The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-05-20
ON THE FORT KANE TRAIL By cls.l,
 Allen
Copyright, 1901, byA.s. Richardson

! uNeu m Aht AAtAAN NAAAA oAeNnANN against the snow lncrusted side of Crow peak Santa Claus had failed to strike the Fort Kane trall. Teddy and Freddy. the Squire twins, had listened with blinking eyes to their mothers falterlng explanation that the old chap could not get across the range, but when they had cuddled beneath their own buffalo robe and at a safe dis. tance from the maternal eye could in- | dulge In a few unmanly tears they pri. vately exchanged the opinion that something else was wrong What rein deer could not breast the drifts of the Fort Kane tralll
 Nevertheless for two days after Christmas they watched the trail with eager eyes. Today hope fairly died within them. A gray pail seemed to fall upon the narrow gulch and the mountains. Even the flames In the deep fireplace refused to dance, and the logs sulked blackly. Mrs. Squire | had been called to the nearest ranch | by the Illness of the one nclghbor she | had known In this dcsOlatc western home. Her husband had gone away. ostenslbly In search of deer meat Per haps in reality he wanted to get be yond sight of those four pathetic, ques' | tIonlng eyes, for there was absolutely not dollar In the house with which to placate santa Claus. Indeed lt was a grave question how the Squire cstab- llshment would be run until spring. There was the hole In the next gulch which Squire had been guarding hero lcally from prylng eyes, but even if It's prospects were known would any one advance him ready cashg
 The afternoon shadows were begin nlng to fall when Freddy was called from wrestling with the unruly Are by an exultant shout from Teddy, who chung desperately to hls watch at the window.
 "They's somethln' eomin', Tcdl ] hear it"
 Their hearing. sharpened by long days and nights in mountain silences, caught the distant plunk. plunk of an approaching horse. There ought to have been bells and reindeer. but any sort of vehicle or animal would do lf only Santa Claus held the lines. They were wild to rush out Co the trail. but the horrors Of blzzards had been drummed Into their small brains until they were quite willing to obey the pa rental injunction to stay Indoors. Nearer and nearer came the sound The boys stood on tlptOe at the win. | dow. An, he was turning in from the tran! There were two of him and on horseback!
 The twins threw open the doors and stood bareheaded and expectant as the two horses stopped and thelr riders finally entered through the narrow bar. rcd gate. At sight of the visitors Ted. dy could no longer hold back the tears. The disappointment was too great nothing but cowboys and rough look ing ones at thatl
 Freddy pulled himself together and with Innate western hospitality told the men to come in.
 "Ef you want to sec pop. you'd bet ter walt" tc volunteered. 'He's gone to track a Cecr. but he'll be home bout supper timc."
 The taller man of the two punched up the logs until a brilliant flame illu- mlnatci the room, furnishing thc tow colorcd halr of the twins until it shone Ike gold. As he strengthened up he caught sight of Teddy's brImmng eyes.
 "HcIlo. kid. You aln't afraid, are you?' hc saId cyufIly. but nct u2EnGly. The sccctd nan ret dow a the far side cf the fireplace. breathing heavily.
 Teddy shook his head.
 CT aln't 'frald. but thought you was Santa Claus Nom says he's block adcd somewhercs along the trall, but l guess he ain't comln'."
 "PshawP said the tall man, looking from one boy to the other. "Thls storm was most unhandy fer the ole gent" Then. in a wheedllng tone; But ef you was ter give us somcthln' ter eat p'r'aps we might help the ole chap out a bit of we come acrost him up the trail. Now. of you could show me where the coffee was. an some bo- con, we could do the rest"
 Freddy was all importance on the instant. He hauled out the tin can Of coffee and ground away until the big man bade him stop. He found the bread, too. and some cold beans and a small slab of bacon.
 It was the tall man who did all the work. Ills partner sat by the Fireplace dejected and unlnterested, but not un- watched. Under the heavy brows Of the would be cook anxious eyes kept guard on the aillng one. The two children prattled on. enjoying the un' usual opportunity of playing hosts At last the scant meal was set forth. and the two men slammed their chairs before the table, covered with oil cloth.
 It certainly seemed to the twins that never had they seen men eat as dsJ these strange guests.
 "I wouldn't mind havin' a bit more of that bacon," remarked the tall mar