The Washington herald., 1907-02-10

and staggered blindly forward. His knee
struck against something hard, and. put
ting out his hand he touched stone and
earth
Here is d HILL he said, without joy.
and he uncovered his eyes again 10 seek
shelter. He did not md II there, but
farther on, in another hill, was n rocky
alcove that in earlier days had been the
den of some wild animal. It was carpeted
with Old dead leaves and It faced the
east. while the wind and the snow came
from the southwest 1t was only a h0l
low, running back three or four feet. and
one must crouch 10 enter; but except
near the door there was no snow IN It,
and the storm drove by IN vain.
Here is our house. Sylvia" exclaimed
Harley. with "A strong ring in his voice,
and he drew her in. lie Taked up the old,
musty. dead leaves in "A heap. and made
her sit upon them. lie was the man now.
the masculine animal who ruled, and she
obeyed without protest.
"Hark to the storm. How the wind
whistles" he said.
Pyramids and columns Of snow whirled
by the mouth of their little hollow, and
they crOuchcd close together out upon
the plain the Shrek OF the wind was weird
and unearthly. Now and then some blast.
drove "A fringe of snow so far into the hOi-
low that it fell a wet skim across their
faces.
Sylvia did not move or speak for q long
time, and when Harley looked out again
the snow was thinner but the WIND was
Istill high. and it was growing much cOIIer.
The blast dashed his face with a whip of
ice
He turned back IN alarm. and took SyI-
Was hand in his II was cold and il
seemed 10 him that the blood in il had
ceased to run.
Sylvia SYLVIA he cried in fear, and
not knowing what else To say What is
the natter"
This. / think. is DEATH" she replied.
in sleepy content.
1t was dark in the hollow, whether the
darkness of coming night or the darkness
Of the storm Harley did not know nor
care. He could not see her face, but he
touched IL; It, too, was cold.
He felt a pang Of agony When both
expected 20 die be had neither fear nor
sorrow. now she was about 10 die alone
and leave him,
Sylvia. Sylvia" inc cried 1T is not
death, You cannot 60"
lie rubbed her hands violently. and even
her checks He called 10 her over and
over again. and she awOlze from her
numbing torpor.
1t was beginning 10 be like an easy
sleep" she said.
THAT is what we must fight" said
Harley
He brushed up all the leaves at the
mouth OF the hollow as a sort Of barrier,
and he believed that il gave help Then
he sat down on q small ledge of stone and
I lcau0d against the wall
sylvia" he said II want you % live.
and you cannot live if this cold creeps
/ into your body again. Sit here"
She hesitated and IN the darkness he
/ did not see her blush
why should you not? Il may be our
I last day"
+ He drew her down upon his knees. then
closer 70 him. put his arms around her.
/ Presently he could feel her face against
/ his and il was cold no longer. Neither
spoke nor moved. but Harley could feel
/ that she was warm. and he could hear
/ her soft regular breathing After "a while
/ DE stirred a little. and he found that she
was asleep. Her hands and face were
stiH warm. Tie did not move again She
spoke once in her sleep, and all that she
/ said was his name.
/ Outside the plain was "a vast sheet of
/ snow, over which the cold wind m0aued.
and out 81 the east tho night was coming.
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY