The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-06-19

and rode into the White Valley where the
buffalo was feeding, and sought to steal
upon them; but the shots from their guns
only awoke the hills and none were
slain. And though they rode swiftly,
the wide surf of snow was ever be-
tween them and the chase, and their
striving awaited nothing. Day after day
they followed that flying column, and night
after night they heard the sleepers call
from tho hills. And the desire of the thing
wasted them, and they forgot to eat, and
ceased 20 talk among themselves. But one
day ShOn McGann, muttering ayes as he
rode gained on the cattle, until once again
tho Scarlet Hunter came forth from cleft
Of the mountains, and drove the herd for
ward with swifter feet But the lrishman
had learned the power in this thing,
aud had taught Trafford. who knew
not those avalling prayers, ana with these
sacred con iuratiOns on their lips they gained
on the cattle length by length. though the
Sacred Hunter rode abreast OF the thunder
ing horde Within easy range, Irafford
swung his gun shoulderward to fire, but
M that instant a cloud OF snow rose up
batween him and his quarry so that
they all were blinded. And when they came
into the clear sun again the buffalo were
gone; but flaming arrows from some I'M
seen hunters bow came singing over their
heads toward the south; and they obeyed
the sign, and went back TO where Hester
wore her life out with anxiety for them,
because she knew the h0peleSsness OF her
quest Women are nearer 10 the heart or
things. and now she begged Trafford to go
southwark before winter fIo2e the plains
impassably and the snow made tombs OF the
valleys. And he gave them the word to go,
and said that he had done wrong, for now
the spell was falling from him.
But she seeing his regret said: "Ah,
Inst. Il could not have been different. The
passion of it was on you as 1t was on US.
As If to teach us that hunger for happiness
is robbery and that the c0yetous desire OF
man is not the will Of the gods. The herds
are for the mighty men when they awake,
mot for the stranger and the PhilStne."
You have grown wise, Hester" he re-
no. I am sick in brain and body; but It
may be that in such sickness there Is WIS
DOM"
think. Once l laughed at all such fanciful
things as these. This Scarlet Hnnter-how
many times have you seen him :?
But once"
What were his looksY"
"a face pale and strong, with noble eyes;
and IN his voice there was something
strange"
TIafford thought of Shangi. the Indian
where had he gone? lie had disappeared
as suddenly as he had come to their camp in
the South.
As they sat silent in the growing night
stood before them.
There is food" he said, "on the TIRES
hOld-fOOd for those who 60 upon a far
Journey 10 the south in the morning Un-
happy are they who seek for gold at the
rainbOw's foot who chase the FREELY in
the night. who follow the herds in the
White Valley. Wise are they who anger not
the gods and who fly before the rising
storm. There is a path from the valley
for the strangers, the path by which
they came; and when the sun stares forth
again upon the world, the way shall be
open, and there shall bo safety for you until
your travel ends in the quick world whittier
you go. You we're foolish; now you are
wise. 1t is time 10 depart; seek not 10 re-
turn, that we may have peace and you
safety. When the world cOmeth TO her
spring again we shall meet" Then he
turned and was gone, with Trafford's voice
ringing after him-"Shangi Shangi!
They ran out swiftly, but he had van
ished. In the valley where the moonlight
fell in icy GOODNESS herd of cattle was
moving, ana their breath rose like the
spray from the sea-beaten rocks and the
sound OF their breathing was borne upward
to the watchers.
At DAY break they rode down into the val
ley. All was still. Not a trace of life re-
NAMED; not ho0f-mGrk in the snow.
nor bruised blade Of grass. And
when they climbed to the plateau and
and his companions, as II seemed in after
years, that this thing had been ali fan
tasy. But Hester's face was beside them.
and it told OF strange and unsubstantial
things. The shadows Of the middle world
wore upon her. And yet again, when they
turned at the last, there was no token. 1t
was a northern valley with sun and snow,
and cold blue shadows and the high hills
that was all.
Then Hester said "Oh, Just, I do not
know if this IS life or death-and yet it must
be DEATH for after death is forgiveness to
those who repent, and your face is forgiving
and kind
And he-for he saw that she needed
much human help and cOmfort-gently laid
his hand on hers and replied: Hester this
IS life new life for both OF us. Whatever
has been is dream; whatever Is now
and he folded her hand in his-"is real; and
there Is no such thing as forgiveness to be
spoken OF between US. There shall be hap
plneSs for us yet, please God ~
Il want to 90 to Falkenstowe. win, will
mother forgive me?'
Mothers always forgive. Hester, else
half the world had slain itself in shame"
And then she smiled for the first time
since he had seen her. This was In the
shadows Of the scented pines; and a new
life breathed upon her as il bTeathed upon
them all, and they knew that tho fever of
the White Valley had passed away from
them forever.
After many hardships they came in safety
to the regions of the south country again.
and the tale they told, though doubted by
the race Of palefsces, was believed by the
heather, because there was none among
them, but. as he swung at his mothers
breasts and from his youth up, had heard
the legend Of the Scarlet Hunter
For the romance Of that journey, it con-
cerned only the man and woman to whom
it was as wine and meat to the starving. Is
not love more than legend and q human
heart than all the beasts Of the field or any
inN of sLamghtar IN ac nlilIa Manazlna