The Press., 1889-01-17

Cluu0S. I've done all can 1or tnem, put nobody can stand it out there more than few minutes at tine
 sDon't trouble about the sheep" said Wentworth dejectedly; ''we shall be more than lucky If we come out of this alive our selves. Indeed, I don't expect that we shall.''
 ''Oh, trust you for taking Il lively view of things. If you have one merit more than another, George, it is a talent for cheerfulness under all circumstances.
 s'We shall never get out of this alive, John. It is getting colder all the time. I am freezing here III spite of the big fire. It would actually be pleasure to be burn- ed to death. "
 Nonsense. This sort of weather can't last long,"
 s'It doesn't need to-"
 ssWe have weeks frewood piled up here and more outside. We'll live through it all right. Next New Year we shall be ID London, you bet your life
 s'We have bet our lives now and we have lost.'
 Brent did not answer him. He looked with dismay at his friend. Wentworth sat with his chin in his hands gazing at the roaring fire, and it seemed to Brent that the light of madness was in his eyes, All  necessary work of the place and Brent had uncomplainingly done everything that was required.
 Suddenly Wentworth started up aud seized blazing brand from the fire With it burning he started for the door.
 ''What are you gong to do?' cried his comrade.
 "I'm going to sec how the thermometer stands,
 "I wouldn't open the door if were you. ,"
 "You mind your own business, will you ?" shouted Wentworth, facing around, with the blazing brand in his hand, and glaring at him with a look that chilled Brent more than the extreme cold John said nothing, but stepped aside and let him pass. Wentworth, after moments pause flung down the bar and the door flew open. The wind, cutting like razor, roared into the room and made even the strong fire seem mockery.
 Wentworth held the It d brand up against the little thermometer that hung on the outside, and Brent, looking over his shoul- der, was appalled, to see that 1t stood at 42o below zero. Wentworth swayed from side to side and seemed unable to read the fig ures. At last the brand fell from his hand and he staggered into the room. Brent
  it into the fire, closed the door again Wentworth resumed his old attituds be- fore the fire, shivering now and then. Brent put more wood on and then sat down.
 sHow cold was it, John ?" asked Vent worth mildly. He had apparently for gotten all about his rough rem trk.
 "About 40 below"
 ''So much as that |? And they told us that when it was twenty below all wind stopped. Great heavens how they do lie | about this cursed country" l After few minutes silence Wentworth suddenly sprang to his feet.
 "What was that, John," he cried ner- vously. "Did you notice that ?'' "Notice what ?"
 'Something was thrown down the chim- ney on the fire."
 Nonsense, said Brent You had better go to bed."
 "There it is again."
 As he spoke chunk fell into the c-nt, I of the fire, then another and another"
 Brent's ruddy face paled as he realized what it was. The useless mud with which | the chimney was built was crumbling with the heat and falling away, leaving the dry sticks bare to the bames. Before he could think of what it was best to do an ominous, sullen roar came down the chimney.
 Wentworth jumped toward the door and threw open. He laughed wildly and called to his dazed partner:
 "Look, John, look.'
 the red glare of the burning shanty. The sight reused John from his stupor.
 "Come, George" he cried, ''lets get out what we can. You take the clothing and I'll carry out some provisions. This shanty won't last ten minutes"
 ''Of course it won't. You leave if you want to. This is nay spot.
 George, this is no time for nonsense Help me out with the things"
 'All right here goes." l He flung the clothes indiscriminately out of the shanty, and then, without word of warning, sprang on his partner and seized him by the throat. l Out of this, you cowardIy hound, '" he yelled. ''Out with the rest of the dun mage. This fire is for nae. Out with you.
 The superhuman strength of the mad man was something Brent was utterly un able to cope with. He was flung in hear on the pile of clothing, and before he coulc rise to his feet Wentworth was inside agail and had the door barred.
 The roof was now one mass of flames Brent seized piece of wood and tried tt batter in the door, but he could make nc headway, and although the fire burned hi. face, the terrible blizzard benumBed hi, arms and made his efforts useless. Every time he struck the door there was yell ot laughter from within that sounded above the roar of the flames and the blizzard. Al last there was crash and the roof feil in Brent stood with groan of anguish al ( looked helplessly at the bonfire, from wh ct there now came no human sound. He & down on the stump and gazed hopelesslJ at the burning logs as they fell one by ont into the mass of flames. Gradually al sense of discomfort from the bitter colo left him. A soothed and pleasant feeling