The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-30

lone OF them cried Frank. has crept
up under the bank OF the brock and fired the
hollow stump. 1t is dry: it has the draught
Of a chimney and runs uo along the wall
This is the end of us!'
He fastened back to his post and looked
out A figure, scrambling from the frozen
brook was just -concealing- itself. Too late!
1t was the Panther. A horrible screaming.
like human sound. filled the air with the
triumph of devils. and Alice stopped her ears
to the revolving warwhoco. -
The two men, knowing that nothing was
to be done, again settled wordless in their
PLACES. The war-whoop ceased, and the three
heard clearly the kissing Of fire. Alice lay
trembling; Frank, in helpless anger contem-
! plated the end; GAneeb, with the persistence
of an Indian, still revolved plans for their
| escape. 49, & - %e&ElfF - i
Then began an awful waiting. The stump
burned slowly at frst. Icicles from the caves
melted and snow from the roof dropped upon
| the fire. The logs were thick. But the hiss
ing and cracking continued, and Alice,
watching nervously, saw at last what she
dreaded tongue Of flame. 1t licked in be-
tween the logs and disappeared. No more
came for while; then the little dealy her
| aid came again-this time to stay-and 9TH
ers followed in its train. Their light flick
| cred in the dusk of the cabin and threw upon
| her face the shadow of fear.
| AS the logs wasted the flames grew and
| Sneere0 threats at neT. SInOke SuCkeu III,
| took her by the throat and smarted her eyes.
The roof, cleared of snow, dried, smoked and
hlazed. Then great piece of burning bark
! Ga eyed suddenly hung and dropped to the
floor. Frank leaped up and stamped out the
| flames. = q - = 81
| Now, from where she lay, Alice could see
the treetops and the blessed sky. But clouds
| of smoke and sparks obscured them at times,
| more of the roof began to burn, and cindecs
! and blazing bits of bark fell, within the cabin.
| Another yell came from the hidden foes, and
/ a bullet buzzed through the loop where Frank
! sat sullen.
The heat in the cabin was intense. More
t and more smoke sucked In Frank left his
place again to put out the cinders and sparks
| that fell But wider above his head grew
| the area Of flame, and at length another Sec
ton Of bark dropped at his feet. He coughcd
and choked as he threw a moose skin upon
| 1t, treading the eGnbers into the ground. His
face was streaked with sweat and SCOT; his
| eyes gared desperately, and as Alice watched
him she knew he had no hope More yels
OF triumph came from without, and again a
musket sounded
But Aneeb, lying quiet, needless of the fire,
| answered this last message. He withdrew
his gun and peeped out. Then he spoke:
Three left. Now there are more at my
! end" o.. So. -. -.s' ~ -.
To Frank came the idea of sallyng into
the open and warning on the remaining three
| from what covert he could find. But the
roof creaked, the wall of the cabin suddenly
settled if to fall. Such a fight outside
| would need hours for its finish, but for Aneet
and Alice in the cabin were few minutes
left. Hinged thus about with fame, cooped
in a furnace, he welcomed the desperate
| thought that came.
The charitable modern calls a murderer In
| sane. But Franks mind was clear, his pur-
pose calm, as he sat down beside the girl
l The hunger within him, the pain of his dried
wounds, were but spurs to his will, and in
the feyer-heat Of the cabin his blood was
cool. But weary sadness came down upon
| him, fitting for the end of such a life.
He tok her hand. alice, are you fright
ered?" .'- >.--3 -. -.-tZ5 d. - r.
She looked at him with wide eyes,, brigh
with the glimnaer Of tears. Yet she answered
No; have been praying ~ +.
do you fear death, dear?" ST..
"A little. Mostly for leaving father ant
George, and you. But they have been hard
these two years. 1 am ready -
The words were as "a signal to him H.
loosened the KNIT at his belt. Then he tool
her in his arms and raised her to him ION,
kiss, dear" he said. Their lips met H
held her close with one arm Quickly now
Quickly he drew" the knife and gripped TITO
the thrust ~ ls' .-
:"Saggitto." said Aneeb.
~, - Ito be continued to-morrow)