Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-26

talking or the OlQ hOOdOO, ana now Sne worried over her suspicious until she could stand the suspense no longer.
 It was daybreak. The gray light stole duly in at the two small windows. She wrapped a heavy shawl about her. and stepped out into the woodshed that was built close against the back of the house.
 The three dogs parked and whined in a chorus of greeting at sight of her, and she unloosened their chains and let them romp into the house. All at once the largest, Travers' favorite, stopped short on the door sill, with uplifted nose and forepaw and howled anxiously. The other two had crouched gratefully beside the stove.
 'Go in, Tramp" said Betty.
 Tramp howled louder and longer, and turning from the door, pushed her out doors and plunged into the snow.
 For an instant she hesitated, her heart beating fast with dread, then slip ping on the high rubber boots which Travers had laughingly insisted be- longed in the trousseau of a North Da- kota bride, she followed the trail of Tramp.
 The snow had stopped falling. It lay in huge drifts around the house like frozen sea. The air was sharp and bit-, terly cold. It stung her face like the cut of whip, and left path behind. Now and then he stopped. lifted his head, and sent out the long howl that found echo in her own heart. He was making his way steadily towards the northeast division. At first she kept up with him, but before they had covered mile the dog was far ahead, and she traced him by the tracks he left for her.
 Suddenly his howls ceased, and she heard him barking. Struggling on with dizzy brain, and numbed body, she found him standing over a body half buried in the snow, licking the icy hands and face with frantic joy.
 ''Don!" she cried. Don, husband, an- swer me-"
 It was Travers. From head to foot he an instant the truth flashed on her. Rocky had lied about the herd, and had taken his revenge, leaving Travers helpless at the mercy of the blizzard, as his brother had met his death.
 She knelt beside him, her head on his breast to catch the fiutter of life. It beat faintly and irregularly, and when she pressed her lips to his with eager, ten- der pleading there was a drowsy lifting of his eyelashes.
 The sharp crack of a pistol broke the stiffness of the frozen prairie. As it came again Tramp set up an answering howl of alarm and there came long, drawn shout.
 "Tra-versi''
 "Here!" called Betty.
 Through the drifts came two ponies, breasting their way sturdily, and the riders were Charlie Hickson and Bunny Pierce, standing in their stirrups, and letting out yells of joy when they saw the group in the snow.
 Ut was Rocky who did it, though he didn't just exactly do it with any good 'intentions,'' Bunny said later, when they.had reached the ranch and the color was creeping back into Travers' face. Did he tell you what he had done?" demanded Betty, passionately. What dld you DOyS do to him! In1nk cOulQ have shot him myself
 She bent over Travers with the fierce protective love of a panther mate, and Bunny looked at her approvingly.
 We didn't have to do nothing to him, ma am" he said, regretfully. "He was all done for. He must have struck out for Sunrise with the two horses and lost his way, but. the horses knew theirs, and they landed him safe at the north division bunkhouse."
 "Alive?" It was Travers who spoke.
 Bunny bent to rub off some snow that was melting on Tramp's brown coat, and he did it gently, as to comrade.
 "No Deader'n dead" he replied, slowly. And he didn't stay in the sad- dle either. He just dropped over one side, with one foot hung in the stirrup, and his pony dragged him along. We knew Chance, and came looking for what was left of you.'
 Travers' arms closed around Betty closely, as she knelt beside him. Neither spoke, but Bunny put in a last sentiment that was an epitaph to Rocky Davis.
 'fThe hoodoo of the Crossbar's sure done up for good this time"
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