New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-28
THE HUT IN THE VALLEY.

CHAPTER X

THE HUT IN THE VALLEY.
The autumn DAYS were cold, ice had formed in
The pools and some snow had fallen when the last
fishing crew from Newfoundland left Wabistan.
Ivan and Ulrica watched the receding boat with
sinking hearts. They no longer hoped to hear of
their father this year. Navigation had become more
dangerous, and it was not probable that another
vessel would come 10 Wabistan before the spring.
The coast would soon be choked with ice, and the
remaining inhabitants would be shut in for the
When Mr.. Sinclair called at the cottage to say
French Canadian families would care for them as
time his inquiries for the missing father. and to
write If be heard anything but it was evident that
he, too had given up hope OF any early news. lie
sent from the stOrehOuse all that remained of the
seasons provisions barrel OF -four, some Indian
meal. buckwheat, rice, coffee, and large jar Of
gnolasses; also gun with powder and shot for
Ivan, ana yards Of heavy flannel, req and gray,
with needles, thread and thick woolen yarn for
on The day after the fishermen had sailed Ivan
went with his companions TO the inland valley
a9ed 4 o choo w se fdr Pass b 56e aGd t6d
Glrica she must not see IL till the house was I'm
brothers absence IIlrca was occuDjed in prepara-
Of heavy flannel underwear for herself and Ivan,
end a gray flannel dress trimmed with red for
Ine4t was baggy, but style was not considered at
and promised that when Ivan had killed a seal
she would learn 10 make sealskin boots and clothes
OF the settlement helped her make two large
vd birds The treat for this OCCASION was buck
wheat cakes and molasses with the usual Labra-
When the French families moved 70 the valley
c5ttage She agreed with Ivan that she would be
more comfortable there than in any Of the crowded
NaLey cabins. As she had not seen a wild animal
near the coast, and as II was improbable that any
was not afraid. But the lonely days, when she
knew there was not a human being within many
sound Of voice. the touch Of a hand. Even the
!al4iLs ana l-sl4liials haa gone aMaE Ils rs
was heavy with clouds and the sea Ieaden and
dreary. Sometimes the desolate girl walked on the
shore, finding cOmpaniOnship IN the booming or the
ehiveTiug TO her cottage Snow Law deep in the
hollows the steep rocks were slippery and walking
was dangerous one DAY there was tempest lous
wind with heavy shaw. Late in the evening Ivan
grew terrified by weird shadows and dismal sounds.
She put q beacon light in the window, and went
cbar The sfTkine oP the cIocl, ero1sad her She
started up, wide awake now, and realized that II
was midnight What had happened 10 her brother?
Perhaps-perhaps be had been lost in the binding
Enowi
There was some one outside. She heard the
and ran 70 the door But She paused with her
hand on the latch for quick intuition tod ner
and looked out through a tiny hole IN the blind A
darkness she could not see whether he a
stranger or one Of the valley dwelleTs another
yEayfarer began TO batter angriy upon the door as
II eHraged man no one had opened it for him He
talked rapidly, too, but his words seemed 10 be
an uLintelligIble jabber.
Clrica grew cold with fear She had heard Of a
oemented half breed who lived about thirty miles
inland, ana who had wa dered alone last year 70
Wabistan. Was this man the crazed Denis Lee
beau2 IA so he rnisht break down the door and
kin her. The cottage was OF one story but a space
between the rafters and the pointed roof offered
shelter. Ivan had constructed q rough ladder ana
had made storage place up there. II bhe could
climb and draw the ladder after her she might be
safe Her feet We're the ladder when the crea-
ture without left the door and attacked the win
dow Ulrica heard the sm lshing oT glass ana took
= desperate course SummonlnS me courage 81
her soldier ancestors she went 70 the door, drew
the bolt with trembling hands, ana invited the
stranger 10 come IA. When he entered she greeted
him with q smile
His clothes were tattered; he was pinched and
hollow checked, and his wild eyes had no Ngtlt OF
Teason in them. but he did not appear ieTocl9Hs-
lie pointed his mouth and shook his mead sddly,
'Itungry.' he mUttcred. hungry
Lirica nodded WotiOned 20 a CHAIR ana maze
haste 10 set food before him. lie are 4lke one
starvng. When she flied his plate again. ne TOOK
Der hand, and patted II softly, multerlng ana
tookinE I'D at her "a 4 In thanks. She RsgaYfq