Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-08-11
A FROST AND
A THAW
BY ELLIOT WALKER
lCopyright, by Joseph B. BOWED

her mouth
THE end is comm" she muttered
behind the tightly closed fingers Il
simply can't endure hum any longer
Under the scanty gray hair, brushed
mercilessly back from the anxious
brow. her eyes, strained, fixed and
hopeless, presently roved with a slow
despair from the yellowpainted CELL
ing to the clean, worn dresser, where
stood the shining tins in readiness for
the mornings milk. Dropping her
hand, Dorcas gazed at them queerly.
Forty years I've flied pans right
here. Oh, what amt l done right
here? Stood and worked, ard thought,
and planned, laughed and cried, happy
and miserable, summer and winter.
rain and shine. Lordi Lord. Lord!"
She clasped her forehead, groaning
bitterly, with no tears, unconsciously
counting the we1l-used household i'm
p1ements hanging neatly on their
nails, and the array of canisters and
small spice-boxes on the shelf. ITO
drop dead would be a mercy" she
whispered. If 1 dared
Picking up keen-edged bread knife,
the woman patted the sharp point
with a finger, smiling grimiy while
she poked her corset ribs.
IF 1 had a heart. 'twould BIS about
here, 1 s'pose. PshawI That's no
way. If you get to thinkin' of that
No! While the fits on me I'll tell
him. Just as 1 am, I'll go out to the
barn and tell him I'm goin'. From his
actions lately, he ought to be willin'
enough. My soul, when did it all
start, and what for? It's like a wall
of ice, beginnin with a drop and
CROWN, CROWN, till we're froze apart
as WIDE as the poles. He knows it l
know it. It's beyond ever meltin'.
Nothin' to do but one thing"
Across the yard, unmindfu1 of the
dew still soaking the uncut grass and
the fact of ner low heel-trodden slip
pers, Mrs. Cope marched stolidly,
blind to the early sunshine. deaf to
her favorite robins, intent only upon
the words burning in her brain.
iii be cool and calm,'' she kept
saying, mumbling her lower lip. I'll
say, 'Beecher, what's the use? If
there's any comfort left on earth for
either of us We'll never find it togeth-
err. And he'll say-well-not much, l
guess. Why no need of luggin' this
knife out here she added, surprised
ly. Il thought 1 put it GOWN
The great barn door stuck and
creaked dismally as Dorcas squeezed
through, pushing an aperture sufi-
GENTLY wide to allow ingress for her
narrow figure. Hes in here some
where, she said to herself, with an
added irritation at the delay, as she
peered about. THE cows amt out
yet. What's that ladder dom there?
what's"
A low. dreadful cry burst from her.
Then she went up the ladder like
mad creature, bent over a beam and
slashed with the bread knife.
Beecher Cope fell heavily in heap.
Half sliding, half dropping, his wife
descended with perilous agility, few
to him. tore the moose from his neck,
rolled him over and sank to her knees.
Mr.. Cope was very much alive, albeit
somewhat purple and greatly shame
faced and dismayed. His rope had not
1een properly a~.usted. Having tied
his feet and hands with strong Irvine,
he was undergoing a slow and pain
full process of strangulation, with no
power to expedite matters. when his
better half had appeared on the scene.
Gasplng a few times, he cleared his
throat for speech.
-Dorcas Cope, don't you never let
on Cut them strings and II get up.'
Promise me you'll never try this
ag'in. If not. I'll leave you tied
Beecher Cope. I'll call in the neigh
borS-I'n-"
1.-The Lord hearin' me, I've had
enough. Dorcas."
Her face was like a white flint a.
she shipped the bonds, helped hin
stagger stiffiy to his feet. and took hi.
arm.
she said. quietly.
The stern-featured old man walked
Eubmissive-y by her side. He had no
trembled at the prospect of death, blu
now he shuddered. leaning against tn
woman with his head lowered
You druv me to it, he grunted az
gressively.
How"
Il dunno how. can't tell; but yo
did. For ten years you've been drivir
me to it, Dorcas-I couldn't stand
another day"
''Humph!" Mrs Cope's throaty ez
clamation was hardly distinct
They reached the kitchen. The hall
prepared breakfast was on the range
set down." said the woman
strangely. Drink this cup of hot tie;
Throat hurt your
-N-o-no, not much Kind {
choky
He gulped the beverage and hel
cut his cup LOT more Dorcas sat an
slipped hers
SNOW then she said