, 1883-11-10
"why, it's fifteen miles to

jOinder,-'I will make the start if
the child and l freeze to death by the
way"
"LoOk out for wolves" Rube
laughed again. "There has been
half a dozen seen lately. 1t has been
hard winter for them, and they're
almost starved"
evolves or no wolves" muttered
Kate, "Pn CO."
Rube hung about the house un-
easily 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. without 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 house
hold duties, but had no heart for
them. Well she knew Rube Wex-
ford would break his last promise, as
he had broken others before it, II
so he must abide by the result. She
was determined.
The went by at a snaiPs 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 moments passed
until the clock struck ten. The baby
was fast asleep. Kate rose from a
chair at the cradles side, a look Of
firm determination on her face, and
opening the cabin door, peered
across the clearing. Not a soul was
visible. She closed the door, went
to the chest, and took from it a pair
of old-fashioned skates whose steel
runners cleaned in the tire-light.
She laid them ready for use and pro-
ceeded to wrap herself as warmly as
possible. Then she bundled the baby
in the same manner, lifted her ten
derly in her arms, and with the
skates slung over her shoulder,
started across the clearing After
reaching the timber she left the
beaten path and made for the river.
1t was coated heavily with ice, and
the strong winds had blown it al
most entirely free from snow, leaX55
laid the baby down for a few mo-
ments while she fastened on her
skates. Then she lifted her baby
once more and started for Hnineville,
fifteen miles away. The moon shone
Urigntly, she was wonderful rapid
skater, and she knew not the slight
est suspicion Of fear.
Rube Wexford sat near the warm
fire which was surrounded by a
dozen men beside himself. He had
been there for hours listening to an
ecdOtes Of hunters lives, even add
ing to the general fund with some Of
his own experiences, but though his
companion cOaxed and pursuaded,
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
wanted 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 a quiet
corner by himself, and had not been
there long before he fell asleep. 1t
was II o'clock when he awoke with
a start, and said hurriedly;
"What is it, Kate ?"
A loud roar of laughter brought
him to his senses, and a rough voice
cried:
"Rube, guessyou 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 two O'Clock
when he1reached home. One thing
consoled him somewhat; he wa
sober. But would Kate be in the
cabin when he returned? OF course
she must be. Nothing short of mad
ness could tempt her to keep the rasf
VOW she made in the morning. 81
thought Rube. This was because HI
was incapable Of estimating the grca
suffering which he had caused hi
/ wife.
On he went until through the still
ness Of the night was borne to hi
! ears the sound Of falling waters. l
, proceeded from a spot which marked
4 the half way between Pineville an'
his own home, and was caused b!
a the river tumbling down deep de
scent Of fifteen or twenty feet o
3 rugged rocks. His road at this Poin
I Law close to the river bank, and sool
! he was in full view OF the cascade
A NurfNh