Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-12-18
By ELEANOR GATES,
CHAPTER VIII.

~ surprised and not altogetn-
- er delighted at being reused
A4kSgI early the following morning
with the news that he could start at
once for Bismarck. AS Dallas voice
penetrated the partition he returned
the only reply his icebound mustache
and goatee would permit-a muthed
Growl. She did not hear 1t, yet she
knew how he felt. The previous day,
though a casual observer might have
been misled by his garrulous fretting
over Bep's lamsness, she vas quick to
note and with q pang that secretly he
was relieved. But her pain at his laxi-
ty and Indifference was not unmixed
with pity, for to her crippled father,
whose clutches in the snow hindered
rather than helped him, she guessed
now long and lonely and bitter cold
seemed the way to the land Office.
Yet 1t was something more than
these aspects of the journey that caus-
ed Lancaster to view it unfavorably.
He knew that in another thirty-six
hours, when the original applicants
half year was up, he and not the other
would have the clearer right to the
quarter section. Therefore he regard
ed tho proposed declaration of aban-
donment, the canceling Of the old en-
try and the filing of new as forms
which need not be gone through with
hurriedly, since the first claimant had
undoubtedly disappeared for good and
all, but which might be attended to
Gnlte as well the coming spring. when
the roads would be open and the days
warm. Confident Of his perfect securi-
ty on the peninsula and possessed by
a sneaking but denied adherence for
rush and discomfort, he rejoiced ut de-
lay. So having left his snug bed to
tumble about In the dark for his
clothes and, these donned, having loos-
ed his speech before the grateful blaze
in the fireplace, he did not argue ia
figue or freezing as an excuse for pro-
crastination He passed over these
rather too briefly and enlarged upon
his safe status as a settler
"All bosh," he asserted as he watch
ed Dallas and Marylyn busy with
preparations for breakfast. "A hull
regiment of soldiers couldn' put US
offen this lam, t. say nothin' of a man
4het amt done thing on 1t sence he
took it up. All might jes' as well stay
home"
But he found that Dallas was firm
on the question of his going-"haid-
strong" he termed it-and would not
even pause for a discussion. She had
risen early to feed the occupants Of the
lean-to, Shadrach in particular. Next
with a promise of rest later on, she
had awaked Marylyn. Formerly the
younger girl would have persisted In
questioning her about the proposed
Journey and in knowing its purpose
Now, however, her interest in 1t, like
that in most things, was so small that
she appeared totally Indifferent and
went about her work silently. Despite
the fact that this somewhat revived
Dallas anxiety over her sister. the
elder girl felt freshly strengthened II
spirit. In all her twenty years of life
no other morning had like this one
promised her so much happiness.
When the evangelist emerged and
after a sojourn in front of the hearth
1oined the family at table LancasteI
pinned to ask him what he thought o.
their Drawing the elements foolishly
Not that the section boss esteemed hi
aged guest On the contrary, Dallas
evident interest in the stranger hat
stirred the unnatural jealousy In he
fathers wien brain. Already b.
hated David Bond and had him Sc
down for a crank. But Dallas needet
q lesson. 1t was all very well for he
TO do the outside duties as If she wer
O man. That did not privilege her t
ride roughshod over his opinions or t
rule affairs in general with a heav.
hand. However, he found no opportu
nifty for questions. She, reading impa
tience and mutiny in her fathers ever
glance, kept up throughout the mes
an unwonted flow of talk.
dad" she said, covering his plat
with crisp, hot cake for the dozent
time, 81 haven't told Mr.. Bond a
about the claim-all the reasons VIII
we want him to take you to BIZ
marck"-the section boss grunted q
the "we"-"so you please tell him a
you're going along. And don't let you
coat get unbuttoned or your ears froz'
] heated some big rocks for the bottor
OF the sleigh and some little ones fo
your pockets. You'll both weigh S
much that Shadrach can't run away
he wants to, and you can't fall oil
into drift"
Not word from the others checke
her CHEEKY stream of comment. How
aver, breakfast past and Dallas in th
lean-to, David Bond managed to max
Q declaration. 1t was when he sa'
Lancaster take down the Sharps frol
its pegs by the mantel. That shoul
stay behind" be said, touching the T
De. I'VE are leaving your helpleE
girls alone. At least they should hay
something for defense"