Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Clinton News Record, 1940-04-04, Page 2PAGE2 THE CLINTON NEWS -RECORD THIS MYSTERY' OF THE SPACIOUS ROMANTIC WEST KEITH MARLOW COLIN ANSON • . . CHET FRASER PAUL MARRABLE GRACE AItDEN .. DUNCAN. MacLAINE Principal Characters: Of 'the Canadian Mounted Police, recently joined from Britain. ...Marlow's cousin, who' had gone out to Canada some years earlier than Keith.. Friend of Keith, he later joins the Mounted Police. .......An unsavoury. •character, suspected of trafficking in drugs and drink with, the Canadian Indians. ...Lives with her father in a remote part of the mountains. .Keith Marlow's fellow trooper. adlj 1,:91,1„ , • CHAPTER XXVI "ARE YOU 'THE TAMER'?" "Keep quite still, the man order- ed sternly. "Don't reach for your pistol or it willbe the worse for ydu." Keith gazed at the stranger. He had never seem rim before. Of that he was sure, yet there was some- thing vaguely familiar about hint. He looked to be forty-five to fifty, had a broad face with high cheek bones. Hie eyes were brilliantly blue, The . Clinton News -Record with which is incorporated THE NEW ERA TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION $1.50 per year in advance, to Can- adian addresses; 82.00 to the U.S. or. other foreign .countries. No paper discontinued until all arrears are paid unless at the option of the. pub- lisher. The date to which every sub- scription is paid is denoted on the label: ADVERTISING RATES — Transient advertising 12e per count line for first insertion. 8c. for each subse- quent insertion. Heading counts 2 lines. Small advertisements not to exceed one inch, such as "Wanted", "Lost, "Strayed", etc., inserted once for 35o., each subsequent insertion 15c. Rates for display advertising made known on application, Communications intended for pub- lication must, as a guarantee of good faith, be accompanied by the name of the writer. G. E. HALL - - Proprietor H. T. RANCE Notary Public, Conveyancer Financial. Real Estate and Fire In- aurance Agent. Representing 14 Fire Insurance Companies. Division Court Office. Clinton Frank Fingland, B.A., LL.B. Barrister, Solicitor, Notary Public Successor to W. Brydone, K.C. Sloan' Blass: — Clinton. Ont. 11. H. McINNES CHIROPRACTOR Electro Therapist, Massage Office: Huron Street. (Few Doors west of Royal Bank) Hours—Wed. and Sat. and by appointment. FOOT CORRECTION fey manipulation P on .Sun -Rap Treatment Phone 207 GEORGE ELLIOTT (Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron Correspondencorom tl y answered P y Immediate arrangements can be made tor Sales Date at The News -Record, Miter., or by calling. phone 203. Charges Moderate and Satisfaction Guaranteed. THE McKILLOP MUTUAL ?ire Insurance Company Mend Office, Seafortb, Ont. Officers: President, Thomas Moylan, Sea - forth; Vice president, William Knox, Londesboro; Secretary -Treasurer, M. el A. Reid, Seaforth. Directors, Alex. Broadfoot, Seaforth; James Sholdice, Walton; Janes Connolly, Goderich; pl W. R. Archibald. Seaforth; Chris. ,"I Leonhardt, Dublin; Alex. MeEwing, inn B1•'th; Frank McGregor, Clinton.. t List of Agents: E. A. Yeo, R.R. 1, it Goderich, Phone 603r31, Clinton; James Watt, Blyth; John E. Pepper, Brucefield, R. R. No. 1; R. F. McKer- sh eller, Dublin, R. R. No. 1; Chas, F. an Hewitt, Kincardine; R. G. Jarmtuth, t Bornholm, R. P. No. 1. Any money to be paid may be paid ea to the Royal Bank, Clinton; Bank .of ha Commerce, . Seaforth, or at Galvin pa C'utt's Grocery, Goderich. b Parties desiring to effect insur- -ranee or transact other business will s be promptly attended to on applies - ion to any ,of the above officers ad- vi dressed to their resnective post offi- ces. Losses inspected by the director who lives nearest the scene. but at • present exteremely hard. He had a big, rather beaky nose, a strong chin, and there was no grey in his, fair hair: He was decently dressed, he had even' shaven recently. He did not look like 'one of Marrable's viten yet what else could ke be?. "I'm keepingstill," Keith remarked after a moment. "What comes next?" The other scowled uncertainly. • "Who are you?" he demanded. "Corporal Keith Marlow," was bite answer. "Marlow," the big man repeated, "And a Mountie, What the devil are you doing here?" "I'm on police business," Keith said drily. "That's as much as T propose to tell you until I know more ab you." The big.. man .lowered Ms g He seemed satisfied that Keith telling the truth. At the sante ti it was clear that he was still angry and upset. Silence fell between the two. Keith's police training had made him understand the advantage of let- ting the other mean do the talking. His visitor's keen eyes took in Keith's ragged condition, los thin, unshaven face, his lack of blankets and kit. "You seem to have lost your canoe," he said in a more reasonable tone. A spasm of pain twitched Keith's face. "Yea," he said, "a fieod wave two days ago. I was ashore. Both my ecnipanions were drowned," The big man nodded, "It's a brute of a river. At this time of year this snow canes off the cliffs in avalanches which sometimes block the whole stream. Then, when it tears loose, there's a flood wave that would almost wreck a liner." Keith listener! with interest. This. visitor of his was an :educated man, None of the ordinary sourdoughs would speak of an avalanche. They would say "snow slide.". Keith de- cided that this man was not likely to have anything to do with Marrable and suddenly he believed he new his identity. "Are you the mean the Indians call 'The Tauter'? he asked. Instantly the other was all bristle again. "What have you heard of him?" he asked sharply. "flaw come you to know anything .about him?" "You forget that, I am a police- man," Keith answered. "It is my business to hear and 'know what is going on in my district, Yet actually I know nothing except the Atdiat rumour:" "Yeti ate on ycur way to sea," said the other harshly. "Not to sae," Keith told hint quiet• ly, "but to find food and shelter. Since it was impossible for me to get back down stream I was forced to go up." He paused for a moment then spoke again. "You have not answered my question:" "I anti not the man you speak of," aid the visitor. "My name is - Arden." It waser Keith's s turn to be surprised. "The father al' Miss Grace Arden?" o exclaimed, "Yes, and you are the than whom rte helped out of an ice ]tole last fall, knew who you were when you gave e year name." Keith was immens- why he had not seen Arden's• camp fire but that was soon explained _for Arden's camp had been made in a gully a. couple of hundred yards up stream front Keith's. fire, and the gully wall hid the blaze. Gil, with his left arm in a sling, was waiting at the river's edge and with him e quiet -looking, middle-aged Indian. Dim as the light was, Keith saw a smile on Gil's dark face. "So it is de Ca petal!" he said. Keith shook hands. "I ant very glad to see yell, Gil," he began, then before he could say more another figure materialized out of the gloom and Keith's heart raced as he recognized Grace. out "You, Miss Arden!" he exclaimed. un. At that moment the fire blazed rap Was ,and the red glow showed a startled me look' on the girl's charming face. She came a step. nearer. "Mr. -Marlow!" she said in a tone which' was full of amazement. "But how :how do you came here?" "Police duty," Keith told her. Be- fore he could say more she stopped him. "You are half starved," she ex- claimed, "and half frozen, too, I think, Come to the fire. Gil, is there some hot coffee?" Gil, who had al- ready noticed Keith's condition, was filling a steaming snug. Keith drain - edit to the last drop. "That's good," he said gratefully. "As I told your father, Miss Arden, one rabbit is all I have had to eat during the past two days." "Sit down," Grace ordered. She got a blanket and spread id over Keith's shoulders. "Don't talk until you have had some supper. After that we will hear your story. She and Gil dished out some ex- cellent stew and this, with a fresh bannoek, seemed to Keith the best meal he had ever eaten. While he ate Grace's father sat on the opposite side of the fire, smoking his pipe. He did not speak and Keith was puzzled by the grim took on the old- er man's face. Something was worry- ing hhn but what it was Keith could not even guess. Grace gave Keith a •second cup of coffee and a cigarette and he leaned back with a feeling of comfort to which he had been a stranger for a iong time past. Grace lit a cigarette for herself and sat down close to Keith, with her back against a bould- er. She wore a sort of jerkin made of dressed .'deer's skin, a short skint of thorn proof tweed, woollen stock- ing's and stout brogues. A fur cap covered her dark hair, It seethed to Keith that she fitted perfectly into her surroundings, dan s • "New," she said in. that deep rich voice wihieh he remembered so well. "If you feel up to it, Mr. Marlow, we should like to know what brought you to such pass." ,. IS THERE NO I;OPE FOR THEM"easierIt was easier to tell his story to Grace than to her father,yet even it hurt Keith bitterly to recall the cud of his two. companions. Grace saw it and her face softened. ""Is there no hope for thein, Mr. Marlow?" she asked gently. He shook his head. "None that I can see." There was silence a minute then Grace spoke again. "You got here afoot. But how did you crows The Slit?" Keith noticed that Grace's father had taken his pipe out of his mouth and was leaning forward. An ugly suspicion entered his mined that Mr. Arden might have some connection with Marrable. Yet this did not seem passible. Arden mer might be a herd man, but he was certainly not the sort to sell dope to Indians. And Keith would have staked his life that Gil, as. well as Grace, was straight. After a moment's the oment's consideration he decided to whole story. "I crossed The Slit in a canoe," he said, "in a canoe which I took from two sten who had a guard hut on a ledge a little way up the stream." "A. guard hut," Grace repeated, and: he saw how great was her Surprise. "But what is there to guard?" "The headquarters of the most dangerous gang in the North," Keith said deliberately. "Its head is a roan who calls himself Godfrey Wing, and it makes its profits,: by selling rot - gut liquor and dope to the Indians:" As he spoke Keith's eyes were on s h s rat y relieved. UNWILLING RESCUE "I have not forgotten Miss Arden's uck and kindness," he said warmly. shall never forget it. I. met Gil Sundance a fortnight ago and he to me that she was well. I take you have corse to meet Gil." "Yes," said Arden shortly. "He mild have been back some days ago d at last I grew anxious and came o• look for Mtn. I found him! in mp with a badly sprained wrist. He d had a fall during a portage." He used and looked at Keith. "You'd etter came over to our camp," he uggested. It struck Keith that Arden's in- tab= ntation was reluctant and was given 1 from y a sense of duty. Yet he himself could not afford to refuse it. He pretended not to notice and got up at once. "Thank you, Mr. Arden," he an- swered, "I am free to confess that T ani sadlyin need of a square meal and a blanket. All I have bad to eat in the past forty-eight hours is I abbit I was lucky enough to knock er with' my xifle,." Arden led the way down over the roken rocks to the water's edge ere a canoe was tied. - They gat and Arden drove the light crafd stream. Keith had been wondering 'C'ANOi TIME TABLE Trains will arrive at and depart from Clinton as follows: Buffalo and Goderich Div. a Going East, depart 6.43 a.m. ea Going East, depart 3.00 pm. 'Going West, depart 11.45 a.m. b Going West, depart 9.50 p.m. ea London, Huron at Bruce Going North, ar.i11.21', lye. 11.47 S.M. in Going South ar. 2.50. leave 3.08 p.m. up THURS., APRIL 4, 1940 s Arden'face, and he saw Arden's li tighten. ""He knaves," was Keith thought.' He turned to Grace a: saw the shocked look on her face. "I have heard of trappers giving liquor to Indians in exchange for furs," 'she said, ""brut I never imagin- ed a whole gang engaged iu male horrible traffic. Are you sure al: this, Mr..Meilow?" "Very definitely," Keith, bold hes. "Wilson and I have already destroyed one centre of this traffic, we have shot dawn one of Wing's aeroplanes and either killed os arrested several of his men. We were on our way to finish the job when the disaster of which I have told you occurred." Grace chew a' long breath. At the same time Keith could not help notie- ing that she iooke'd; at Min with a new expression in her eyes. He felt that he had gone up in' her estima- tion. She asked another question, "These men in the hut—how did you get the better of them?" Keith told briefly and modestly Ito* he had held up one guard and been forced to shoot the second, how he had spent the night in the hut and of :his narrow escape. next morn- ing. Arden spoke suddenly. "Then these men know that you have escaped?" "They know I, 'got to the top of the cliff," Keith answered. "Didn't_ they come after you?" "I'd smashed up their canoe with rifle bullets and sunk it," said Keith. "There'd be n• o following me until! they had made iter seaworthy again." "And how long would that take?" Keith looked at the ether in some surprise. "They might do it in a day if they had the tools, but personally I don't think they would waste time chasing me. They knew I had no food and would be fairly sure that I should play out from hunger and exposure." "I'm not so sure. This man Wing must look on you as a danger to him and his gang. It is my belief that he would not rest until he was certain you were dead." Suddenly Keith understood. Arden was afraid of Marrable's gang — afraid that they would interfere with his business, whatever it was. He spoke up sharply.: '11f you can spare a canoe, Mr. Arden, and food for a couple of days,n I will go straight back dowriver. Then you will not be embarrassed by my presence." a thrill ran through him at the an saw ps l boundaries of this .secret valley, and CHAPTER XXVII TO THE SECRET VALLEY Grace started up. "You are entirely mistaken, Mr. Marlow. My father has no such thought in his mind." She turned to her father. "Tell him, dad. Make him understand.' "Grace is right, Mr. Marlow," Ar- den said quickly. "I' should not dream of letting you return alone, especially in your present condition. In any case we could not spare a canoe, for there are four of us as well as the stores which Gil aur Indian Jim have brought.' Keith was perfectly certain that Arden was talking merely to please Grace and that actually he was des- perately anxious to be rid of his guest. On the other hand, it was probaby true that, ile could not spare a canoe. He made the only possible allawer. "I apologize if I mistook your meaning, Mr. Arden. But I should be extremely sorry if I was the cause of running you and yam' daughter into danger. How would it be if I rain e ar ed hero wideou roto y tot to— wherever you are going, I could watch the river and prevent any of these villians passing, and later you could send a canoe for rte." It was plain that this suggestion appealed d to Arden, But Grace spoke. "Nonsense, Mr, Marlow! You will come back with us to the Valley, and Indian Jiin will go back with you. He was hired only to help Gil with the stoma" Keith looked at Arden. He could clearly see that he was upset and anxious. But Arden could not well object to his daughter's decision. "Graceis right," he said. "That will be the best plan. Now we had, better turn in. We must be away as early as possible in the morning. With Mr. Marlow to help, we need not wait for Gil's wrist to heal." Even if partly crippled, Gil was competent as ever. He provided Keith with a sack stuffed with grass as mattress, and under a couple of blankets Keith had an excellent night's rest and woke, feeling a new man. The pasty ate their breakfast by firelight and the sun had not yet risen whenthey stared up stream. Grace, her father and Gil were in cite canoe, while Keith and Indian Jim took charge of the other, which held the stores, The Indian was a silent man, but knew his job, and now that Keith had got back his. strength, the two maanaged the laden canoe easily enough. The river here was wider, but snore shallow than lower 'downs, the current was not so swift, and: the only danger was from the Tacks; Which here and there were dangerous- ly near the surface. As the morning went on the scen- ery began to change. The cuffs, though still high, were .mare broken,. Here and there patches of grass and low bushes grew in the clefts, Far to the North-East Keith caught a glimpse of snowy summits floating like clouds against the blue sky.'. These, he felt sure, must be the that before long he would set eyes on this unknown land. "CANOE COMING!" Midday thane and Arden turnecl..his canoe and drove it into a small silo stream. Keith followed and was tying up at the mouth but Arden called to, hint to push it further, He dict so without cam/neat anci climbed out on to a rock terrace which 'washidden from the main stream. Paddling foe hours on trill is a cramping business and Keith was grateful to stretch his legs, but Gil, Grace, and Indian Jim wasted no time in setting ant a Intal and within a very few minutes dinner was ready. "How long before we get to the Valley?" Keith asked Grace. "Two days if the river doesnot rise again," she told him. "And who is this man they call "The Tamer?' he inquired. Grace gave. him a curious look. "Youhave heard of him?" slip asked. quickly. "Tuzu spoke of hien: I take it that he is a sort of Grey Owl?" Grace atoddod. "You can take it that he is some- thing of that suet. But I can't talk about him;, he doesn't like it." Keith's eyebrows rose a little. This was getting "curiauser and curious~ er." Was this mysterious• valley drivel- ler merely a hermit oe had he +scone inure sinister reason for refusing to be known or talked about? Was it possible that he had something to do with Marrable and. Co.? While Keith was pondering over this problem Arden spoke. "You said, Mr. Marlow, that you destroyed a 'plane belonging to this man, Wing. How long ago was this?" "About three weeks. The men were trying to machine-gun us, and Wil- son, with a lucky shot, killed the pilot and the 'plane crashed." Arden nodded. "Do you know if he has a second 'plane?" was his next question. "I don't know, but on the whole I should lather think not or he Would have used it to find out whether I was alive or dead." Arden looked distinctly relieved and they finished their meal in sil- ence. Keitlt noticed that Gil, who had eaten quickly, had left them and climbed the rocks above the shelf on which they sat. Keith was +helping Grace to wash the dishes when Gil came rapidly back. Ile spoke to Arden. "Canoe, she came. Three men. They have gats." Arden's face went grim. "I renew it," he muttered, and snatched up ,itis rifle. "These are some of your friends, Marlow," he added bitterly. "We must stop them. They can't be allowed to reach the Valley.' (CONTINUED NEXT ISSUE) iY! WED IN HOSPITAL AT GODERICIi Romance of 40 years' standing had a happy ending last week when Thomas Sillib, 67,, of Taber, Alta., was rnarrled to Anmanda Macdel, 63, of Goderich, at Alexandra Hospital, Rev, D. J. Lane, Presbyterian min- ister, officiating. When the groom came from the west two years ago he found his' bride-to-be in hospital convalescing frons a serious' operation. The wed= dipg -tall for weeks :been fixed for Thursday, the bride's birthday, and with the consent of physicians and hospital authorities, it went ahead as scheduled. • Forty years 'ago the bridegrooms worked, in the tannery of the bride's father at Benmiller.'Thirty-five years age he went west to seek his fortune. In all that time he !lave been east but once and that was 28 years ago. The bride is a highly respected citizen of the community and there were two main reasons. why she did not starry at an earlier age. For 10 years she nursed her blind father and for 30 years she nursed her invalid. mother. As long as they lived she vowed never to massy. Both are now dead. Her life has been one of sac- rifice and devoted service. But Miss Macdel looked happy and lovely as he sat propped up in bed with pillows, wearing a corsage of pink roses, sweet peas and fern, the bridegroom standing alongside. Her special nurses, Mrs. Lou Maslcell and Miss Mary Greene, were witnesses to the ceremony. The Wedding had all the frills of a smart house affair. The solarium, into which the bride's bed had been wheeled, was aglow with daffodils and iris. Pink carnations adorned a two-tier welding cake. Dr. Harold Taylor proposed the toast. The wed- ding couple amide a fitting reply. Miss Margaret McCorl,.indale, super- tendent, and Miss Marion Chambers, assistant, received the guests. It was the first hospital welding ever held in Goderich and tate air of spring and what it brings filled the air of Alexandra institution all morning as the nursing staff busied themselves'''with preparations. A. H. MUSGROVE, WINGIIAM, DIED Postmaster and Former Member of Legislature WINGIIAM —Armstrong H. Mus- grave, postmaster here since 1918, and former member of the Legisla- ture, died last Thursday after a brief illness. He marked his 86th birthday on election day, last Tuesday. Mr. Musgrove was born in Picker- ing township. A school teacher in his earlier years, he taught at Bluevale and Whitechurch, and in 1890, he was appointed principal of Wingham High School. In 1908, he was elected Con- servative !member for Huron North, being returned in 1911. and 1914, and resigning in' 1918, to become post- master at Wingham. A keen student of labor conditions, Mr. Musgrove was a member of the Legislature committee which formu- lated the original Workmen's Com- pensation Act. He rues a member of the board of Wingham United Church, and was prominent in the Orange Order. He was married in 1881 to Margaret Simpson, of Cuirass. township, who survives. He also leaves three daugh- ters, Mrs. W. G. Greer, Wingham; Miss Earnscliffe, of Buffalo, N.Y., and Mrs. Stanley Smith, of Guelph; and one brother, Dr. 'George Mus- grove, of Niagara Falls, Ont. 3/4% On Guaranteed Trust Certificates A legal investment for Trust Funds Unconditionally Guaranteed TIDE STERL C `RUSTS CORPORATIOte STERLING TOWER TORONTO BUSfNESS PEOPLE TEACHERS STUDENTS No natter what year need for a portable typewriter may be you will want to get the most for every dollar you invest'in a personal writing machine. Considered from every angle, pour choice should be one of the new UNDERWOOD TYPEMASTER PORTABLES. Pr cc Pay for your Underwood Portable on convenient terms adjusted to your budget. FOR PARTICULARS INQUIRE AT The Clilitoll Haws- :geoid ---• PHONE 4 -- 1