The Grit-advocate., 1903-03-27

! Next lGt. III company Win hdlStoh,
he set out to find the men lost in the
forest.
II had been nearly three years since
Theodore Lakeland had seen Paul
Miller, and no wonder he failed to rec
oguize him. Such change had suf-
ferinG and hardship marked on aim
that he more nearly resembled some
ferocious animal than a human being.
When he uttered cry and pronounc-
ed Lacklands $ name that individual
asked:
Who are you?
But he had heard that voice and
knew the man. 1t was Paul Miller
transformed into wild man. Paul
glared ferociously at the men whom
he had first welcomed as friends.
Don't come-don't approach mel"
he hissed, his eyes flashing with fire.
Il understand your deyilish, malicious
designs upon me, and | will shoot you
dead if you come too close"
Il have come to find you, my dear
friend. The dog courier bore the mes
in the woods, and we set out to find
you
Paul grew weak and dizzy, and, sit
ting down on the snow, gasped:
Il didn't know it would fall into
your hands, or | would have perished
in the woods before l sent it,
Lakeland gave Cummins Il wink and
fn hp1 bn oft nf
Paul, while his hireling slipped behind
him to attack him from the rear.
You misapprehend us, Paul." con-
tinued Lakeland I'VE don't intend
any harm to you. You are sick; you
are almost perishing, but we want to
save you"
Il don't want to be saved by such as
way to Dawson City alone"
Cummins at this moment seized him
from behind. Paul made desperate
struggle to free himself. but famine,
suffering and toll had overcome him
completely, and he soon lay breath
less on the snow.
Il am sent by Miss Laura Kean,
u,
conduct you to her."
It's lie. Oh, my heavens, l know
it is a lie, and am unable to resist"
The name of the woman he loved
pronounced by the lips he hated most
seemed to have filed him with rage,
and he struggled like madman to
break away from his captors. Two
TO. no -
Minis, and they threw him upon the
snow with such force that when they
lifted his body his head fell back. Pau
was insensble The blood was trickl-
ing from a wound in his forehead, and
dyeing the virgin snow.
Thunder, I'm afraid he is dead!"
Lakeland declared
They carried him down the noun
tain side for mile. where there was
grove of pines. and, calling a halt,
built fire. He then sent for a sled
to take the wounded man back to
camp.
"Cummins,' said Lakeland, now,
comes the finest scheming we have
ever done"
What is it?"
I'VE must keep them separate"
"Who?"
The wounded man and the girl.
also want to separate the old woman
from the young woman. and l think
| have hit upon scheme that will
be sure to win. This fellow will need
a nurse. and | will coax the old wo-
man to stay with him.
The sled was brought and Paul who
had recovered, but was delirious, was
placed on it. He had every symptom
of brain fever Lakeland began to
speculate on the chances of his recov-
cry, and decided they were slim.
They conducted him to a place on
the lake two miles above the present
camp and set his men to work build
ing hut for the wounded man.
After seeing the sufferer comfort
able in the rude shanty constructed
for him, and setting some Indians to
cutting wood to supply him, Lakeland
went to the camp where Laura had
been left.
Then with face deeply furrowed
with anxiety he waited on Miss Kate
Willis and said:
My good woman, l came to ask
favor of you
Kate gave him doubling glance,
ard said in a snappish manner:
What is it?"
Il almost hesitate. for the request
is serious one We found poor,
wandering Klondyker on the noun
tainside, bereft of his reason and
nearly dying. He needs the tender
care of some kind-hearted woman to
nurse him back to life
Where is he?" she asked, her man
ner at once changing.
He is at the grove mile or two
back on this trail"
why didn't ye bring him here?"