The true northerner., 1883-10-11

only To Plneyllle.
What for?"
"To see about some powder and
stuff
THAT is untrue. You are going to
spend the day with worthless compan-
ions, and you will come back stupid
with liquor. Rube, listen to me.
have stood all which it is possible for
me to endure. 1 have prayed and en-
treated you To abandon habit which
has dsgraced us both. My pleadings
have brought nothing. cannot and
will not have our child grow up to know
n father who is drunkard. If you re-
fuse to stay at home, 1 have said my
last say. Go to Pineville if you insist
on doing SO, but if you are not here so
Der by sunset, shall go with the baby
to fathers, and i'll this house L will
never set foot again.
That's all talk" Rube answered in n
rough, joking and half serious fashion.
"Why, it's fifteen miles to Pineville.'
mo matter" was the finn rejoinder.
II will make the start if the child and
freeze to death on the way"
Look out for wolves" Rube laughed
again. There has been half dozen
soon lately 1t has been a hard winter
for them, and they're almost starved. u
Wolves or no wolves" muttered
Kate. "I'll CO."
Rube hung about the house uneasily
for an hour or so, then rugged himself
out, leggings, buffalo coat, gun and all.
Kate worked away and said never a
word. He opened the door, and with
out looking back, remarked:
I'll be here by sunset"
See that you are" was the reply.
IF you come here later, the house will
be empty"
The wife watched his form across the
clearing and saw it disappear in the
heavy timber which circled the cabin.
She turned TO her household duties,
but had no heart for them. Well she
knew Rube Wexford would break his
last promise, as he had broken others
before it. If so he must abide by the
result. She was determined.
The day went by at snails pace, and
the afternoon seemed never ending.
Kate fondled the baby, listened to her
crow and cry, and fed her a dozen
times. Then she prepared supper, and
sunset came when it was completed.
But it brought no Rube. Another hour
and still he was absent. So the mo-
ments passed until the clock struck 10.
The baby was fast asleep. Kate rose
from chair at the cradles side, look
of firm determination on her face, and
opening the cabin door, peered across
the clearing. Not soul was visible
She closed the door, went to the chest,
and took from it pair of fashioned
skates whose steel runners cleaned in
the tire-light. She laid them ready for
use and proceeded to wrap herself as
warmly as possible. Then she bundled
the baby in the same manner, lifted her
tenderly in her arms, and with the
skates slung over her shoulder, started
across the clearing. After reaching tho
timber she left the beaten path and
made for the river. 1t was coated
heavily with ice, and the strong winds
had blown it almost free from snow,
leaving nearly naked surface. Kate
laid the baby down for few moments
while she fastened on her skates. Then
she lifted her baby once moro and
started for Pineville, fifteen miles
away. The moon shone brightly, she
was wonderful ly-rapid skater, and she
knew not the slightest suspicion of fear.
Rube Wexford sat near the warm fire
which was surrounded by dozen men
besides himself He had been there
for hours listening to anecdotes of hunt
ers' lives, even adding to the general
fund with some of his own experiences,
but, though his companions coaxed and
persuaded him, they could not prevail
upon him to taste liquor. This was
something so entirely new that many
laugh and joke was had at his expense.
He answered all persuasions to imbibe
in the same way, saying only, "Not to-
day, boys; not TO day"
When sunset came he was still in his
seat. He wanted to be home, he want
ed to keep his promise, but he thought
he would wait while and start later,
so as it would not look to Kate too
much as if he were giving in. So
thinking he went to q quiet corner by
himself, and had not been there long
before he fell asleep. 1t was III o'clock
when lie awoke with start, and said
hurriedly:
What is it, Kate?"
A loud roar of laughter brought him
to his senses, and rough voice cried:
"Rube, guess you have been dream
ing"
Yes" he replied, foolishly; 81
thought my wife was calling me-"
He glanced at the clock and said:
Boys, / must 60"
Have something before you leave"
was the general cry.
/, No, no; not tonight.
Then he was gone. His conscience
smote him as he trudged through the
snow. 1t would be after o'clock when
he reached home. One thing consoled
him somewhat-he was sober. But
would Kate be in the cabin when he
returned? OF course, she must be.
Nothing short of madness could tempt
her to keep the rash vow she made in
the morning. So thought Rube. This
was because he was incapable of es-
timating the great suffering which he
had caused his wife.
On he went until through the still
ness of the night was borne to his ears
the sound of falling waters. 1t pro-
ceeded from n spOt which marked the