The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1900-12-26

wrong, some danger for Nannette.
Putting a flask Of brandy In his
pocket. he buttoned his great pealacket
closely over 1t. wound a giant muf-
ner about his head and strapped on
pair OF snowshoes. Then he took a
shovel from the shed and called
to his mother as be left the house: Il
am going over to the Morses to see
If they are all right" The cold. keen
wind stung his face as he staggered
over the snow toward the little cot
tage on the mountain road. At times
the drift blinded him.
He found Mrs. Morse alone and
anxious Nannette had not come
home. She had delayed too long and
a big slide OF snow had cut of the
little schoolhouse from the cottage.
Mrs. Morse did not think there was
much danger now that Keene had
come There was surely plenty Of fuel
at the shchoolhouse and Nannette
would not suffer anything worse than
a lonely night and the loss OF her
supper Keene would soon get her
home now He only stayed long
enough to warm his nearly frozen
feet and hands. did not wait to hear
Mrs. Morse out, and hurried of up the
mountain road.
The schoolhouse was almost buried
in the snow; he could only see the
chimney. The chimney stood there
! like a small red beacon Ia q sea Of
white. Keene saw something that
made him push on faster and made his
heart sink within him. No smoke
from the chimney Not even the curl
ing waves OF heated air rose from the
chimney top. The fire was out. then?
The drift and slide had buried the
little schoolhouse. Nothing but a tun-
mel through the snow could reach Nan
nette. Keene knew well where tho
door ought to be. and his shovel fairly
made the snow n.y. He must have a
tunnel big enough to bring her
out Deeper and deeper he fought his
way into the hard-packed snow. Now
that his tunnel was started. the work
was harder. Every shovelfuI had to
be carried to the opening IN the drift
so that be might have a clear road
Il seemed hours that he fought that
great battle with the drift. all alone.
Only the great strength Of his forge
hardened muscles permitted him to
work on. He called loudly to Nan
nette, but no answer came back. Was
he too late. then? He went back out
OF the tunnel to get his bearings The
tunnel was making straight for the
door-there could be no doubt OF that
Then he went back again into the
drift and attacked the snow. working
hurriedly and feverishly now. He no
longer stopped to carry the snow out
Of the tunnel. His shovel struck wood,
then came a show OF red In the blank
whiteness OF the tunnel. The door at
last He threw his weight against it.
Once! Twicel Againi It burst open
and he found himself In the dim light
OF a small lamp which still burned in
the bracket on the wall. Inc room
was not cold, but the fire IN the stove
had been out for some time. He did
not see Nannette. Had she gone. then,
after all? Out Of the stiffness came a
sound OF labored breathing. Then he
remembered the little room back Of
the stove where the fuel was kept The
door stood ajar. A moment later he
was holding Nannette in his arms
striving TO bring her back to conscious
ness. Before she opened her eyes she
called his name. She called him again
and again as II calling for help. Then
consciousness came back 70 her and
she opened her eyes and looked won
deringly at him.
While Keene made her as comforta-
bic as he could and built a blazing
iire in the stove. she told him all about
it. How the snowsllde had shut her
in just as she had made ready to 90
home She had not been frightened, as
she felt sure some one would come for
her. There was plenty Of fuel to keep
the schoolroom warm and she had
enough OF her lunch left 70 do for sup
per. Then the fire had burned low and
she had gone to the little room for
coal. she had tripped and fallen In
the dark and thought she had sprained
her ankle. II hurt her cruelty and she
had become frightened when she found
that she could not move without great
palm. She had become terribly afraid
IN that little dark room and had cried
out many times for Keene to come to
her. II seemed too terrible that she
should be there all alone. II Keene
could only know be would come to her
rescue. Then the pain and terror had
overcome her and she had lost all con-
sciousness until she saw him bending
over her.
Keene cut the shoe from the injured
ankle and wrapped his muller about
her. tying her skirts closely about her
feet. Picking Nannette up In his
strong arms. as II she had been a baby
instead Of a plump young woman. he
plunged out Of the door into the tun-
mel ia the snow The drift was mar
row toward the opening. but he
quickly forced his way out and
stood almost blinded nv fha da-rifnr