The National tribune., 1902-05-22

Enotted fingers clutchcd at the short graS:
IN a vain attempt to rise to his feet. The
sun was well down in the west. and there
was Il threat of snow in the air. To re
main where he was all night meant almost
certain death to Wick HawSer. and he
knew it. He had the stOicism of an In
dian. people of the Basshawk Valley said
and il was not often that murmurs Eel
from his lips On the present occasion.
however. there was no one to hear and
whatever of clildiShnesS was in the Old
mans nature showed itself. The old log
ger had fallen from tree-top. into which
he had climbed in order to get better
observation Of the surrounding country,
with results that threatened to complete
his career. Not far away the CLEAN of
water met his vision. Too well he realized
the peril of his position. He was ut least
three miles from the nearest lumber camp,
his position surrounded by broad eXpanSe
of the lake. The tree from which he had
fallen grew near the center of small
island. Nobody was likely to come his
way for day at least, and then it would
be too late ito be of benefit to him. The
boat bv means of which he had reached
the island was nowhere in sight. Even
had this not been so it would not have
avaiIed him, since his fail had. he felt sure,
broken some bones, so that he was abject-
~ helpless.
A groan fell from his bearded lips, while
his thoughts were none Of the most pleas
ant. He called TO mind hearing it said
that men in dangerous positions when
about to pass into eternity were tormented
with memories of their past misdeeds.
Something of this kind oppressed him now,
and cast q deep gloom over his soul. He
had been bad man. there was no denying
that. His poor wife could have borne wit
ness to many unrighteOuS acts of his She
could not testify against him now, how
ever, having passed over the great river
wear ago. But there was Kenneth. All,
yes, the boy who had his mothers eyes
and hair-he who had so long desired OPP
portunities which the backwOods of Michi-
gan did not afford; he had been hard with
him. Such reflections did not tighten the
burden of pain and mental distress atflIct-
ing the old man of the pineriess
His visit to the island, too, had not been
prompted by the most honorable motives.
He had sought to spy upon the movements
of his neighbor, against whom. justly or
unjustly. he nUrsed a bitter feud.
The shadows deepened. The cold in
creased. and fakes of snow began sitting
down through the sparse limbs above, set
Ting softly on his griZzIed beard and IN
the meshes of his gray hair.
"0h. ohr' with a shTug of his massive
shoulders and a drawing up of his limbs,
which served only to intensity his agony.
Doomed. Doomed
These words rang in his ears as from
an unseen source. Some one was hooking
him in his helplessness. The old man be-
gan crashing his teeth and crying out in
a loud voice for help. None seemed at
hand. The cold increased, and the dismal
sough Of the wind through the pines pOr-
tended a night of extreme rigor. To die
like chained panther with no one near
to sOothe his last moments, WIS more bit
ter than gall.
Kenneth, Kenneth. where are ye"
mOaned the voice of the once strong old
wOodsman, now weak as an infants wall.
Hark.
4 sound is borne en- the swell of the ris-
ing gale that is like sweet music to the
ear Of the suffering old mana paddle
dip He knows well the sound. His eX-
perienced ear has heard it too many times
TO be mistaken. But the boat and its 0c-
cupant may pass the island. Inheeding
his extremity. Again Wick Hawser lifts
up his voice in cries for help. He realizes,
TO his great JOY. that he has been heard.
& canoe CRATES upon the sand. and its sin
gle occupant hurrieS across the interyen-
ing space to his side.
"Only a gall groaned the injured man.
as a pleasant, girlish face bends above
him.
..You are hurt" she said. How can
help you:"
You can't help me-" groaned Hawser.
''Go fur man"
But / am sure I can do something"
said the girl. My canoe is quite large
enough for two. Let me help you to the
water"
She laid hold of his arm. A groan fol
lowed. and he seemed to cling to the
ground like 4 log.
Can't you help yourself the least bit,
Mr.. Hawser?'
MY leg is broke twice in two" he said
huskily. I'm weaker'n a cat. Can't ye
call a man? I'll die here eff We don't"
4 look Of troubled perplcxity settled
over the girls face.
Il might go for a man." she said; "but
that would occupy much time. | think,
yes. I'm sure. | can get You to the canoe
some way. after which it will be an easy
matter to take You anywhere you wish to
CO."
Her cool confidence in her powers serv-
cd to reassGre the old man, whose deal
ings with the gentler sex had been limited.
He was finally persuaded to permit the
girl to take his arm. and aid him gently
yet fOrCibly to drag himself to the waters
edge. Once in the canoe, he felt very
much relieved. His rescuer, who. as he
could see even in the waning light of the
Winters day, was young and pretty. seat
paddle with the dexterity Of an Indian.
Take me ter Cuffs Landin'," said
Hawscr. after he had settled himself as
well as the nature of his injuries would
permit.
at is much nearer to the landing oppo-
Site GOOdwin's camp. r.
NO. not there, not thcrew almost
shrieked the old man. Gold Goodwin's a
scoundrel, q thief. He stole timber from
me, and III land him in prison some day
ur hang his hide on Their fence. Take me
where | tell We, gal"
a rude old fellow" thought the girl,
wincing perceptibly under his tongue-lash,
ing Of Mr.. Goodwin. She made TO at
tempt to argue with him or TO in any way
Influenced his prejudiced mind. In silence
she guided her canoe toward the landing
designated by the old logger.
He had ceased TO groan. He had lis,
tener now, and his stoicism had returned
10 him once more. To betray any weak
ness in the presence Of this homespun girl
was not to be thought Of however CRATE
full he might and really did feel for the
good service she was doing for him.
At the landing a man with a team was
discovered. one of the river transfers. who
knew Wick Hawser, and who agreed tc
convey him TO his own camp as quickly rs
the rough surfdce of the ground and the
nature Of the old loGger's injuries would
permit.
jest a minnit." said the old man. a.
the girl was turning away after seeing hel
charge safely ensconced on some blanket.
in the bottom of Dick Morgan's Wagon
box. The girl hesitatingly tnrried, Will
one. mittened hand resting lightly on tn,
edge Of the wagon. Il don't want "