Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1902-05-02
ON THE
FORT KANE
RHeA By Cicely
Allen
Copyright. 1901. By A. 3. Richardson

against the snow !ncrusted 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
! faltcring explanation that the old chap
could not get across the range, but
when they had cuddied beneath their
| own buffalo robe and at q 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
Emountains. 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 desolate western
home. Her husband had gone away,
ostensibly in search of deer meat. Per-
haps IN reality he wanted to get be-
| You'd sight Of those four pathetic, ques-
tioning eyes. G,r there was absolutely
not dollar III the house with which to
placate Santa Claus. Indeed it was q
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 were 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.
"rheys somethin' comm. Ted!
hear itw
Their hearing. sharpened by long
days and nights In mountain silences.
caught the distant PUNK, PUNK of an
approaching horse. There ought to
have been bells and reindeer. but any
sort Of vehicle or animal would do If
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 deer. but he'll be home bout
supper time"
The taller man Of the two punched
up the logs until brilliant flame illu-
minated the room. furnishing the tow
colored hair Of the twins until 1t shone
like gold AS he Strengthened up he
caught sight OF Teddy's brimming
| eyes.
"Hello. kid! You amt afraid. are
your" he said grutlly but not unkindly
The second man sat down on the fa,
side Of the fireplace, breathing heavily
Teddy shook his head.
II amt 'fraid. but thought you was
Santa Claus. Nom says he's block
AIDED somewheres along the trail. but
guess he mint comin'."
"Pshaww said the tall man. looking
from one boy to the other. This
storm was most unhandy fer the ole
gent" Then. In wheedling tone
but Of you was ter give us somethin
ter eat pr'aps we might help the ole
chap out a bit If we come acrost hin
up the trail, Now. Of you could show
me where the coffee was. an some ba
con. we could do the rest"
q Freddy was I'LL Importance on tn.
coffee and ground away until the bis
man babe him stop. He found til,
bread. too. md some cold beans and ,
small slab of bacon.
II was the tall man who did all th,
work. His partner sat by the tireplac,
: detected aud uninterested. but not un
! WATCHED. Under the heavy brows Of
the would be cook anxious eyes KEEP
, guard on the ailing one. The tw,
children prattled on. enjoying the un
usual opportunity of playing hosts
At lest the scant meal was set forth
and the two men slammed their chair.
before the table. covered with oil
cloth.
: II certainly seemed to the twins tina
never had they seen men eat as die
these strange guests.
Il wouldn't mind havin' II bit NOR,
of that hacon." remarked the tall mar
as the plates became bare.
They aln't any more" said Freddy