Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-12-27

up the association existing between the
pards; provided she ever reaches Good
Luck. If she does not succeed in so do
ing. it will be because Bobby Sturgis.
the prince of the reins, meets with dis
aster among the dangerous passes. The
veteran driver has always pulled through
on time SO far, but-here is the terrible
blizzard at hand. That is sufficient
cause to give the men dire forebodings
of i'll.
IF it keeps on, Harry, we'll have to
cut down our daily supplies"
The speaker, tall, bony man, with
thick, black beard covering bis gaunt
face, was seated before the fire, oiIing a
revolver.
1T is fearful night, Jack; the air is
as keen as razor. Do you think we'll
get the full effect of the blizzard soon2"
asked the other occupant of the cabin.
He was slight of figure and erect as
pine. A loose mass of silken, yelloWish
hair falling about his neck, gave his
rosy face a girlish look. Under that
white, satin skin of his were muscles of
steel. And that he knew how to use
them had been proven on more than one
occasion. His face grew pale as he
spoke-the nervous twitching of his
heart. The other looked up as he re-
piled:
mo man can count on the 'bliZzard,'
Harry; the sun may be shining one
minute and the next hid behind the
fearful snow clouds. Toe been out in q
blizzard
what is the result of a blizzard
Jack?' asked the other, nervously.
Death generally, Jack. Eve seen
an entire camp-men, horses, and cattle
left frozen stiff, dead in the wake of
the monster
'And-if a woman should be out in
this fearful storm, what would be her
chancesF'
Il tell you, Harry, the blizzard
freezes the marrow in the strongest
mans bones. and drives the breath out
of his lungs. A woman-she would
droop, like the fragile lily from its
stem, when touched by the icy blast
Why, what do you mean, Harry? I
trust no woman will be out in the
storm"
Jack, | have not been square with
you, my pard," said Harry; drawing a
stool to the fire and seating himself.
Look here, Harry, l don't like that
from even you. If any other man living
had said that, he would be a corpse ere
the words died upon his lips. Yoa not
square? Why, Harry, who has been my
pard for three years? You. Who has
bunked with Surly Jack. and put up
with his fits of blue devils? You. Who
nursed me through the terrible mountain
fever, last summer? You. Harry, no
man ever had a squarer pard than I've
got" The speakers words came from
the heart. II he had an affection for
human being, it went out in great waves
of love-rude, though warm, toward his
pard, the name which means father,
brother, all, out here in the great West.
Jack, | thank you; | know you mean
it all, still, say, I've not been square
with you"
Harry, explain your words"
Jack, my aOlfe is on her aoGy here
The hammer of Jacks revolver fell
with sharp click. He rose, went to
the window, and gaZed out. Nothing
there but darkness, black and impene-
trable. After long silence he came
over to his pard's side, and asked, as he
laid his hand upon the other shoulder:
Are you married man, Harry2'
Il am. May | ask you the same"
Stop, Harry. There are some things
in mans life which are not pleasant to
recall. Tell me about your wife" There
was sad tone in the speakers words,
and even the thick beard could not
conceal the tense strain OF the facial
| muscles.
There's not much to tell, Jack, only
that am the husband of the smartest
woman Virginia ever produced
My Godl Did you say Virginiaf"
quickly interrupted Jack, stepping
back.
Yes, Virginia's fairest daughter,
Clara
"CZarai softly whispered Jack, as he
went to the window
CLARA Morley
''Ah, go on, Harry; tell me ALL" The
words, low and sad came from the very
bottom of Jacks heart
why, Jack, what makes you act so
Strangely But l will tell you all in a
very few words. if you care to listen.
First look upon this scar" said Harry,
loosening his shirt front and throwing
it back. A shudder passed over the
other, as he came and gazed upon the
livid slash upon the white skin over the
heart.
"How-how came you by that" asked
Jack.
was from we nand Oh a jealous
rival. Bruno Arnot.''
Bruno Arpot! Go on"
His knife was found by my side.
After recovered, l married Clara Nor
ley. As for the coward VINO struck me
down in the darkness, he was never
heard of afterward.'
''And you expect your wife, to-mor-
rowY'