healthy place for yon to hang around!" "So? Kind of yon to take this tron ble. Is this a . . . ? friendly act or a warning, Jim?" "Call It what yon want to. I come here because It looked last night a* If you was doln' me ? favor. Instead, you put me In a hell of a bole. Ton, nor nobody else, can make me think I that Tod West would cheat at cards!" A whiff of surprise escaped Kerry. "Well, I'll be damned!" he breathed. "You really aren't convinced?" The man made an Impatient gesture and looked away. "Tea. I don't know what your game wns, but when a stranger In tbls coun try makes a play like that with a man like Tod ? well, he don't get far." "Maybe. Not at first" "Or anywhere along the line!" The man appeared to be making an effort to >asb himself Into a mood of trucu lence. "If you'd stuck around to hear what they said In the store last night, you'd find out how far you got. Tod Insisted that they look the cards over, and do you think any one of us would? Not on your life! And be made me take my money back, too . . . said he wouldn't even take it If I'd owed It to him after havln' suspicion put on him. lie . . . "If you know what's good for you," In his manner, then, was a convincing quality not present before, "youH haul out today !" "And If I shouldn't . . . what then?" Hinkle shrugged. "Well, I'd figure I'd done all that anybody can do for you by comln' here." He advanced a few steps, his voice moderating. "I'm not handin' you anything. Young, I'm just doln' you a friendly act. This country tblnks a lot of* Tod, and there's men here that won't stand to see anything done against him." "Yeah? West, and who else?" "Plenty !" Young let his bead drop backward and laughed. ? ?????? So that was that! He had been spied upon since day break, had been warned to clear out by an emissary who did not say all that be thonght and felt Such Items should be pondered over, but first be bad other things to do. He and Ezra had decfded that since he had an official If secret standing1 now, it would scarcely do for blm to remain In the country with no better excuse than the proclaimed Intention of defying Tod West. So Kerry de cided to apply to Nan Downer for work. Not long after Jim Hlnkle's depar ture Kerry set out. Tip following at bis heels. Nan Downer looked up from her desk and listened to Kerry's brief speech explaining his presence. "A job?" she asked, and surprise In her face. It was not the surprise which made the deepest Impression on Young. It. was the qnlck coloring o f ber cheeks ' the changing light In her eyes which; Indicated an Interest In him over and above any amazement or regret or en-1 thusiasm which bis question might j have provoked. "Yes, a job. You know bow It li, I ; guess : I've sort of got to stick around I a while; and when I'm In one place, I1 don't just hanker to loaf." She traced a pencil-line on ? pad before her, considering. "If you want to take a chance of de-< fylng Tod West, It Is your affair. What sort of job are you after?" Kerry grinned. "Maybe I'll have to ask what kind of jobs you've got on hand? I can do a lot of things In and around the ] woods, all the way from cruising, up through logging operations to mlll lne." "Are yon a draftsman as well?" She turned to a aeries of large maps : hanging from the wall, greens and reds and bines splashing the surfaces, to Indicate the various types of growth which cloaked the descriptions,! with figures showing the size and den sities of stands, with streams and lakes set down in detail. "Ton see," she explained, "these prospects of onrs are the sort who will want to know, down to the last detail, what we're offering in exchange for their money. Uy father found that the easiest way to Interest men of affairs was to have everything on paper where they could consider It intelligently and completely. Could you do Just this soM of thing as well as these Jobs have been done?" No fooling about this girl. Her ques tion was blunt and brooked no eva sion or qualification In answer. Young stepped closer to the maps, studying them a lengthy Interval. "I can." he said finally. Nan hesitated. "Of course, we can't pay yon what yon might get some other place. We're op against It as yon already know." She was obvloualy embarrassed, bul Kerry said quickly: "Don't worry about that." He looked at her, his appreciation of the situation stirring a profound sympsthy. "I'd figure. Miss Downer, that It'd be a rare privilege working for yon. When do we start?" "1 can't talk that detail with yon now. because Holt is out on tbe Job. We've worked such things out together since my father died. He'll be back, this evening. Will yon come op then?" He would, he said, and started out, of tbe office. Tip stood ontaide tbe screen door and sow whined. "Oh. here's the dog!" Nan cried, go ing quickly ahead of Young, opening' the door and kaeellng on the step. The retriever Inspected her with eyes and ooae, and at first bore himself' with perfect indifference, being, as be was. a one-man beast. Bnt when her ! small band came to rest on the broad crown of bis head, and her gentle voice told him what a handsome fel low he was . . . why, then rhe tall commenced to waggle I bit and Ms eyes roiled, and his pink tongue lolled s little, snd be panted with that sat isfaction which comes to any with su(TW?nt flattery ? (TO BE CONTINUED) New Ideas From Knit-Crochet Realm By CHERIE NICHOLAS WHEN U the psychological moment to "tend to your knitting"? Eight now, between seasons. The peaceful aftermath of a maddening, whiffing, swirling, dizzying, hectic holi day rush, the blissful, mld-seuson lull betwixt the lingering farewell of win ter and the none-too-hurrled advent of spring ? 'tis "opportunity knocking at the door" of eager knitters and cro cheters. Yes, Indeed, It's fall time to begin to purl one, knit one, chaln-stltch bere and chaln-stltch there. If you would bo baring In readiness a collection of pretty wearables to enhance the forth coming spring and summer wardrobe. If you "Ae needing fresh Ideas to whet your enthusiasm, the Illustration of fers several of tbe very newest in tbe realm of things knitted and crocheted. A sunning blouse I We agree with you. What with Its high rolled collar which' chucks under tbe chin with un mistakable cblc. Its unique yoke. Its novel bib front, and Its crochet-cord edged short sleeves the ever-coveted "something different" Is achieved with emphasis. It Is knitted of a very Ilk able knlttlng-and-crochet cotton which comes In heavenly colors. Yes (read ing the query on tbe tip of your tongue) the answer Is In the affirmative. It washes to perfection. Just what you'll be wanting ? a frilled Jabot to go gracefully cascad ing down the front of your dark day time dresses. The one pictured Is easy to make, easy to wear and a gladsome sight to appreciative eyes. It should be slightly starched to give It Its flare. CHIC BIRD PRINT By CHER1E NICHOLAS The new print* are ? revelation In the way of original and moat out-of tbe-ordlnarjr patterning*. Imagine ban of mnale netes printed all over joor flrat spring allk. or a design nslng post age stamp motif and there are anj number *f Mesa that could be cited just aa unique. There are the tj Ingblrd prints aa thej are called, for example, aach aa plctored here. In the print Illustrated, white lore blrda with bright colored baada <17 across a nary bltte background to form a striking design for a dinner suit of woolly textured allk. The bodice Is of white silk matching the lining of the ticket Hat and gloves? To be sure, and aren't they nifty? A mere matter of a few leisure half hours, a ball or *o of knit-crochet cotton In the color you like best, nimble lingers and a will to dare, and these charming accessories will be your {pward. The little close-flttlng hat speaks eloquently In terms of the now-so vogulsh popcorn stitch. The tall peak Is along lines of smartest fashion since the newest millinery gesture trends to extreme height The beauty of the knit-crochet cotton which Is used for Its making is, that being strong and firm It assures a bat that will stay In shape, will not be hot and scratchy and, best of all. It will come from a tubbing looking as good as new. It la an extremely young and engaging crea tion. The lacy gloves crocheted of mer cerized cotton succeed in "running the gauntlet" halfway and more up to the elbow. Which means you hare to keep on keeping on crocheting for quite some time In order to arrive at just the right point. A highly Interesting bit of news In regard to things crocheted comes from Paris. We refer to the fanciful little trl -cornered shawl-scarf, which being of peasant Inspiration Is as quaint and colorful as can be. These are prov ing wonderfully popular and pictur esque as worn at resorts this winter. With every shawl-scarf there's a hat, either a straw capellne crowned with matching crochet or else a small beret or turban. C Waatarn Newt paper Union. SANDALS WITH SILK GOWNS FOR TRAVEL Silk dresses In white. In pastels, or In gay prints are tops for luncheons, cocktails or for wear at special stop offs on cruises? a fashion that definite ly calls for sandals. Whether In white linen, white patent lesther (a very smart and different note), or In white suede, the sandal shown In the photo has a place In every traveler's ward robe. It Is extremely graceful on the foot, fits beautifully and should be re- i garded as a "must" In cruise shoes. For snooty shindigs, where the gala : dress of black or white chiffon Is cor rect, and for the more formal cruise occasions, a smart shoe store has cre ated the "corsage" kid sandaU In deli cately flowered design. Slender Effect Achieved by Stem-Like Silhouette A stemlike silhouette making man nequins look slim as a reed, mark the new fashions launched by Roger Worth, new president of the famous old dressmnklnz house of that name and great-grandson of Its founder. Both day frocks and coats are built on slender lines, their only variation being occasional big sleeves which bal ance the straight narrow skirt. Blsck. violet, wine red and navy afternoon frocks of satin, crepe or faconne silk are generally designed with high necklines and finished with a variety of gold touches. Gold em broidery or gold tipped tassels marks belts, which are sometimes slightly lowered, while necklines sre draped Into gold metal loops or accented by a cluster of gold coins swinging from ?ilk cords. Elegant Bloat* The tea-time blouse may be made of a variety of lovely fabrics? brocade, metal cloth. chllTon or lustrous silk. It Is usually designed tnnlc-style and may be worn with a velvet skirt or with a plain cloth suit skirt. Blood Donors Unsought in Russia; Life Fluid Canned' In Russia, hospitals are dispensing with the need of summonlnf a volun tary blood donor when cases of ur gent blood transfusion arise. Instead, the patient la given a dose of this vital effusion out of a tin ! Supplies of blood of all grades are stocked In glsss containers, kept under refrig eration. Ruthless analysis ensures the purity of each can, so there is no danger, as In the case of direct man-to-man transfusions, of noxious germs being transferred in the process. Doctors In outlying districts requir ing a transfusion have now only to communicate the specific qualities of their patient's blood to a hospital, and a tin of the same caliber is dis patched Immediately. In winter, some consignments have been landed over snow-bound areas by parachute. ?Tit Bits. . . To keep clean and healthy take Dr. Plercr'i Pleasant Pellet*. Thpy regulate liver, bowel* and atomach.? Adv. In Young and Old Hamburger steak Is a concession to the growing infirmity of teeth. I'M SOLD It always works Jo st do what hospitals do, and the doctors insist on. Use a good liquid laxative, and aid Nature to restore clocklike molarity without strain or ill effect. A liquid can always be taken is gradually reduced doses. Seduced dotage is the real secret 0/ rdiif / ram constipation. Ask a doctor about this. Ask your druggist how very popular Dr. Cald welTs Syrup Pepsin has become. It amount ofnelp. Taking a' littleTess each time, give* the bowels a chance to act of their own accord, until they are moving regularly and thoroughly withoot any help at alL Dr. Caldwell s Syrup Pepsin coo tains senna and cascara ? both natural laxatives that form no habit. The ac tion is gentle, but sure. It will relieve any sluggishness or bilious condition due to constipation without upset. CWver and Wi?? A clever fool Is more dangerous to argne with than a wise one. Found; My Ideal lUiiwJy for PAIN Though I bar* tried all good remedies Capodine suits me bsst. It is quick sad gentle." Quickest because it is liquid ? its ingredients srs already dis solved. .For headache, neural gic. or muscle sches. CAPUDINE Bat Always High the wages of sic are never agreed on beforehand. Black-Draught Relief Prompt and Refreshing It's a good idea that so many peo ple have ? to keep Black- Draught handy so they can take a dose for prompt relief at the first sign of constipation. Mr. Sherman Sneed, of Evens ville, Tenn, writes: "I take Black- Draught for constipation which causes head ache, a bad, tired feeling and for biliousness, bad taste in the mouth and sluggish feeling. Black-Draught, taken about two nights, clears up this trouble and I get all right." Mas and women tike Black-Draaekt m weft becautc of the refreshing reiki k brine* >a constipation trouble a. Indicated as on AKeraMv to the Treatment of RHEUMATIC FEVER, GOUT, Simple Neuralgia, Muscular Aches and Piiti itAllDrafxtota face "BrokenOuff Start today to relieve the toreoesa ? aid healing? end improve your skin, 4*^ with the uto medication in ? Resmol = SALESMEN WAMTED=j No experience necessary. Exclusive territory now open. Dignified business that pays a large, steady, reliable in come weekly on a few small orders dsily. Easy sales. Wimfmfrt Atmh ' ?? insfr. SAM B. PARKS CO. S3 Weoster St. New Yerfc. N. Y. WNU ? 4 9?36
The Alamance Gleaner (Graham, N.C.)
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Feb. 27, 1936, edition 1
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