Oregon City High School - Hesperian Yearbook (Oregon City, OR)

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10 THE HESPERIAN The Qllnnflict Eternal CHAPTER I. The sky looked black and threatening while an occasional fore' boding rumble, accompanied by a vivid flash of lightning, was heard rolling among the mountain peaks. Night was rapidly lowering his dusky wings over the Sierra Nevadas, when a single horse and rider passed up the steep, rocky slope. High precipitous walls leaned over the narrow trail, threatening to crush the lonely traveler. Almost without notice the path turned abruptly to the right. As he reached the summit, the horseman halted. Directly below him nestling between rocky walls, was a small valley. The trail ahead was treacherously narrow and descended rapidly into the valley. Wearilyf the rider dismounted, and throwing the reins over his arm strode ahead. As he neared the bottom the trail widened. Mounting again, he rode on until he came in sight of a small town, consisting chiefly of log cabins. W The only light visible was that in a large log building near the end of the street. Riding up to the door, he saw a hardy mountaineer, lying asleep on the ground near the steps. He lightly touched the sleeper with his riding whip. The man staggered to his feet. 'lThat you, Dave ? he muttered sleepily. I guess I went to sleep. No, replied the rider, a stranger in these parts, can you tell me where I could stay all night ? 'fWhat's that?,' cried the mountaineer, springing forward and grasping the horse's head, Hstranger? VVho are you ? t Allen H. Browning, of Kentucky. Oh, you are eh ? VVell come in and tell that to the boys! Parker therel Take this horse? A short, thick man appeared out of the dark. Browning was jerked out of the saddle and shoved within the door. The dance ceased and several tall men crowded about him. A Hello, what's this ?,' demanded one who appeared to be leader. Wher did you get him ?l' Out there, indiacting Browning,s Captor. He wants to know where we can put him tonight. Black suspicion spread over the leaderis face. Who are you? What's your business? Speak up! Browning of Kentucky. I'm on a hunting trip and have been in these hills for a fortnight. I don't believe himf' broke in a sandy-faced man, shrugging his humped shoulders and swinging his long arms, which hung nearly to his knees, causing him to have the appearance of a gorilla. He

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THE HESPEMAN 7 Q Bingham Zin Cniahhage t Phineas Phillips dropped with the noonday heat from his account- ant's stool, waiting dully for the cashier's assistant, who was briskly passing in and out of the wickets of Holloway and Company's dingy offices. He finally came with his little wooden compartments containing thin envelopes and with cheerful dexterity extricated one and threw it upon the open ledger. So long, Phin. Hope you have a good Sunday, said the assist- ant cashier. Same to youf' mumbled Phin, as he noticed the thinness of the envelope, having long ago given up the hope of it ever being fat. But each Saturday a sickening feeling seized him until he found it no thinner. A A crisp ten, a five and a one dollar bill rewarded his search and he breathed easily again. He had paid his expenses last week and there were now sixteen dollars between him and starvation. Phin, a worried voice quivered with mock jauntiness at his shoulder, can you lend me a five, old boy? My wife-well you know-I need the cash. l'll pay you back next week. Thanks awfully! You're a prince. That's all right, Cobb, Phin replied, lt's a present for the baby. Keep itf, Phin turned around on his high stool and closed his desk with an air of finality. Something had snapped within him that had to do with the subtle refinement of his face and the strength of his well set jaws. He would never duplicate Cobb. He met the manager at the door of his office and said, I'1l not be back llonday, Nlr. Holloway. His voice sounded pinched, unlike his own. I'm leaving for good. Fired yourself, smiled the manager. What's up-a better job ?H No, nothing, said Phin and turned out of the disheveled offices, into the sizzling streets with his soul seemingly crumbling out of him. On his way out he met Miss Rundall, one of the stenographers. She was breathless and flurried and as he held the screen door back, the pretty fragility and the smile with which she greeted him seemed to grip him. She had never looked so tired before. He was now free. He wiped his forehead with a shaking hand. A panic of hunger seized him and he plunged into a restaurant, where men jostled each other. The rank odor of frying onions assailed the place and he ordered recklessly. Phin wandered aimlessly all afternoon and as he neared the cool open fields, he spied a hatless youngster and upon removing his own hat, he felt much like a boy himself. I'd like to live here, he said aloud. Right here and raise gar-

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I1i1LHE51iFSeN t.tt B to B- iiii I 11 answers the description of that detective Lon brought in yesterdayf' That makes no difference to us. He's a stranger! Lock him up, commanded the leader. Better search him first, Reggie, he might have papers, sug- gested the sandy-faced man, addressing the leader. That can wait, replied Reggie, his brow clouding, and Casting a warning glance in the speaker's direction. Browning was puzzled. Who were these savage looking moun- taineers, who seemed to regard a traveler with so much suspicion? He glanced toward the leaders, then gazed intently at the face of Reggie. Where had he seen that proud, yet crafty look before? Suddenly the leader looked up. Their eyes locked and held. Reggie paled, turned abruptly about, strode to the door and disap- peared into the darkness. VVell, lock him up till morning, said the sandy-faced man, there's no rush in deciding his fate. Browning was hurriedly escorted to a small cabin and thrust within. CHAPTER II. The storm broke in all its wild furry, great sheets of water pelting down on the roof. Lightning flashed, followed by crashes of thunder. Browning could not sleep. The leader's face would rise before his sleepless eyes as vivid as the lightning without. Near dawn the fury of the storm abated and the fresh mountain sunlight came pouring in at small square holes, cut in the logs, which served as windows. He looked about. The door was of hewn timber, securely bolted from without. The floor was of split logs with the oval sides down and the centers up. It would be useless to attempt to dig out. He next turned to the rude fire place but found that it was not large enough to accommodate his body. A slight noise caused him to turn quickly. Instead of facing his captors of the night before, he beheld a girl just entering. She stopped and her tanned cheeks flushed. 'fYour breakfast, sirf' she said with a dainty courtsy. She hesitated, doubtfully twisting her little brown hands. What did you come here for ? she asked. Browning started. It was the last thing he expected. I don't know. I didn't know I was coming until I arrived. Father thinks you are an officer! No stranger ever comes here and gets out alive, she shuddered. It's awful, but he-he, kills them!', Browning looked bewildered, VVhat place is this? NVho is your father? Ilm only a harmless hunter, and have lived for two weeks by my rod and gun. What will they do with me? Shoot me ?:' 'Tm afraid so, she stammered. 'KNO one ever escapes. I heard