Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1902-03-13

<AudulSs Wise WITH 11uSu WOIH-huO"A-
edge, declared that the "wind was
only knocked outen him." and he
would be all right in a day or two.
But, the heart having already gone
out of Archie, under Genie's per-
sistent silence, the return of the
missing "wind'' seemed impotent to
restore him. The three-days' storm
which bore down upon them week
later found him still tossing in his
bunk, sleeblessly in the nighttime,
shivering over the fire by day. The
third day of the storm was still suf-
ficiently severe to keep all the men
in the shanty. Toward evening "Bis
Billie" the camp giant and humorist,
organized the men into a company of
impromptu actors, burlesquing the
dance-parties so common in the home
regions.
All the men not dancing were or
dered to the hunks, for the sake of
room. Jonathan Newling, for the sake
of spite, occupied portion of the bunk
under Archie's, and enjoyed himself
hugely, chattering easily of Genevieve
Dixon and past good times-most of
them wholly imaginary-enjoyed in
her company. Archie, at last enraged,
and half mad with irritation, leaped
from the bunk and insisted on fight
ing. He was all the more angry when
the other men interfered. "Big Billie"
sprang to the rescue of peace in most
characteristic fashion.
"Circle threes, in a ga1lop and waltz!"
he shouted, naming figure universally
popular in Muskoka. And, Selling
Archie with one hand and Jonuthan
with the other, he whirled them a. ound
with him. The noise of their "waltz-
ing and of the other mems amuse-
ment quite drowned the soft pounding
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. Jack Dixon,
younger brother to Genevieve, was in
among them, pale, half-frozen and
exhausted, before they had dreamed
of visitor.
"Come quick, if you want to see Gene
alive, Archie" he gasped, Immediately.
"She's terribly ill-sort of fever-and
ther doctor don't think she'll see to-
morrow. It's awful outside, but got
over somehow. I think you can ride
back"
Hands rough but kindly reached out
on all sides to encase Archie in his out
er garments. The boy Jack was sup
piled with whisky sufficient to kill him
twice inside of two minutes. When
Angus McAdams' best team came
around for Archie and to replace Jacks
exhausted Dobbin, Jonathan Newling
came, too, riding the horse borrowed
from team-owning cousin. Straight:
over to Archie's shoulder he leaned
tensely, and rested a shaking hand on
the other mans shoulder.
"I'm goin' with ye," he said, in hoarse
excitement. It'll be a wild night, an
ye're not over yer bruises yet, Their
lads dead weary, an know ther trail
better'n We both. An, Archie" rails
ing his voice to a hollow rumble, "that
was lie told ye about Billions party,
and Gene goin' home with Sam Bailey.
Both on 'em was sick that evenin', and
neither on 'em was nigh Their party at
ALL"
Archie made no answer; he was
dumb and dazed from the shock OF
Jacks nervous summons. heboy him
self seemed to hear nothing. But
eager listeners nodded hearty approval
of Jonathan's conduct, and "Big Billie"
shouted: "Well done!"
Then off into the night and storm
rode the three men together, off upon
the long journey which the good Goo
rendered so miraculously safe ana
rapid. And never word was spoken
between them until J Jonathan, who hau
led the way and breasted the storm
all through it, refused to enter the
Dixon home.
"Pl come to the wedding breakfast,
insteH,' he called back, grimly, as his
tired horse plodded down the road.
For Genevieve's father had met them
at the gate with the news that the
girl was better, and it was Jonathan's
turn to feel sick at heart and dispirit-
ed as Archie hurried in to greet her.
But at the wedding breakfast Gem
evieve noticed that he paid great
attention to the younger sister,
Alice, whose eyes and smile so
strongly resembled her own; and
since Alice has been heard to re.
mark, recently, that she doesn't
think a crooked smile at all important,
so long as the eyes above and the heart
beneath it are tender and straightfor-
ward, it seems not at all unlikely that
Jonathan, too, will watch eagerly for
Angus McAdams' weekly mail-budget
this winter