The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-04-04
ON THE
FORT KANE
lRAlL By cioely
Allen

Gloomy indeed had Christmas day
been In the little cabin snuggled
against the snow incrusted side of
Crow peak. Santa Claus had failed to
strike the Fort Kane trail. Teddy and
Freddy, the Squire twins, had listened
with blinking eyes to their mothers
faltering 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
lance from the maternal eye could in
dulge In 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 trail?
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 neighbor she
had known In this cesolate 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-
tiOning eyes, for there was absolutely
not dollar In the house with which to
placate Santa Claus Indeed 1t was a
grave question how the Squire estab-
lishment would be run until spring.
There was the hole In the next gulch
which Squire had been guarding hero
ically from prying eyes. but even II its
prospects We're known would any one
advance him ready cash?
The afternoon shadows were begin
ming to fall when Freddy was called
from wrestling with the unruly fire by
an exultant shout from Teddy, who
chung desperately to his watch at the
window.
''They's somethin' comm. Tedl 1
| hear itr'
Their hearing, sharpened by long
days and nights in mountain silences.
approaching horse. There ought to
have been bells and reindeer, but any
sort of vehicle or animal would do IL
only Santa Claus held the lines. They
were wild to rush out to the trail, but
| the horrors of billiards. 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 tiptoe at the win
dow. All. he was turning In from the
trail! 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 their riders
finally entered through the narrow bar
red 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 Mt that!
Freddy pulled himself together and
with innate western hospitality told
the men to come in.
"Ef you want to see pop. you'd bet
ter wait" he volunteered. Hes gone
to track a deer but he'll be home bout
supper time"
The taller man Of the two punched
up the logs until a brilliant fame illu-
minated the room, furnishing the tow
colored hair of the twins until It shone
like gold. AS he Strengthened up he
caught sight of Teddy's trimming
eyes.
Hello. kid! You ain't afraid. are
you?" he said grutIly. but not unkindly.
The second man sat down on the far
side Of the fireplace, breathing heavily.
Teddy shook his head.
81 amt 'fraid. but thought you was
Santa Claus. Nom says he's block
AIDED somewheres along the trail. but !
guess he amt comm"
"Pshaw!" said the tall man. looking
from one boy to the other. This
storm was most unhandy fer the ole
gent" Then. In a wheedllng tone: |
But eff you was ter give us somethln'
ter eat p'r'aps we might help the ole
chap out n bit eff we come acrost him
up the trail. Now. eff you could show
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 babe him stop. He found the
bread. too. and some cold beans and
small slab of bacon.
1t was the tall man who did all the
work. His partner sat by the fireplace
detected and uninterested, but not un-
watched. Under the heavy brows Of
the would be cook anxious eyes kept
guard OH the aillng one. The two
children prattled on. enjoying the I'M
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.
1t certainly seemed to the twins that
never had they seen men eat as did
these strange guests.
81 wouldn't mind havin' a bit more
of that bacon" remarked the tall man
us the plates became bare.
"They amt any more" said Freddy.
with the frankneSs Of youth. "ner any
more beans"
There had been no sugar for the cof-
fee and only molasses Of the coarsest
brand for their bread. The sick man
looked up suddenly.
"Is there anything more to eat In the
house,"
"Oh, yes" replied Freddy cheerily.
"Thcrc's rice an potatoes an corn
meal. | heard pop -ell nom he reck-
oned it would last month or two
anyhow"
The two men looked into each 9th
er's eyes, and the taller said as he
pushed back his chair: "Wouldn't be
surprisin' eff that was why Santa
Claus didn't come this way. He's a
great feeder, you know. But eff we
come up with him crossin' the range
we'll tell him what good cooks you
are" He was pulling on his gloves
row. but he stopped and thrust hand
!nto his pocket. Here; give this ter
your mother an tell her we're sorry
fer the mess we left. but we amt got
| time ter clear up"
Then they were gone. and Freddy