Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-22

Ss1V pGC
yet, gentlemen. a woman is on her
way here, even now" remarked the
landlord.
What" not in this weather. asked
Dave Hardy in establishment.
Its true. When Bobby Sturgis rein
ed his nags up before the door, previous
10 starting out on his last trip, | heard a
man say to him. ''bcsnrc and bring her
through all safe, Bobby" responded the
landlord.
who was the manf' asked q chorus
Of voices.
"Light-Haircd Harry" returned the
landlord, as he handed out a bottle ant
glass to n frosty pilgrim.
This was news to the men; they could
hardly believe 1t at first. The part,
known as Light Haired Harry lived will
his pard, Surly Jack, in a small cabin
somewhat removed from the cluster of
rude affairs comprising the little town.
The pards were somewhat reserved, and
did not mingle with the men much.
Harry's disposition was as light and joy-
Gus as a girls; whereas Jack, appropri.
ately surnamed, Surly Jack, was Just
the opposite. Still, if they agreed. and
were satisfied to dwell beneath the same
roof, and share the common lot and luck
OF partnership, it was no ones business.
The woman, whoever she is, will break
up the association existing between the
pards; provided she ever reaches Good
Luck. Ii she does not succeed i'm so do
ing, it will be because Bobby Sturgis.
the prince or the relns. 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. well have to
cut down our daily supplies"
The speaker, a tall, bony man, with
thick, black beard covering his gaunt
face, was seated before the fire, oiling a
revolver.
1T is a fearful night, Jack; the air is
as keen as a razor Do you think wen
get the full effect Of the blizzard soon?"
asked the other occupant Of the cabin.
He was slight Of figure and erect as a
pine. A loose mass of silken, %yellowish
halr 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-thc nervous twitching Of his
finely cut lips told of the unrest at
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
| foapfp1 SnnW GLANDS py9 hnnn ont q, N
'bliZzard.'"
What is the result of a blizzard
Jacky' asked the other, n%ervously.
Death, generally, Jack. I've 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
chanccs?"
Il tell you. Harry, the blizzard
freezes the marrow in the strongest
mans bones, and drives the breath out
Of his lungs. A woman-shc would
droop, like the fragile lily from its
stem, when touched by the icy blast.
Why, what do you mean, Harry? /
trust no oma will be out in the
Storm
Jack, l have not been square with
you, my pard," said Harry; drawing a
stool to the fire and seating himself.
Look here, Harry. ! 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. You 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
nurScd 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. If he lad an affection for q
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. l say, I've not been square
with you"
Harry, explain vour words"
Jack, my rife Is on her ray here"
The hammer of jacks revolver fell
the window. and gazed out. Nothing
there but darkness, black and impene-
trable. After a long silence he came
over to his pard' side, and asked, as he
laid his hand upon the Others shoulder:
Are you a married man. Harry
Il am. May | ask you the same
stop, Harry. There are some things
in a mans life which are not pleasant to
recall. Tell me about your wife" There
was a 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 smartesl
woman Virginia ever produced"
MY God! Did you say Virginia?'
quickly interrupted Jack, stepping
back.
Yes, Virginia's faircst daughter,
Clara"
"Ctara! 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 sc
strangely? Bat | will tell you all in a
very few words, il you care to listen.
First. look upon this scar" said Harry,
loosening his shirt front and throwing
- En,Iy .ItJ., ,e, 49,, 49,