The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-31
Chapter XVI.
FAMINJE

FAMINE
Frank stood beneath spruce and eyed
partridge above him. Why do you hesitate?''
asked Alice.
The bird stood rigid, staring at the strange
things below. Frank fired at last and cut the
neck through. why did you hesitate?"
asked Alice again.
He threw his gun in the snow and cast of
powder horn and bullet pouch. I'VE must
have food" she said, "but that was my last
charge. The gun is useless. This s"all the
| food we shall have until Detroit"
How far is that?" T., .-e
1--WE have gone two days already. Perhaps
| four days more"
! Two miles from there moose. the first
| they had seen, started out of thicket and
ran away. Frank laughed bitterly.
| II could have shot him with Kewadin's
bow"
Never m1nd,' she said. ''Do your wounds
| trouble you?"
No" But she saw that he was very pale
Three more days aud they sat YEARLY upon
the sledge. The Implying forest still enfold-
| ed them. The same tall trees stood close
around, the snow lay like a. shroud.
"Is 1t far now?' she asked.
| mot far
"Then the last food" she begged eagerly.
He took it from the pouch, a little piece Of
meat. He held it in his hand and looked at
her "Alce--"
| "What?"
4 am almost done. If you eat, cannot get
to Detroit If eat it all. can"
She struggled. Take it, she said at last.
| He ate it slowly, moistening his dry mouth
with snow. With her face in her hands, her
tears yet slipped through her fingers. Never
tasted food better to man.
After little he laid her on the toboggan,
covered her with the blanket. and dragged
her onward with fresh strength.
|
At sunset on the next day he came out of
the forest, and saw before him the ture clear
ing and the palisaded fort. The increased
speed reused Alice. He heard her feeble
voice from behind: what is it?"
Lie down. He hurried on. The moment
was at hand for the closing OF the fort. He
heard the clear notes of the bugfe. saw the
red flag float down. But at the gate group
waited, watching. At last he stood before
them, unsteadily. The toboggan glided up
| and stopped. Alice raised her head.
The three officers in red looked at him curl
ously. A white man-starving-so much vas
evident They heard his hollow voice: '"rhe
commandment
| II am he" r...... =
LAS you are a unan-send the girl-home -
| Catch him. cried the colonel, quickly.
They laid his body down.
Chapter XVII.
SEPARATION.
The chaplain and the doctor Joined the
colonel IN room OF the fort. The colonel
was studsring a letter. II have called you,
ge1tlernen he said, because received this
letter late last night, by a runner. Lieuten-
ant Tudor writes me for the twentieth time
from Montreal. He is recalled to Lendon, and
must leave Oil the 1st of April. He asks for
| the last time II have found his sister. MT.
Morton, you must start with her to-day. An.
other such week Of waiting, and the spring
thaws will delay you. You would miss him. -
81 sm sure am ready" answered the chap
lain, testify. II have overstayed my time,
waiting for this fellow to die. She will not
stir till then. is there any change in him.
| doctor?" a.
Not a bit, the doctor answered HE
still lies like a corpse. but how soon he'll be
one whether next minute or next week. no
one can sax
He'll not recover?" asked the colonel.
Mot a chance Of IT,
The colonel paced the room, shaking his
head I'VE must do it," he muttered finally.
-" Twill be kindness. Gentlemen. I've just
been to look at the woodsman. He lis like
ice; no one would dream that he still lives.
We must tell her he is dead
/ ''Eh?'' cried the startled doctor.
cts not exactly began the chaplain,
shocked. 1890
CTS the best way interrupted the
colonel Elise there will be another long
separation from her family. Pray, Mr.. Nor
ton make no objection. Doctor. have the
fellow covered with a sheet 60 to order
his grave to be begun" He left the room,
his subordinates locking at one another with
4 approval
Alico sat in her chamber. Two weeks HAD
made her strong again, but her eyes showed
a persistent anxiety. When there came a
knock at the door, she ran to it hastily. The
colonel entered
"Can I go to him now?" she begged.
j IA moment" said the colonel. Il must
/ speak to you frst-must tell yo'l-''
"Oh," she cried, gasping cry as from a
broken heart 81 know. He is dead!''
4 The colonel said nothing She turned away,
but she could not weep for the horror Of It
Frank had saved her. but he had died What
then Of his ambition? And his brother? And
his friends? A terrible responsibility was
hers. Should she not have died instead? Their
pity rushed over her, and she wept. But at
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