Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-05-01

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the while, in his over-wrought fancy,
he heard the cry Of the mother-wolf
for food, and once he was sure that a
pair Of luminous eyes were watching
them from the dusk.
"It's no use" said the man at last, Il
can't make i'll" and he sank Imply on
the bank.
Laugfield took off his coat and rolled
it into a pillow, then started below
again. In the outfit there would be
matches, and blankets enough for the
night.
just as he reached them long, whin-
ing howl broke the stiffness. Another
followed, and another. They were
tracking along the trail.
To the man, straining every s:new
under his heavy load, il meant but one
thing. Mechanically he held to his
burden and stumbled on. His head
swan dizzily, and the brush about him
seemed to swarm with uncertain
shapes. With a superhuman effort he
hoisted the blankets over the last little
ledge Of rock and drew himself up be-
hind them.
The sick man lay where he had left
him, but creeping toward him on the
bank was a 1.-THE, gray shadow. 1t was
less than a dozen feet away.
Langfeld drew his revolver, then,
by the sudden spit of the fire, he saw
what he had done
"Shiversl" he cried. There was
glad whine of recognition, as the dog
tried to drag himself toward him.
Langfield was kneeling beside him in
moment. "Shivers, old friend" he said,
and somewhere on his tourney TO the
Dog Star" shivers heard. His stump
of a tail wagged an answer, and in his
glazing eyes there was look Of perfect
trust.
The night wore on. Slowly the gray
skirts Of dawn swept across the east
ern sky,
Langfeld stiIl sat with the dog in |
his arms. The prospector could not |
see his face, but the slight dropping |
shoulders seemed familiar The pain |
was growing unbearable, and he
groaned.
Langfeld started. "Yes, yes" he an
swered, absently I'D forgotten"
He put the dog gently from him and |
stood up The morning light was flood
ing everything, and it fell fun upon /
the two men as they looked into each
others eyes. Langfeld drew in his
breath with sudden sharpness. The
other muttered an oath and leaned
weakly back against the bank.
Tom Perry" CALCULATED Langield,
taking step toward him. "Youl"
The man nodded.
The lines on LangfeId's face were
tense and drawn, and he steadied him
self with an effort "Well" he said at
last, tits three miles to the camp, and
we'd better be moving"
There were a few drops left in his
,anteen. He offered them to his
converted himself into a
prop for the wounded side, and the
slow, painful journey down the trail
began.
Neither Of them talked much. The
mist hung midway on the mountain,
Ind when they emerged from IL, the
'ompany's quarters lay on the ledge
below. Already the camp was astir.
The two men upon the path paused
Exhausted. Langfield eased the sick
nan down and threw himself before
lin. He had not eaten since the day
'efore, and was weak and giddy. The
olitude was oppressive Blue-faced
glaciers smiled mockingly out of the
avines, raven croaked from the
lders, and the memory of Dolly
eemed lowering in the light. For
he first time Perry's helplessness
emPted him. Why should this man {
lot have everything which he had
zen denied2 He felt again the dumb. {
leading eyes of Shivers. Shiyers had '
owed him; he had never known that
lis master was plain and red-headed,
nd Shivers-was dead.
Langfield mechanically slipped his
and to the sheath in his belt. stole
sideways glance at his companion.
nd saw that his eyes were closed.
lie drew out the knife and held il be-
ind him. His breath came in short.
onvulsive gasps.
Just then Perry gave stifed
ioan. The sound brought Langfield
0 his senses. What was that he had
ltended 60 do2 A fit OF trembling
aized him. He rose to his feet, though
e reeled as he did so. There was a
Witt movement of his right arm, and
omething glanced in the light and
I'll far below them in the brush.
NO one needs me-" he thought.
and Tom"
Come he said aloud, "we must
ct you down for-your wife's sake"
The man did not reply at first.
hen he did his voice was trifle husky
Il have none," he said
Langtield stared at him. "Nbv-I
oily" he bmrted out. "She-" he
cyan and stopped again, but Perry s.
Understood. q
'N-o,' he replied with an effort e
she didn't want me-" He turned bis