The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1903-09-18
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THE FiGHT OF HIS LIFE.
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T-Wy HAT you sayy" and Raoul
S looked sharply from the
M trap he had been scrapng
AN and cleaning. But the Wis.,
M Ml ltor's face was only friendly
and inquiring, without sar-
casm or impertlnence. and the moment
ary CLEAN In the trapper's eyes died
cut. He had grown to like this stran-
ger. and had told him more things
concerning his past life than he had
ever diyulgcd to any living man be-
fore. But the last question had cut
deep.
For a long time he bent over the
trap. his fingers trembling as he
scraped the rust from the jaws and
shank. All around were evidences OF
speedy departure. his gun standing in
corner. cleaned and polished until Its
barrel shone like a mirror. his blan.
kets. provisions. all the rest Of the
traps, even his moccaslns and snow
shoes. packed and fastened into COM
pact bundles for convenient carrying.
on wolfskln n few feet away the
dog lay with his nose resting upon his
outstretched paws, motlonless. but
with his eyes wide open. watching,
He understood, and was ready and
waiting. Twenty-four hours, and he
and the trapper would start for their
winter In the Far North. where every
day was In close companlonshlp with
life and death.
As he saw the shndow come 20
Raoul's face and slowly fade. the Wis.
itor stepped forward impulslvcly. plac-
ing his hand upon the trappers shout
der.
II beg your pardon. Raoul." he said,
81 did not know. l was merely inter-
ested In your life. and spoke without
thinking. You may tell me something
else.
"Non. non. m'sleu; I been tell You
bout dis. II Is not dat be ashame."
and Raoul forced the last vestlge OF
shadow from his face But he was
still grave. at aim YER mooch to tell,
m'sieu." he went on. "only jes' one little
part OF my life. nm It happen long long
time ago, an all In two. tree week.
But young peoples like hear 'hout dose
/ things. an dis he so YER long time by"
| drawing hard breath, which he forced
into n mirthless chuckle. "dat l ain
min tellln' bout him. You been tlnk
II funny ain like no girl, dat ain
new be married. dat ain new make
no homep
Eyes. n you don't mind my saying
So" the visitor answered. "You are
n strong. handsome man. even though
your hair is turning gray and you are
Scared by encounters with wild ami
mails and the elements; and You are
straightforward and ienceI hearted
and a gentleman In all your Instincts
Just such n person rs any thoughtful
girl might learn TO love"
Raoul shook his head.
'T'nnk you. m'sieu" he said. "but
you ain know ALL Dat toughtful girl
been like man who stay In home an
fix up things an ain new car run
roun'. l been like run roun' all de
time when | was hoy | run on to
be hunter. an when | grow TO be man
like more as anything to go way on
in de wood 'mong de big game, I be
strong man, oul. but long time ago,
fore dc hair turn. be mooch stronger.
Notln ain suit me SO well In dose day
ms to fin de hlgges' an wll'es' game
I'm all de place roun' an den see which
de stronges'. him or me. Sometime l
been t'row de gun down an roll MP dc
sleeves. Jest TO make de wrestle more
fair.
but you ain car bout all dis" his
animation suddenly vanishing II beer
goln tell bout de girl. Her fader come
to work long me on de reeyer. an hin
an me be YER good frlen's. Folk say
likely young man den" simply, "ver
strong an YER handsome. De fadel
like me an say SO, an tink de CIR
been like me some. An -" h,
stopped suddenly. raising his keen
dcep-set eyes 20 the visitors face
"You ey know a girl dat was an ange
come down TO show what heaven beer
llkeY he asked; "sweeter den anything
you ev' dream OF IN de worr before
closer In your heart den life. an NOR,
far on as de stars? You ev' know
herT
Yes" the visitor answered, tender
almost reverent look coming into hi
eyes, II know her"
"You un'erstan' dem" Raoul went on
"Llfe ain notln' 'cep' Il goln' max
dat girl more happy an better on
She not like any girl ev' see before
an dere plenty handsome girl IN Can
, ada. She be more like some great lad.
dat ain proud an ain know she beel
hansome-only Elise ain educat. Sh
one queen drop down In de wood b,
mistake, an grow up fore peoples On
! out When t'ink maybe she goir
come live long me til We both be dead