The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-11-26
The Globes Daily Short Story

charted plains needs but little explana,
ton of its meaning. One word is usual
~ enough to tell the story to its concIu>
sion. Morton had passed one winter In
the Northwest, and he knew what his
fate would be unless help came or she
could get the trail once more. Realizing
his situation, he fired his revolver several
times, waiting between each shot for
some response, but none came. He had
thought many times during the past
year that life was not worth. living but
now that he was about to lose it, its
value seemed greater to him. and he
determined not to give it up without
making the best fight for it that was in
him.
He would have shouted and 1t seemed
tnat he must give vent to his feelings,
SO, but he knew that the loudest Shrek
OF the strongest lungs would not carry
a stones throw against the fierce blast
that. was hurting itself against him, and
he kept his breath for use in a greater
need. He let his horse try to find the
way. but the poor beast was worn out by
the hard riding of the morning, and after
Few lneffectual efforts in the deep snow,
he lay down with a groan and refused to
stir further Morton had feared this
and now he knew that his case was Ges-
perate, indeed. Once more he res,rled
to his revolver. and fired away all his
cartridges but two, which he reserved
with grim smile. He need not at least
freeze to death, though possibly that was
easier though longer than the shock Of
a shot. The firing sounded as if he were
in a sound-proof cellar deep in the ground
and no response came.
How far he mad wandered or in what
direction he had no idea Night had
come to add to the danger, and he had
fallen many times in his WEAKNESS, but
he struggled to his feet again and kept
brayely on. But whittier? In one di-
reetion ne might wander a hundred miles
through the beating snow, and he could
not tell his direction AS his strength
of body failed, his mind became more
active and he thought of other places
than the cruel plains; of other Thanks
giving days than this that was bringing
AN end of all things to him. He saw
girls face and heard her voice. but
now his anger was gone and he thought
of her as the one he loved, not only when
he had told her so, but more now than
ever. 1t was his first Thanksgiving out
of the town where she lived, and what a
Thanksgiving.
AS he sank again into the drifts, feel
ing that it must be for the last time,
for he was growing very sleepy and
tired, he caught the glimmer of a light
through the falling snow. coming down
more quietly since the night mad brought
rest to the wind, and, gathering all his
energies he pushed on to reach 1t. Very
slowly he approached it, gasping and
railing and trying to shout for help. He
could see as he came nearer that he had
reached the railroad, many miles from
the ranch, and that train was snow
bound. He had come within a hundred
yards OF the tuggfng and grooming engine
held fast in the white arms of the drift,
but his voice was gone, and he could
not rise again when he went down. Bare
two cartridges in his revolver, and with
a supreme and final effort he drew the
weapon, and, firing both shots, he top
pied back into the snow and Law still
followed q No toll Ix,,&
when he opened his eyes ne was in the
stateroom of Pullman car. warm and
bright and cheerful, and Kate Lester
sat by his side holding his hand in
hers.
He looked at her questioningly as If
he were in dream, and she under
stood.
.'oh, It's real Fred" she whispered
deiightedly. bending over him. This is
al actual Pullman car on an actual train,
and we are caught in an actual snow
Storm
Il think I was too" he said feebly,
but smiling.
Indeed, you were she went on, for
his strength was coming fast, land if
our engineer hadn't heard your shoot
ing and found you you would have frozen !
to death and-oh, Fred She stopped
and put her hands over her face
'sWculd you have cared?' he asked
eagerly.
For answer she stopped and kissed
him.
Now shut your eyes and go to Sleep.
she said, for you must get strong
again.
But Morton was made of better stuff
than to be knocked out by a blizzard
when the girl he loved had kissed him
and by the assistance of g. long pull
and strong one at a big flask passer-
ger from Kentucky had with him, he
gathered strength enough to be on his
feet again within an hour. Then he was
hungry and said so.
I'VE will have a Thanksgiving dinner
in the dining car" cried Miss Lester. en-
Enthusiastically, for we really have some
thing now to be thankful for, and she
touched Morton on the ann and b1ushed
rosily.
Indeed we have" said that gentleman
with such impetuosity that he actually
caught her in his arms and kissed her
before everybody.
This necessitated explanation to the
surprised passengers, and Morton told
their story very briefly, Miss Lester
supp1ementing 1t with the informant ton
that she and her father were going to
the Pacific coast and happened to be on
the one train of all she would rather
have been on, even though it was caught
in the snow.
They had Thanksgiving dinner that
train at the next station and made his
way back to the ranch to tell the boys
that he was all right and had concluded
to resign and return to the East. he was
in such high hunor that a committee was /
appointed to wait on him and ask him to
tell the gang the story of his life. Which
he did, and there was such a hot time
the annH left over by the blizzard.