—TI can still keep the old dogs a-moving, baby.” Jean laughed. “Sure Dan, I'd love to dance,” she answered, rising and pulling her cloak about her. “But, Dan—in this raiment? I’m afraid I shouldn’t. It would hardly be proper. Shame on you, Dan Stewart.” “Tt’s okay with me, babe, as I said be- fore. J don’t mind—that is, if you don’t mind. Let’s—huh?” “Sure—tlet’s!” remarked Jean, and Dan got his arm about her and the two swung into the middle of the dancing floor. Dalg- “Gateway to the Great North Country” ASHCROFT HOTEL Established 1883 Operated by Ashcroft Hotel Co. Ltd. AL JOHNSON, Manager Headquarters for Commercial Travellers, Tourists and Miners FULLY LICENSED ASHCROFT, BRITISH COLUMBIA MARK DUMOND HARDWARE McCormick-Deering Farm Implements CHEVROLET CARS and TRUCKS e ASHCROFT, B.C. leish remained seated at the table, his head on his hand, as he surveyed the scene. Jean and Dan had hardly started, when a young man, accompanied by another older man, showed in the doorway and stood in the shade of it, hidden partly by the palms. They had the appearance of other guests, who kept coming and going throughout the evening, suggesting nothing sinister in any- thing they did. But quite suddenly a shot rang out and a scream penetrated the air. At the same moment, the lights went out. There was wild excitement, hysterical talking and shouting, then the lights went on again as suddenly as they had gone out. The two strangers were no longer at the doorway. Dancing and the music had ceased. Sergeant Dalgleish sprang up and rushed towards the woman lying on the floor. It was Jean Coughborough. Dan Stewart was already pillowing her head and shouting frantically for help A red stain oozed up on Jean’s shoulder. Horror- stricken guests, excited waiters and mem- bers of the orchestra stood about helplessly. Jean’s face was deathly pale and her eyes were closed. x Ok Ok All this had had time and to spare to be- come an old sourdough’s story in the Cana- dian North West, particularly around Nor- ton’s Point and the Deer-Staveley Lake dis- trict. It had not taken Jean Coughborough long to recover from the bullet wound in her shoulder, and in due time she had gone home, North. The entire fur thieving gang, both at the shipping and the receiving ' Dalgleish had ridden and snow-shoed, hac ends, had been rounded up and were mak to suffer the penalties of their misdeeds and to all intents and purposes the cag was closed. Dan Stewart was back at th old stand, bellyaching his petty annoyance to ragged and moth-eaten Indians arounc Deer-Staveley post, while Sergeant Colir canoed the rivers-and trudged the North. ern trails for all of four years in the interest of Law and Order, with never a thought of Jean Coughborough, when the ghosts of the past came out of their graves and com. menced to play merry-ned with the puppets who still remained alive and above ground. The sergeant and a new recruit, Bob Greene, were struggling along in the teeth of a blizzard. The going was soft on ac count of fresh snow and the tempers of the men were on edge after an all-day snow-shoe journey. The dogs continued to tug and strain, sensing in their own way the end of their day’s toil. Sergeant Dalgleish was ahead, breaking trail. He came back to his assistant as the team stopped for a breather. “Hard going,” yelled Dalgleish. “We're near to Norton’s Point. Guess we'll stop there for the night at Dave Protheroe’s place.” “Any port in a storm,” shouted Con- stable Greene. “I’m ready for bye-bye any time you say, sergeant.” “No doubt you are, Bob! be worse at that.” Constable Greene gave a good-natured But it could SPENCES BRIDGE HOTEL FULLY LICENSED Dining Room and Cafe ® . SPENCES BRIDGE - B.C. * IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE SHOULDER STRAP * FULLY LICENSED ova BOSTON BAR HOTEL MARTIN STRANGE, Proprietor “WHERE, OLD FRIENDS MEET” Hot and Cold Running Water Dining Room in Connection Boston Bar, Bones Columbia COMMODORE CAFE Tourist and Commercial Headquarters THE FINEST CAFE IN THE INTERIOR KAMLOOPS British Columbia Page Sixty-eight THE SHOULDER STRAP