Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-11-09

You are perfectly lucid"
We'll, good-by."
The snow spurted from under their
horses hoofs as they swung on TO the
north road. Then my driver shouted to
his team, and we, too, rushed forward.
but on the other track curying south
and east. For minute | could hear
their bells tinkling an echo in the dis
lance. Then they died away into ST.
lence.
My interest in the chase suddenly ex-
banded. Now that my cousin had DESERT
ed me, it seemed an ugly, dangerous
business. Marnac would stop at moth
ing, that was certain. Surprising we
should chance upon this desperate ma
Mae, what then? My driver was arm
ed, and had the appearance of q bold,
courageous man. Was he 40 in reality2
stared up at his back and wondered.
we had Travelled the half of a mile,
when from the black of the forest be-
lore us rose cry, a fierce, chuckling
bay that sent the horses plunging across
the road. In the solitude of those ice
bound woods it sounded the more threat
ening, the more utterly malignant.
sprang to my feet, gripping Reski by the
shoulder.
What is that?' l cried.
wolves, mein Herr"
"Will they attack us?v
Calm yourself, men Herr" he an
swered grufily, his eyes still set on the
track before him. '"rhe winter is young,
and their mouths are not empty.
The pace of the horses had dropped to
slow trot They advanced stfIiy, with
staring eyes and ears pricked forward. I
remained standing. peering across the
drivers seat at the white track that ran
dimly away between the banks of pines.
Suddenly from a snow-powdered thick
ct before us there burst chorus of low
snarls that grew into the short, angry
banks of dogs disturbed. With a jerk
the horses stopped, trembling and squeez-
ing themselves together with the fear
that was on them
They have something there" cried
Reski, and there was shudder in his
voice. otherwise they would not be 10
bold. Take the reins, mein Herr"
He thrust them into my hands and
jumped from the seat. His pistol flash
ed. and caught a glimpse of forms sour
Tying over the snow. Then the darkness
fell again like veil.
What have you foundY' l shouted.
Under the trees IL is hard to see'
came back his answer. "Perha psi was
mistaken. But wait"
He struck a match, and his tall, thin
figure sprang out in silhouette ms he
moved slowly forward. shielding the light
with his hands.
Here are the footprints of the wolves
it was here that they gathered.
There is something by the tree.
1t is not a log-ah, no but it is not
a log, though it lies so still.
fear to approach-how ] fear! Have
mercyl 1t is man! 1t is Ivan, my
sonr'
We were on Marnacs trail-the trail
of the dead.
At last it was all over Alone, for
dared not leave my hold upon the fright
ened horses, Reski carried his son to the
sleigh and laid him there beside me, with
rug across the face. He had been killed
from behind poor lad. with revolver
shot in the back of his head. He had
refused to proceed, and Marnac had not
hesitated. That was plain enough.
thanked God that we had been in time
Ito save him from the wolves.
Yet there had been but a short delay.
For when Reski had seen his dead be-
slowed upon the sleigh, he had taken
the reins and sent his horses forward. He
did not speak, nor did | offer him con-
ISOLATION. But as | watched him sitting
above me, peering ahead like some old
teak figure on vessels bows, there was
grim intensity about the man, fixed
resolve that was strange to Witness So
we fled through the night, down the
interminable avenues of pines, bearing
our dead with us.
1t was one o'clock when We lit upon
a wayside inn. Our camor aroused the
landlord, who directed us to where a ket-
tie simmering on the stove gave a warm
mash for the horses and hot coffee for
ourselves. He was sleepily injurious,
nor did he inquire what was the thing
beneath the rugs which we carried with
us. But he gave us news Marnac had
left there less than two hours before. lie
had been greatly delayed by a collision
with a tree, and some rough repairs had
been necessary. One Of his horses. too
had been slightly famed Yet Res5i
showed no unusual interest in the tale
we heard. He spent his time with his
horses, grooming and soothing them. 1t
was not till they had rested three-quar-
ters Of an hour that he called me out
from my seat by the stove, and again we
swept away upon the chase.
1t was at dawn that we sighted him.
He was climbing a long slope. a black
speck in the white riband Of a road.
Above him, long flakes Of orange cloud
were slowly Frightening and deepening
in color As he topped the HILL the sun
came peering up over a moorland heaped
with tumbled drifts. The sky flushed
and faded to a deep cobalt blue. So day
came.
1t almost seemed as If our horses UNI
derstood. They increased their pace