The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-07-05

OeVOJlon 20 hef, which she had careieSSll
overlooked as mere gallantry; his exclama
ton and strange conduct that moonlil
night upon the veranda when she had
dropped her engagement ring and he had
first guessed that she was pledged to an
other
And it was inevitable that with tbs
swiftness of thought she should compare
him with that other one in the east, with
his boyish face, etfeminate manner and SUI
percilious air of superiority, to wharpa in
their college days, she had bound herself
1t startled her, for she had never before
thought him effeminate or supercilious
and she felt guilty.
These thoughts hurried through her brain
as she stood waiting while Bob was endeav-
oriug to discover through the whirling
wilderness some familiar landmark. Some
how she could not feel very much alarmed
with him by her side after all, notwith-
standing his words She realized now,
however, that she was very cold and very
faint, and that the pressure about her
chest was growing heavier. The wind had
risen again and the snow was beating an
grily against their faces, as though it
wished to blind them.
Barker was by nature hopeful, persist
ent and pugnacious, with a cool, quick
brain in any physical emergency, and with
increasing resistance to increased obsta-
cles, but he could scarcely see his hand be-
fore his face. The trail had long since
been obliterated. and he was utterly at a
loss what direction TO take or what to do
except that Miss Chamberlain must be
kept moving, if possible, to keep eff that
deathly chill until help should come or the
] rlo
| chattering as hers were but for his indom-
/ liable will. He knew that she relied upon
/ him and did not realize the danger. But
would it not be better to impress the truth
upon her? Would she not rise to the
emergency and fight to the bitter end?
Her action at the moment decided him
| instantly. She had YEARLY sunk upon a
| log and was resting her face upon her
hands. He sprang to her and said with
decision:
''Miss Chamberlain, you must not give
way like that. You must realize that we
are in great danger and that if we let the
/ cold benumb us we are lost"
Her pleading answer sent great throb
Of fear through his heart, for it made plain
to him that she was already under the in
fuence of that awful spell which, like the
charming of the snake, makes the ap-
proach of death seem like dream.
Il am not cold now, but so tiredl The
storm will soon be over and they will CONS
for US. Please wait herep
Action was needed now. He had his vest
left. Without a word he wrenched that
off, lifted her to her feet, unbuttoned the
coat that was around her, took it off, forced
the vest upon her, not needing the feeble
motion with which she waved it away
fastened it, replaced the coat and hurried
her forward through the storm-anywhere
anywhere, he cared not where But they
went only short distance, when she tot
tered. stumbled and almost fell, clasped
her hands convulsively TO her bosom and
uttered an exclamation of pain. He put
his arm closer around her, her head dropped
heavily upon his shoulder and her voice
came in a whisper:
Il can hardly breathe. am too weak to
walk. Leave me here. and if you can't get
help, save yourself"
All restraint was gone now. He pressed
her close to him with both arms and kissed
her again and again.
Leave you, Madge, when brought you
here? Leave all | care for on earth? l
love you, love you, child God forgive
me for saying so, but can't help it."
She drew herself back from him an in
slant, the color famed again into the white
face, the big eyes looked full into his, then
closed slowly as she put out her arms like
a tired child and was taken back into his
embrace. He bent down closer to catch
the words:
And love you, Robertl Surely there
can be no harm in confessing it now. with
death SO near. was not sure until this
afternoon. God cannot blame me for tell !
ing you so. We will both soon be before |
him, and he will judge. Kiss me goodby, |
dear | am so tired!'
He covered her long, dark eyelashes-her /
cold, blue lips-her moist hair-her marble !
like cheeks and forehead with passionate /
kisses. Her feeble clasp about his neck .
strengthened little, and she smiled gently (
The swirlIng snow and the wailing wind /
were nothing to him now. He raised his .
head, and underneath the joyous triumph |
in his eyes there was a desperate glitter as
as he glanced about him.
Deathl Who talked of DEATH They
should not die there like rats in hole
Life was sweet to him now. The future
was bright. She loved him and she was
his by right. Was there no escape from
this biting cold and pitileSs snow? He
would shout. The wild wind swept it away
with a knocking burst of laughter. 1t was
like shouting over the sea.
His voice was almost gone. If he only
had his revolver with him he might make
himself heard Fool! fool to leave every
thing behind that would have been useful
Robbins always carried a revolver Surely
they would try to signal. Harkl what
was that? Only the roll of the distant
thunder.
When the storm came up it was from
the west, and the wind was blowing toward
the lake. Yes, he remembered that. The
wind hadn't changed, and all he had to
10 was to follow it. Why hadn't he
thought of this before? There was hope
yeti He would carry her!
He lifted her in his arms and staggered
few feet. He had to give it up
His legs and arms were icy cold and his
oints stiff. He must get his blood into
circulation first. He would scrape away
he snow and place Madge against thai
helving rock. She seemed TO be sleeping
low. She was protected somewhat from
he wind there. Now he would warm I'D
! little and then carry her 70 the lake. All
e had to do was to follow the direction of
be wind.
All, how awkward of him to stumble {
Ike thati 1t must have been a stone that |
ripped him. What's that? Blood? He I
lUst have cut his forehead, then! How
ard it is TO get up again.
oh, well! perhaps he had better lie down |
nd take little nap and then-then-a-n-d I
c
The snow had ceased falling. and the c
ind S dreary monotone has died away TO i