Newspaper Page Text
CODE
of the
NORTH
▼ ▼ ▼
by
HAROLD TITUS
Copyright by Harold Tltua
WNtf Service
SYNOPSIS
Stephen Drake, with hia four-year
old eon, la rescued from a blizzard by
Jim Flynn, big timber operator, and
Drake, until hi« death, Impresses on
the boy, Steve, the debt they owe “Old
Jim." Twenty years later, Steve meets
“Younsr Jim” Flynn, his benefactor’s
ion. Sent by Old Jim, Incapacitated
through an accident in which Kate,
his daughter, Is temporarily blinded,
to take charge of the company's—the
Polaris—woods operations, the youth Is
indulging in a drunken spree. Hoping
to do something for Old Jim, Steve
hastens to the company’s headquarters,
finding Franz plotting against the
Flynn interests. Worsting Franz In a
fist fight, the Polaris crew assumes
that Drake Is Flynn's son, and he
takes charge, as “Young Jim.” A pho¬
tograph of Kate intrigues him im¬
mensely. Steve gains the friendship of
DaFane, woods scout. Franz discovers
Drake’s impersonation. Threatened
♦vith disclosure, Steve accuses Franz
of attempting to murder him, exhibit¬
ing evidence, and the man dare not
act. Steve Fends Da Fane to find Young
Jim and sober him up. Steve wins the
friendship of MacDonald, who owns
timber land vital to the Flynn inter¬
ests and the Scotsman gives him an
option for Polaris to buy his timber.
Franz plans to put .Steve out of the
way, but the latter outwits him. Know¬
ing Drake has wired Kate at Chicago,
Franz steals her reply from the tele¬
graph office and learns that $25,000 Is
to be forwarded, and the time of its ar¬
rival. lie plans to steal the $25,000.
Kate, bringing the money, cornea to
headquarters. Her eyes are bandaged,
and before Steve has to betray hirn
celf by speech a forest fire alarm is
sounded. Drake hastens to take charge
of the fire fighters.
, CHAPTER VIII—Continued
— 15 —
A second serious blaze was develop¬
ing, set by sparks from Ids backfire,
end wallowing through the down-stuff
a half dozen men followed him to an¬
other Interval of heart breaking, lung¬
searing work.
■'Coming great, lads!" he cried when
that particular engagement was won.
“That’s the stufT that makes littlo
poker hands win and licks fires!"
They grinned at him.
“All right, Mae. She’s cooler, now.
Cross over and touch off some more.
Give us n few minutes every ten rods
nr so and don’t get caught yourself.
Keep to the west of your backfire all
the time."
lie made his way eastward, mount¬
ing a sharp little knoll so he could
have a fair view of the terrain.
He could hear his backfire snapping
and muttering as it worked away
from him; could see McNally setting
more. On beyond, great plumes of
smoke gushed upward erupttvely ns
the front of the main fire opened and
closed again. Its points Joining forces
here and there to create great quanti¬
ties of gas.
It was coming rapidly. Two, per¬
haps three miles an hour that front
was traveling. His backfire was small
and relatively cool, and still he had
held the first section of It hv the skin
of his teeth! What would happen if
the main fire reached the creek before
he had burned a gap all across its way,
or If the wind rose higher to make it
roll even more rapidly?
For a full half mile to the west¬
ward that backfire must he laid In be¬
fore the front of the burning area
would he wholly blocked. McNally,
observing the quickening advance of
the main front, worked rapidly, fin¬
ished his task and then, red-eyed and
coughing, his shirt scorched on the
breast, came floundering across the
stream nnd joined those who fell upon
the spots of fire started by raining
spnrks borne across the creek. It did
not seem to Steve that his crew could
possibly hold the pnoe for the length
of time that would be required.
He needed men. now; nil along this
battle line he needed them; more
men and fresh men, because an hour
In there was more exacting than a
dozen at ordinary labor.
And the men were coming. At
least, two men. They had been com¬
ing down the Good-Bye since early day
and ns they saw the smoke they came
faster, paddling In quick cadence.
They were stnlwart men. I.aFane, In
?he stern, sat as straight as a proud
Indian. The other was not quite so
large of frame, not so deep In color,
hut young Jim Flynn’s eyes were clear,
his mouth set In a line of assuring
firmness and he bore his share of
the task with relish. A different hoy.
this, from the one who had been kid¬
naped from his camp In a drunken
stupor days before: another lad than
the one who had defied his captor and
sulked and sworn that he would not
do as bidden. Resolution, ability
teemed to he his characteristics this
hot, windy morning as the canoe final
iy cut the waters of Good-Bye lake.
From the knoll on which ha was di¬
recting the redistribution of his forces.
Steve Drake could have observed the
landing of that canoe, but his eyes
and volition were centered on the
• rva ha aought to save from destruc
Mon so he was not aware of their ar¬
rival ontll they approached, I.aFane
In the lead.
The crew was now making a Valiant
effort to keep the backfire from cross¬
ing the road and finding a hold In that
hazardous area. Watching all this,
considering the possibilities of fail¬
ure, planning how he could get his
men back to the creek should they
take a licking over there, Drake gave
no special heed to the two who came
up to him. He was aware of their
coming, but took for granted that they
were of the crew,
“One of you—” he began, pointing
toward a place that needed guarding.
He stopped short. He had ad¬
dressed I.aFane. The upraised hand
sagged and then he turned to stare
at Young Jim.
The boy looked straight Into the
eyes of the man who, for these weeks,
had used his name. It was a hard
look, a square look, difficult to deter¬
mine because of its sobriety whether It
was one of regard or offense. And
then, after a moment, the lad smiled.
“You're Steve Drake," he Faid and
put out his hand.
Steve did not speak. lie was search¬
ing the other’s countenance and think¬
ing swiftly of what hinged on the na¬
ture of LaFarie’s handiwork. The real
Young Jim was here, now. Pretense
was done, a play ended. The Flynns
must from this hour take their des¬
tinies in their own hands and win or
lose.
He shot an Inquiring glance at Fa
Fane. The man’s lips twitched and
his eyes smoldered.
“You bet!’’ he said In response to
the unspoken query and his voice car¬
ried more enthusiasm than Drake had
ever heard In It before.
“Good!" lie muttered. “You’ve hit
the job at the right time, Jim! Until
now, I've run things high, wide and
handsome, but from now on—"
“Not yet, Drake! Ford, man, you’ve
got to stay on the job through this 1
I'm Just bringing In another pair of
hands and n tolerably good hack.
What’ll you have me do first?”
That was good sense. Even though
he was no longer even a usurper of
authority Steve could not even take
time to confer with the newcomer.
Ills task, this day, could not he shoul¬
dered on another.
But as he outlined what had hap¬
pened, what had been done, how he
had spread his forces, he was antici¬
pating: What would the men think,
when they knew? This boy, come to
take charge, must have them with him
from the beginning to avoid trouble.
Knowing what he had been they might
he reluctant to accept him for what
I.aFane evidently now believed him to
he. it was not going to he clear sail¬
ing for Young Jim.
“I.aFane, if you'll drop over to the
left, there, and spell some of the boys
who’re n!) In, It’ll help a lot. Flynn,
I’ll find a chore for you In n second.”
He started walking down the slope
with the older man, leaving Young Jim
alone.
The hoy stood there nnd drew a
hand that shook with excitement
across his lips. His Job! On the
ground, after such a start, and to en¬
counter such a complication for a be¬
ginning! FaFane's quiet redial of
Drake's achievement was In his mind,
now, nnd he was humble before his
past nnd the prospect of his fu¬
ture . . . and humble, ns well, be¬
fore the man who had used his name
with such effect.
As he stood there, the whirlwind
came. It swept across the unburned
slash between its point of origin nnd
the line of backfire, swinging In a ma¬
jestic terrible arc. At the top It was
a whirling cloud of smoke; at the tip
of Its dangling funnel, it was a shower
of sparks, and these, as Young Jim
watched, were sowed behind the fire
fighters In the bend. Grass burst
into flame; the wicked tongues found
hold In the conflagration In front of
them, were hedged In by an orange
barrier from the rear.
Young Jim cried out but bis voice
did not carry. He saw the ring of
flame rise and broaden, touching with
explosive tentacles all material close
by.
A half moon of unburned slash was
all that the men yonder had for safety.
All along the roadway before them fire
was running; behind, that ragged
semicircle of new flames was closing
gaps to wall them in. At the center
of this zone Jim mndo out a small
pond, a hundred feet across, perhaps;
it offered a haven of a sort. He raced
down the slope, tripping once and fall¬
ing, slashing his cheek on a sharp
stub, lie was up, cursing ns he wal¬
lowed In a deceptive pile of brush,
hidden by young growth, and threw
himself Into the creek, fighting his
way through the alders on the far
side.
He came out Into the chopping and
swung to the right, shouting once more
in an attempt to make those men
aware of their danger. The gap in
the line of fire for which he was
headed closed to solid flame as a
vagrant blast of air sent the blazes
crackling through dry grass.
He raced back to the left, seeking
a way through, but before he reached
the next opening that also closed. He
coughed from smoke, now, nnd his
eyes were tortured. The fire snapped
and piuffed at him ns If In conscious
mockery. He brushed tears from his
eyes and strove to locate the little
pond, trying to determine whether,
could he attract attention, those men
would be able to gain that one sanc¬
tuary In what, within minutes, would
be an Inferno. But smoke obscured
a view of the water. He found a
place between two windrows of litter
that was not yet ablaze. He edged
toward the narrow opening and re¬
coiled as the shirt curled on his shoul
ders-from the heat that beat upon him
from “ither side. He could not go
CLEVELAND COURIER
Into that; It was beyond human en¬
durance. And yet as a fresh puff of
wind struck him, he knew that he
must. Human lives depended on the
ability of his body and will to with¬
stand the ordeal of Ore.
He had only a dozen steps to take
before he would be through the worst,
and he held h!s lungs flat so he would
not breathe flame. The skin bulged to
blisters on bis neck, the hair on one
temple singed and he felt the fire
licking for his legs as he summoned
all of his strength, and with one final
effort, ran.
He was through, choking, weakened
by the heat, but through. He was
within the ring of fire, charging across
the acres that would be raging at any
Instant.
The men were losing their fight. At
three points the backfire had crossed
the road and was running, rolling with
the wind. They were still in front of
It, giving ground grudgingly, fighting
as they retreated, ready to come to a
full stand at the creek, and it was not
until this young stranger, blackened
nnd blistered, burst upon the nearest
trio who fought side by side that they
turned to see through the flowing hat*
that other wall of flame licking to¬
ward them from the rear.
‘‘Into the pond!” Jim croaked.
“You’re cut off, . . . The pond!”
One man dropped his shovel and fled
madly. The others clung to their
equipment as they made a break for
water.
Jim ran on to the next group, floun¬
dering and still trying to shout from
his smoke-hoarsened throat. McNally
finally heard him. He turned, saw
what was coming and ran.
A narrow ribbon of water was Just
at their left. It was the slender arm
of the pond, lying In a swale. Along
its edge (lame spears danced but it
offered a way through. They sank to
their thighs in the mire, gained the
deeper water of the pond and threw
themselves down, only their head*
above the surface, faces burled In the
green leatherleaf on the low hanks
which would not burn and which pock¬
eted life-giving air.
That was early afternoon. It was
four hours later before the burn bad
cooled enough to let them make a
break for the creek bank nnd cross.
On the high land yonder a wearied
but still vigilant line of men stood.
They had made their stand and had
won. At a thousand points snags and
stumps were burning but the back¬
fire had finally held, the red menace
was thwarted.
The group of men who followed
Young Jim across the creek were nat¬
urally undemonstrative nnd they
stopped on the higher ground and
looked self-conscious and foolish ns
others clustered around. Silently, one
of them took and shook Jim's hand
nnd more would have done the same I
had the boy not laughed them off.
But McNally grimly. had something to say
nnd said it
"If It hadn't been for you,” he de¬
clared, "six of us 'd ’ve fried to a
crisp. You done it. Whoever you are,
young man, you’re all there!"
Steve, standing at a little distance,
saw In the faces of the company the
thing that he had stirred himself on
his first evening at headquarlers; re¬
spect, admiration, an admission of
that superiority which makes men will¬
ing to follow another. But between
the two incidents was a difference. He,
Steve Drake, had only whipped a ras¬
cal; this Young Jim, now showing con¬
fusion himself, had saved lives. From
that moment on, those men of the
1’olaris crew were his to command.
CHAPTER IX
Evening, now, but It had been fresh
morning when Steve Drake left head¬
quarters.
Alone on the threshold of the store
Kate Flynn had stood ns the boats
buzzed away, fingers working against
her palms.
Old Tim Todd, the only one left
with her, limped back toward the
store.
"Who are you?" Kate asked sharp¬
ly as he approached.
"It's me. Tim Todd, Katie. Don't
you recollect—”
"Oh, Tim 1" She put ouk a hand,
groping for his and clutched his
gnarled old fingers tightly. “Tim, does
it look bad?”
“Well, Katie, It looks pretty bad;
but, then, it might look a lot worse,
too. I reckon they’ll get her down lr,
about two three Jerks. With Young
Jim on th’ job I guess even fire's
goin' to have a time of it, doin' much
damage."
"Yes, Jim . . the girl said, ns If
to herself. “Tim, tell me,”—quickly.
“Tell me nbout this . . . about
Young Jim."
“About him? Shoo! How could I
tell you anything about your brother?
He's turned things Inside out, here.
I'll he dusted if he ain’t done things
that nobody ever dremp' could be
done! He's better 'n a chip off th' old
block, I say
“Yes, he's done wonderfully well,’’
ths girl murmured and placed finger
tips against lips that still burned from
that strange kiss. "But tell me," she
began, resolved to learn something of
this man who had held her In his
arms, who was referred to as her
brother but who, she well knew, was
not her brother.
“Lordy, lookit her roll now!” the
old man moaned and Kate commenced
to tremble, torn as she was between
conflicting, and dramatic. Interests.
“Is It going fast? How does It look,
now?"
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
EnglUh Law
No English court of law could re¬
fuse to enforce a statute on the ground
that It conflicts with their constitu¬
tion.
HOUSING ADMINISTRATION TELLS
NOW TO SECURE REPAIR LOANS
A Statement in Which Every Reader Who Wishes to Im¬
prove or Remodel His Property
Will Be Interested.
Washington.—The Federal Housing
administration Is engaged in an elab¬
orate promotion campaign for the re
modillzation and repair of homes and
business property It is urging the
public to make repairs or to do such
remodeling of homes as would make
them more livable, and advising the
people that the national housing act
has made it possible to finance
through banks or other financial in¬
stitutions many such repairs or remod¬
elings that would not otherwise be
possible. As a means of explaining
the operations of this act the Housing
administration has issued the follow¬
ing statement:
1. You may have certain property
improvements already in mind—the
small investments that pay large divi¬
dends in better living. Perhaps it’s
light switches, paint, plumbing, plas¬
ter, or a complete remodeling Job. In
addition to the items you may have
planned already, check your property
against the list of repairs, alterations
and Improvements suggested In this
booklet.
2. Decide what Improvements you
can afford to make now—or at least
the Improvements you cannot afford to
neglect any longer.
3. Call a contractor, or—if it's an
Important job—an architect. Or get
in touch with your local better hous¬
ing committee if there is one In your
community. Any of these individuals
or agencies co-operating with the Fed¬
eral Housing administration will
gladly estimate the cost.
4. Then comes the question: Ilow
shall 1 pay for these improvements?
If you have the cash—cash Is the Ideal
way to pay.
But If you should find it more con¬
venient to pay out of your regular in¬
come—the investment is a sound one,
and now Is (he prudent time to go
ahead. The better housing program
has oiled the machinery of credit so
that you may pay easily nnd conven¬
iently for property Improvements
made at once.
Your contractor or supply denier is
In a position to co-operate.
Or you may arrange directly for a
low-cost, long payment loan with your
own local bank, building and loan as¬
sociation or other financial institution
co-operating with the government.
The way has been smoothed—the
future of your property is up to yon.
Here’s What You May Be Asking
1. Who may apply? Any property
owner. Individual, partnership or cor¬
poration, with a regular income from
salary, commissions, business or other
assured source. It Is not necesary to
be a depositor in the financial institu¬
tion consulted.
2. To whom do I apply? To any
national bank, state bank or trust
company, savings bank. Industrial
bank, building and loan association
or finance company approved by the
Federal Housing administration; or
to a contractor or building supply
3. Do I borrow money from the gov¬
ernment? No.
4. How much may I apply for?
From sioo to $2,000 depending on
your income, for improvements on any
property. A like amount In con
neotion with not more than five prop¬
($2,000 maximum on each). Ap¬
by the Federal Housing admin¬
istration, Washington. I). <’., must he
by the lender In advance for
loans on more than five properties.
5. How long may notes run? For
number of months from one to
years. (Notes extending from 37
months to five years may lie submitted
the Federal Housing administra
by financial institutions for spe¬
consideration.)
fi. What security is required? Only
you have an adequate regular in¬
and a good credit record in your
7. What assurance need I give?
(a) That you own the property.
under “repairing leases" may
under special circumstances
tlie local lending institutions
explain,
(b) That the annual income of the
of the note is at least five
the annual payments on tlie
(c) 1'hnt your mortgage, if any. is
good standing, nnd that there are
past due taxes, interest or liens
your property.
(d) That you will use the proceeds
for property Improvement.
8. What signatures are required?
of the property owner; and
in special cases) if the own¬
ts an Individual and is married,
signature of wife or husband.
other co-signers or endorsers are
!). What is the cost of this credit?
financial institution may not col¬
as interpst and/or discount and’or
of any kind, a total charge in ex¬
of an amount equivalent to $5
SICK) of the original face amount
a one year note, deductible in ad¬
For example: If you need $285 for
improvements, you might
a note for $300 payable In 12
monthly Installments. In this
the note would not bear Inter
because the maximum ehargp per¬
($15) would he Included in the
face of the note.
If von borrow a large amount, or
If you repay In equal monthly install¬
ments extending beyond one year—•
from 13 months to 3 years—the total
charge permitted would be at a pro¬
portionate rate.
10. Do I pay any other charge? No.
11. How does this cost compare?
Compared with ordinary GO or 90 day
bank loans, it is higher. Compared
with the same type of loans payable
’in monthly installments, it Is much
lower than heretofore available. The
reduced cost is made possible because
of tiie government credit insurance to
the financial institution.
This type of loan makes it possible
for you to spread tlie payments over
a long period. You do not have to
keep money on deposit with tlie insti¬
tution making the loan. You do not
have to give a mortgage. You need
not have friends or others sign your
note, and you reap tlie benefits of tlie
improvements now.
12. How do 1 pay the note? By mak¬
ing regular, equal, monthly payments
(seasonal payments for farmers and
others with seasonal income) until the
note Is paid in full.
13. May the owner of any kind of
property apply? Applications will be
considered for credit to improve one
family, two-family, or other residences;
apartment buildings, stores, office
buildings, factories, warehouses, farm
buildings.
14. Must 1 use specified building
material? No, you are investing your
own money (even though borrowed)
In better housing. There will be no j
restrictions on your rights as an own¬
er k> use such materials and employ i
such methods of construction as yov j
may decide—provided they meet the i
approval of (lie lending agency.
15. May ! borrow to buy housing j
equipment? Yes. if the equipment is !
nn Integral part of the improved
building. Furniture, refrigerators, ,
stoves, etc., are movables (unless built !
in) and are not permitted under terms i
of your loan. !
16. Where do 1 make payments? I
The regular Installment payments will I
be made in person at tlie place of busi¬
ness of the financial institution; or
by mail; or as otherwise arranged.
No payment shall be made to any gov¬ I
ernmental office or organization. :
17. May I pay the note in full be¬
fore maturity date? Yes. at any time.
A reasonable rebate will be allowed !
for prepayment, if charges have been
collected in advance. :
18. May I pay more than one install¬
ment at a time? Yes. as many as yiu
wish, hut siicli payments should be
in exact multiples of the agreed pay¬
ments—that is, if monthly payment is
*10. advance payments should total
$20. $30, etc.—not. for example, odd
sums such as $1S or $25.
10. What if I am late in making my
payments? The maker must not per¬
mit his payments to fall in arrears.
Should a payment lie more than 15
days late, tlie financial Institution's
expense, caused thereby, may he re¬
imbursed in part at the rate of not
more than five cents per dollar for
each payment in arrears. Persistent
delinquency will make It necessary
for tlie financial institution to take
proper steps to effect collection in full.
Note: If you are not eligible for
a loan under the terms of the national
housing act, you may he eligible for
a conditioning loan from the Home
Owners' Loan corporation, widen has
recently established a reconditioning
division. Any one of tlie banks in your
community will advise you where to
make your application,
HEBE’S HOW TO SAFEGUARD
YOUR INVESTMENT
Your own judgment will tell you
that you must invest wisely and
thoughtfully—if you would reap the
maximum in benefits from property
improvements. Here are "a few points
to remember:
1. Select good workmen. You should
personally know tlie contractor or
workman who will handle your job or,
if not. check his reputation for re¬
sponsibility and skill. Probably the
only effective safeguard as to price is
the securing of competitive bids.
You should riot pay for the work or
sign a note covering the cost ef the
work without receiving a written guar¬
antee.
2 Recondition—in its best sense.
No lte'rn of repair, alteration or im¬
provement should he an attempt to
conceal building defects which are
more fundamental. If the work in¬
volves a large expenditure cr major
changes in a building—that is. if it
Involves alterations and new construc¬
tion rather than mere repairs. It is
wise to consult an architect or engi- :
neer. Your saving will he much great- I
er than his fee. which may he included
■
In the loan.
3. Consider the neighborhood and
the character of the property to be
improved Ousts and benefits should
be weighed against the bnilding’s fu¬
ture and its surroundings. If your
application is rejected because of un¬
favorable neighborhood conditions,
you may still become eligible for «'
loan by enlisting a substantia] group
of neighbors in a general neighbor¬
hood improvement plan.
4. Increase the value of your prop¬
erty of by the as much—or more’than—the
cost work.
Frock That Makes
Its Own Appeal
PATTERN 9905
1
fi iiM 14 ^
Probably you are already quite
prepared to pounce upon this design.
It usually has that effect. If you
are a woman who “budgets" and
counts her pennies, we are dead eer
tain about your frame of mind. It
will be simply devastating in any of
those pretty inexpensive cotton prints
—and Bridget will beam on you when
it goes to the laundry. Those grace¬
ful sleeve flares alone, not to men
tion the scalloped details, are enough
to make a woman decide she cannot
live without it.
Complete, diagrammed sew chart
included.
Pattern 9905 may lie ordered only
In sizes 12, 14, 10, 18, 20, 30, 32. 34.
36. 38, 40 and 42. Size 16 requires
3% yards 36-incli fabric and % yard
2-incli ribbon.
Send FIFTEEN CENTS in coins
or stamps (coins preferred) for this
pattern. Be sure to write plainly
your NAME, ADDRESS, the STYLE
NUMBER AND SIZE.
Send your order to tlie Sewing Cir¬
cle Pattern Department, 232 West:
Eighteenth Street, New York.
#SMILESj>
THE GALLERIES
“Did you visit any art galleries
while you were abroad?"
“No,” answered Senatbr Sorghum.
“Every town I struck seemed to have
been turned into a shooting gallery.”
Knows From Experience
Basil—What on earth will your
father say when he knows we’re en¬
gaged?
Barbara—Oh, he'll lie delighted.
He always is.
Holding Her Own
They met a, ter ten years.
"Has your wife kept her charm¬
ing figure?"
“Kept it? She has doubled it."—
Per I.ustige Sachse (Leipzig).
A Problem
“Convict 99, come out. Your wife
to see you.”
“Which one?”
“I said your
“Y*es, but I am here for bigamy."
Probing
The Suitor—There isn't much I
can say for myroff. I'm just a plain,
citizen and a taxpayer.
The Sire—A taxpayer, eh? Income
tax or dog tax?
\
