The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-06-23
PREPARATION.
Bx NELLIE cRAvEY onLMonE.

AOANAH NAVNtA ~ AA% 49, W -
mountain-hut, watching the da.
take its last spasmodic breaths
For the first time in many days
the air was clear of snow, but the
dull, congested cloud hanging low
overhead, seemed only gorgine
itself for a fresh outburst. In the
distance, shadowy chains Of noun
tains thrust their craggy SUBMITS
into a misty black expanse, and
nowhere was there sign or sound
TO mitigate the stiffness.
AS Rogers still waited, the last
thread Of daylight wayered dimly
across the barren and spun itself
out in the swiftly encroaching
darkness. At the signal, be
turned abruptly back into the
room and made the door secure
behind him. He struck light and
stood surveying the small, boxlike
apartment with weary, unrecon-
oiled eyes. Instead of making him
forget, the five years exile-each
day and hour a link forged into a
chain Of deliberate destiny
seemed but to bind him more keen
ly, more irreyOcably, to the Past.
AS he bitterly reviewed the
crushing sorrow of that Other
Life, with all its ensuing empti-
ness and hurt, a variety Of emo
tions were depicted upon his thin,
expressive face. But they passed
as quickly as they came, and Rog
ers lifted his head with a startled,
alert movement as a vague, bur
unmistakable sound struck on
his trained ear; a mufiied cry of
distress. In a moment il repeat
ed itself, sharp and human and de-
spairing. He jumped to his feet,
hurried to the door and flung il
wide open.
There was a gust Of biting air
and a binding whip Of sleet in his
eyes, like the sting from thou
sands OF tiny lashes. But he
jerked in his breath by a tremen.
dous effort, and with swift foot.
steps, made his way across the
snow-carpeted barren TO where a
huddled object showed sharply
against the ghostlike whiteness.
He stopped and touched the
prostrate figure with gentle
hands, but there was no response,
and gathering the unconscious
man in his arms, he staggered |
back into the cabin. AS carefully |
Is a woman might have done, be
'laced him on his own rude pal
ct, and piled the fire high with
resh fuel, the Goals breaking iu
into a kissing blaze. Then
le procured a flask Of brandy and |
orced a few drops OF 1t between
he sick mans teeth. BE swal-
cwed it spasmodically, and in a
ittIe while there were signs Of
ife .<LMn-
IEgers sat down in front OF the
Ire, keeping his eyes on the 9th
RS face, who seemed now to be
sleeping naturally. Once, ne
bent to replenish the fire, and
when he looked up again the mans
wide-open gaze was full upon him
In a strange, startled scrutiny.
Rogers left his chair and came
up TO him with a reassuring smile.
"Feel any better now?" be
asked.
The other nodded and tried to
raise himself on one elbow, but
put him back gently. "Not
yet awhile" he cautioned.
The stranger closed his eyes
wearily and again seemed to
sleep. His breathing was good,
and there was a clear color in his
cheeks. But presently be looked
up again and spoke:
Rogers" he said, abruptly,
ave been looking all over crea-
tion for you and I've found you at
last"
'Iooking for-me?"
'For you, yes. ] am a dying
man. Look at me and You can see
that"
Consumption" he went on,
tapping his chest with one weak
hand; "the doctors told me ]
couldn't last a month" He was