The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-11-28

80
1t had been nearly three years since
Theodore Lakeland had seen Paul
Miller, and no wonder he failed to rec
ognize him. Such a change had suf-
fering and hardship marked on him
that he more nearly resembled some
ferocious animal than human being.
When he uttered cry and pronounc-
ed Lackland's name that individual
asked:
who are your
But he had heard that voice and
knew the man. 1t was Paul Miller
transformed into a wild man. Paul
glared ferociously at the men whom
he had first welcomed as friends.
Don't come-don't approach mel"
he Kissed, his eyes flashing with fire.
II understand your devilish, malicious
designs upon me, and will shoot you
dead if you come too close"
II have come to find you, my dear
friend. The dog courier bore the mes
sage to us that you were perishing
in the woods, and we set out to find
you"
Paul grew weak and dizzy, and, sit
ting down on the snow, gasped:
81 didn't know it would fall into
your hands, or l would have persisted
in the woods before sent it."
Lakeland gave Cummins wink and
continued to hold the attention of
Paul, while his hireling slipped behind
him to attack him from the rear.
you misapprehend us, Paul." con-
tinued Lakeland. 1--WE don't intend
any harm to you. You are sick; you
are almost perishing, but we want to
save you"
81 don't want to be saved by such as
you. Go on, say, and | will make my
way to Dawson City alone"
Cummins at this moment seized him
from behind. Paul made a desperate
struggle to free himself, but famine,
suffering and toll had overcome him
completely, and he soon lay breath
less on the snow.
II am sent by Miss Laura Kean,
who is in Juneau, waiting for you, to
conduct you to her."
Its lie! Oh, my heavens, know
it is lie, and I am unable to resist"
The name of the woman he loved
pronounced by the lips he hated most
seemed to have filled him with rage,
and he struggled like a mailman to
break away from his captors. Two
more came to the assistance of Cum
minis, and they threw him upon the
snow with such force that when they
lifted his body his head fell back. Paul
was insensible. The blood was trickl-
ing from a wound in his forehead, and
dyeing the virgin snow.
Thunder, I'm afraid he is dead!"
Lakeland declared.
They carried him down the noun
tain side for mile, where there was a
grove Of pines, and, calling a halt,
built fire. He then sent for sled
to take the wounded man back to
camp.
"Cummins," said Lakeland, now
comes the finest scheming we have
ever DONE"
What is it,"
1--WE must keep them separate"
"Who"
"The wounded man and the girl. l
also want to separate the old woman
from the young woman, and I think
I have hit upon a scheme that will
be sure to win. This fellow will need
a nurse, and l will coax the old wo-
man to stay with him."
The sled was brought and Paul, who
had recovered, but was delirious, was
placed on it. He had every symptom
of brain fever. Lakeland began to
speculate on the chances of his recov-
cry, and decided they were slim.
They conducted him to place on
the lake two miles above the present
camp and set his men to work build
ing hut for the wounded man.
After seeing the sufferer comfort
able in the rude shanty constructed
for him, and setting some Indians to
cutting wood to supply him, Lakeland
went to the camp where Laura had
been left.
Then with a face deeply furrowed
with anxiety he waited on Miss Kate
Willis and said:
my good woman, l came to ask
favor of you"
Kate gave him doubling glance,
and said in a snappish manner:
What is it?"
81 almost hesitate, for the request
is a serious one. We found a poor,
wandering Klondyker on the noun
tainside, bereft of his reason and
nearly dying. He needs the tender
care of some kind-hearted woman to
nurse him back to life"
where is he?" she asked, her man
ner at once changing.
HE is at the grove a mile or two
back on this trail"
why didn't We bring him here?
Because he is too weak to bring
so far. Besides, we have built a
shanty and made him as comfortable
as possible"