Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-01-04


md over sensitive. and that was why
he felt certain that Dolly could never
love him. To be sure. he had had no
intention of loving her. but when six
feet two of well.developed manhood.
in the person of Tom Perry. came down
from Circle City prospecting, Langheld
found intentions and love had nothing
TO do with each other.
Tom and Dolly had known each other
in the States, and Langfeld watched
with hopeless pain the renewal Of their
Friendship. She had grown shy with
him since Perry came. and there could
be but one reason, he argued. He did
not blame her: there was nothing In
him to inspire 'womans love. and
Tom. SO he packed his flute and
his knapsack and left with scarcely u
farewell.
The men were nci Fond of Langtield.
He had a way of shrinking into him
self that only Shivers, the camp mas
cot, lank. mongrel Siwash with the
stump of tail. understood.
Langfeld seldom Joined the camp.
fires. but when the fever broke out
Langfield was the first TO offer his SER
vices. He was not afraid of contagion,
he told the sergeant. and anyway there
was no one at home who needed him.
After that he and Shivers took up their
quarters In the hospital tent.
The fever had It's run, but only one
thanks to the nursing. was borne up
the trail and laid away under the snow.
Langtield planed a piece of spruce
scantling and drove II in by the mound.
but his hand was unsteady, and his
eyes were heavy and dull.
The top sergeant. on his rounds the
next morning. found him sitting up in
his blankets. His face was swollen
and discolored. and he was talking cx'
citedly to Shlvers.
'You mustn't let Dolly get the fever, y
he said. "she's SO little. Nor Tom
promise me you won't let Tom" Shlv-
ers whlned and thrust his muzzle Into
his masters palm. "She couldn't help
loving him." Langfield continued de-
fcnsively. "You know she couldn't
YOURSELF He fell back on the pillow
and tossed restlessly for moment.
eth be cool up there under the snow, -
he began again. land l won't be heavy
10 pack. And say" He sat up. pull
ing the dog close to him. maybe she'll
fOrget-that my hair was-red."
The men were very tender to Lang
field after that, and Shivers seldom left
his bedside.
When. some weeks later, he became
convalescent. he seemed smaller and
slighter than ever, and his hair shone
more wildly red against the pinched
white face. They carried him out Into
the sunshine, but his eyes wandered
regretfully up to the snow.
In month ne was at his post again
doing the work Of two men, with
scarcely the strength of one.
He went down the mountain one
night an hour behind time. The trail
was slushy and the early gray tw
light lent soft lndstinctness every
where. Suddenly he paused. From
somewhere there came a faint cry
weak anu lHuIsllHSt' put uhu'HlapI.
human.
Langfield made trumpet OF hi
hands. "Hcl-low he shouted, an,
strained his ears for the reply.
Some ten feet down the trail gla
cier stream had quilted out the banl;
Its icy, .slate.colored waters fell almos
perpendlcularly over the rocks. Creep
ing to the slippery edge, he peered owe
and called again. \ faint voice m
swered.
4 steep, shelving path was just Wis
ible, and he clambered down to Il
scratched and torn by the brambles n
every step. 4 little further on a 70
of blankets impeded his way, and h
knew that somewhere IN the ravine he
low he would find prospector,
The man proved to be big fellow
hut the light was too dim 10 see hi
face. The force Of his fall had wedge
one leg between the creylces of rocl
and Il took Langfield's entire strengt
10 extrlcate him. He pressed his car
teen 10 he strangers lips and rubbe
him vigorously.
ITS no use" said the man at las
81 can't make it, and he sank lmpl
on the bank.
The night wore on. Slowly the gra
skirts Of dawn swept across the cas-
ern sky. The prospectOr could not 50
I.anghelds face, but the slight drOol
ing shoulders seemed familiar. II
pain was growing unbearable, and i
eroaned.
I.angileld started. Yes, yes" he al
swered absently. "Id forgotten" an
Jumped 10 his feet
The morning light was flooding O.
erythng, and II fell upon the two mel
- they looked into each others eye
Langfield drew in his breath with SUI
den sharpness. The other muttere
IN oath and leaned weakly back I
ward him. You"
The man nodded.
The lines on Langflcld's face We
tense and drawn. and he steadled hiI
self with an effort. We'll" he said .
last, "it's three miles to camp, and We
better be moving"
There were q few drops left In b