The daily morning Alaskan., 1901-01-15
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 Aswan, the home of my childhood, as it had been that of my forefathers for many generations. We were in the midst of white sea whose pillows were the partially submerged hedges that daily grew less noticeable as the snow drifted in and piled above them.
 The black pine forests of Salten had again sent forth the grim, bloodthirsty pack of legionaries who for ages had dWelt unmolested sin ;ts dark fastnesses, onI the cry of "Wolfr was no longer, as be.etofore, an empty sound. All this, however, did not affect any of our party, who were all Morse men and maidens born, used to the cold, full of health and spirits. l, Ella Bleorn, daughter of the house, was the widest of that mad circle who had assembled at Stor Aswan at Christmastide to do honor to my betroth al to Eric Jarl, the lover of my youth, ere long to be my husband. So in dancing, feasting and merrymak- ing the week sped until few hours more would see us all scattered in vari- ous directions, to meet again we knew not when or where. For the last day, therefore, we had reserved the chief pleasure, the crowning point of all our enjoymeHt-a sleighing and skating party to Stor Aswan, mountain encircled lake some ten miles farther north, the same from which our homestead derived it's quaint Runic name. This was to be our vail, or greeting, to the new year-our welcome to the incoming guest. Brightly dawned the eventful morning, clear and fair as heart could desire. All nature seemed rejoicing like ourselves at the advent of another year and one al- ready so full of promise. At length we started, Eric and 1 as hosts being the last of the party, for, of course, he was my charioteer. I well re- member my father standing at the door to see us go and, as he tucked the bear skin rug more closely around me- bidding us "return early and beware of the Sal ten hounds" We laughed at the warning then, but had awful cause to remember it after ward. Of that day I shall not speak. | We were all young and in wild spirits and some of us in love. But all things, even the pleasantest, must come to an end. So when the shades of evening began to fall heavily, merging earth, sky and water into one gray, leaden cloud, we began our journey homeward. Tired out with my exertions, as soon as we started I nestled down among the soft furs in the sleigh and, rocked by its easy motion, soon fell fast asleep. How long slept know not, but when 1 awoke it was showing fast and the darkness so intense that we could not see a hands breadth before us. I called to Erie, who was driving. and asked if all was we'll to which the answer came back, "All well, but for Gods sake try to keep awake" So l aroused myself and sat up, know ing that sleep in that bitter night air might mean death. Suddenly, as 1 listened vanly for the echo of our companions bells, l heard another sound come up with the wind a long drawn hollow moan. The third time the ponies also heard it. for they sprang forward with an impetus that al most shook u.y out of the sleigh. Frighteue said to Erie, What, oh, what is that|' And the answer came back short and stern, "'The Salten hounds!"
 Then began that terrible chase "for dear life" which, though we should both live for twice our allotted span. we could never forget Swiftly we sped along, our steeds inpcllpd hy q terror as great as our own until they appeared almost tc fly. BreathlpsSy we hcarkcned, hoping | even vet to leave the enemy behind. Erie Still held th" renS. and l covered | down at the bottom of the sleigh and prayed more earnestly than l had ever yet dcnc in my life flor an increase of the snowlift OF aught. even a miracle, i if it might only save Us"
 In the middle of white plain. with no nook or corner visible wherein we could take refuge. and still nearly a league from home, our case looked hopeless enough So our pursuers seemed to think as they now caught sight of us for the first time and. lifting their black mug zlcs from the ground, gave vent to a howl of savage eXultation. l could have screamed, too, when heard it. for fright was driving me half wild. It was so un- uttcrably horrible to perish thus. But a glance at Eric so calm and steadfast, gave me new courage. Faster and faster we flew, like hunted animals, death behind us coming on apace. A few yards more, and he would claim us for his own. Prompted by Erie, I threw out the bearskin rrg which protected me from the cold. For a moment they paused, smelled at it, then on with fresh fury aft CT their old prey. One by one, cushions, wraps. all went over to the hungry pack, each gaining us an nstant's priceless de- lay. As the last fell from my hand the fore most wolf bounded forward, just miss ing my arm. while his strong, cruel jaws met with painfully audible snap.
 Then Erie turned and looked at me long, loving glance-and began knottins the reins to the iron side of the driving seat. Instinctively divning his purpose of giving his life to save mine, I sprang forward and clinging to him frantically, whispered: Dearest, remember, we stand or fall togethern
 A sudden thought, justified by our dire extremity. flashed through my brain. It was at best forlorn hope. Quickly l bent over Eric, snatched the hunting knife from his belt and cut loose the nearest pony. With an almost human cry of pain. the poor animal galloped off, | with the ravenous pack after it. A few strides only. and it was surrounded. over. powered, down, and the last sounds we heard ere the welcome lights of Stor Aswan came in sight were our baffled enemies growing and fighting over the remains of my gallant little steed. It was cruel sacrifice. but necessity knows no law. and by it we were saved.-Ex- change.
 EgYF rEt,r