Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-03

that which kindled his own.
The walking party gathered on the side OF
the road. There were two sturdy railroad
hands, with great bull's-eye lanterns; an old
countryman, whose home lay on the way to
Newbury; couple of stout young collegians,
ready to vary the monotony of long jour
ney by any sort of lark; and last, but not
least, Trix's tall friend, who seemed by gem
raj consent to step at once into command.
ut be a long seven mile," said the old
countryman, with discouraging shake Of his
head. Railroads have their own measures.
By my count-and I've lived here, man and
boy, these sixty years--it's. a good ten mile
between here and Newbury.
"And pretty wild road, l judge" said
his companion.
mo road at all on a night like this. It's
Just scramble along as you can."
=, 1t was scramble along as you can," as
the party soon found out.
There might have been road once, but it
was totally obliterated by the snow. The
party struggled on up the mountain side, over
rocks through pine thckets bristling with
icloes, then down again into deep gorge,
where the great, white capped peaks seemed
almost to meet overhead, and the waterfall
that had made music all the bright summer
time hung frozen and dumb.
Pretty, good hunting round here, haven't
you?" asked TIix's friend, who cleared the
ground with long, steady stride like that of
well trained horse.
More than we want sometimes" assured
the old countryman. "The railroad scares the
wild animals away in fair weather; but in
hard frosts like this they get hungry, and come
down from the mountains to look for food
We killed black bear down in this very ho-
low last Christmas"
Then maybe it isn't my fancy" said the
gentleman. I've grown so used to listen
ing for enemies on my marches that / am
suspicious OF every sound. For the last tea
minutes I've thought something was follow
ing us close and fast"
81 believe there is, said the countryman,
in alarm, after a moments pause "an9
there isn't a firearm in the crowd"
HIS companion flung open his overcoat,
and showed the undress uniform Of United
States officer beneath. He slipped two re-
volyers from his belt
Don't alarm the Others" he said. in n
low voice. "You take one of the weapons,
and the other. Let us stand back and see
word"
They stood back in the shadow of an over
hanging rock, and waited.
The sound came nearer 1t was a foot
fall, so light and swift that it scarcely sound
ed on the snow.
"Blaze away!" said the old farmer, ex-
citedly. ITS catamount:"
"Dont!" said the soldier, knocking the
revolver out of his companions hand '1t's
grill"
And he strobe forward and confronted
Irix., She had crept out of the car and fol-
lowed them over all these miles of ice and
snow, unseen and alone
ooh, don't stop me, please!" she faItered
looking up, with pleading eyes. "You can't
stop me now: must go onl''
Child, child, are you mad?" said the sol
dier sternly;.
"NO, mol" she replied, TREMENDOUSLY, for
much, even for sturdy Trix. "But / have
been sent for. Tessie, my little sister. is i'll
perhaps dyiing-and."
''Tessie?' interrupted her companion. in
a quick, amazed Voice "Tessie, your sister90
and he put his hand suddenly on Trix's should
ers; And YOU, child, who-who are You?
Not Beatrix Talbot--my little Trix?"
Yes, / am Trix," she answered, in half
frightened manner. for the strangers voice
and words woke a hundred vague, bewildering
memories.
when she was casped in the soldiers strong
arms, held fast to his broad breast, while
warm kisses fell upon her lips and brow and
the deep voice murmured:
"My child, my child-my own little Tr;x
Nv brave, noble, fearless grill"
"Papa!" exclaimed Trix, in sharp, strained
tone. "0h, is it-are you papa"
eyes / am papa /, too, have been caIIaJ
home by letter from the kind wise doctor
that told me my children stood in need of
my care. To think we should meet like this.
And the husky tremor of the clear desn
voice went straight to Trix's heart-nSserSos;.n,p
every shadow of doubt or distrust Of th;ss
stranger father that might have lineeredI
there.
arms about his neck, while all the desna;r-
! ing strength that had upheld her tbrpnaI
this terrible night seemed to give way. ana
she burst into blessed tears. ut is Won. in
deed Take me home to Tessie before she
dies. Oh, my own papa, take me homeI"
hQAn n in