Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-14

=S CT delighted at being reused
 (Asa3 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 mufied
 growl. She did not hear it, yet she
 knew how he felt The previous day,
 though a casual observer might have
 been misled by his garrulous fretting
 over Ben's lameness, she was quick to
 note and with a pang that secretly he
 was relieved. But her pain at his laxi-
 ty and indifference was not unmlXed
 with pity, for to her crippled father,
 whose crutches in the snow hindered
 rather than helped him, she guessed
 how 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 1t 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 the 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 quite as we'll 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 abhorrence for rush and discomfort he rejoiced at 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 fa- tigue or freezing as an excuse for pro- He passed over these rather too briefly and enlarged upon his safe status as settler.
 "All bosh," he asserted as he watch ed Dallas and Marylyn busy with for breakfast. "A hull regiment of soldiers couldn' put us offen this Ian, t say nothin' of q man thet ain't done a thing on it sence he took 1t up. An might jes' as we'll 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 ,isen early to feed the occupants of the
 ean-to, Shadrach in particular. Next,
 with a promise of rest later on, she had awaked Marylyn. Formerly the younger girl would have persisted in 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 in spirit. Tn 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. joined the family at table Lancaster pined to ask him what he thought of their braving the clements foolishly. Not that the section boss esteemed his aged guest. On the contrary. Dallas evident interest in the stranger had stirred the unnatural jealousy in her wiZen brain Already he hated David Bond and had him set down for a crank. But Dallas needed a lesson. It was all very well for her to do the outside duties as if she were l man. That did not privilege her to ride rOughshOd over his opinions or tO rule affairs in general with a heavy land- However. he found no opportu- lity for questions. She. reading impa- fence and mutiny in her fathers every glance. kept up throughout the meal m unwonted flow of talk.
 Dad" she said. covering his plate Eith a crisp. hot cake for the dozenth inc. T haven't told Mir Bond all bout the claim-aIl the reasons why re want him to take you to Bis narck the section boss gTunted at he ~ve-"so you please tell him as cure going along And don't let your cat get unbutto1ed or your ears frOze
 heated some big rocks for the bottom f the sleigh and some little ones for our pockets. TO1n both weigh So luch that Shsdrzch can't run away if e wants to. and yoa can't fan out 1to a drift
 Not a word from the others checked ! CT cheeTT stream of comment How l yer, breakfast past and Dallas tn the l