The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-05-21

roadway. He saw them and tried Il
avoid them, but one Of them called
him. They ordered him back whence
he had come. When he left theil
sight he abandoned the trail ano
skunk along the hillside like a vol.
Long after dark he found his way
back to the trail. 1t was deserted now
he dared take it. He drank from one
of the water holes. He was ravenous
with hunger. He planned as he
walked. He vas an animal, a beast
of prey. He knew no higher voice
thar his instincts. These urged him
onto find some weaker being whom
he might overpower OF destroy. He
had thrown away the board placards.
II he were seen he knew he would
be shot. He In turn was willing to
kill-if be could in safety.
1t was near midnight when ne
found his victim. The was shin
ing dimly through the hemlocks on
a little canvas tent. 1t stood by 1t.
self, well up the hillside. He watched
it from a thicket. A light burned with
in, and showed in sharp silhouette
against its walls the figure Of a WON.
an. No one was with her.
He had meant to wait until she
was asleep, but the cold was stiffen-
ing his limbs and his back ached hor-
ribly. He would go boldly TO the
door and ask for food. Once inside he
could manage her.
She heard his approaching footstep
and came TO the entrance. In the
parted door she stood with the light
behind her-a ~gray-haired woman,
Clearly there was no one with her.
What do you want" She asked
the question without fear and calmly.
Food" he answered, h%oarsely; I'm
starving"
Come in" she bade him. ri let
no man pass here hungry"
He entered. He could have struck
her down as he did. but she might
have made outcry. He seated himself
on a box, planning some more silent
method. He could wait. She was in
his hands now.
Where have you been?" she asked,
simply
"Dyea." he answered. shortly; and
then, I'm tired and hungry"
Poor fellow" she stood regarding
him with pity in her eyes. Just
wait a minute, I'll have some coffee
heated. It's dreadful hard for some
here on the trail. Poor fellow"
She left the tent a moment after
wood. lie looked about him swiftly
and saw a bit of flashing, rope. He
picked il up. and in an instant looped
a moose. AS she came back he
| slipped it into his pocket, and watched
her craftily.
It's hard for us ALL she went on,
half TO herself. My son is W. the
| summit getting ready to nov camp
tomorrow. don't see how the men
! stand IT,"
She had turned her back and ne
started TO rise quickly, the moose in
bis hand. A sharp throb of pain
made him groana aloud: He sank back
into his seat.
You're hurt" she cried; and then
as she looked into his evil face some
thing of the truth came to her. She
regarded him ~intentIy. why, you're
the man they whipped at Sheep
Camp" she murmured.
He was too weak to move He was
moaning with the ache In his back.
Take off your coat" she command
ed. and sprang forward to help him.
In a dull way he fumbled at the but
tons. She stripped his upper garments
from him. tenderly, with deft fingers.
Poor fellow" she said, and her old
face was alight with pity.
She found a box of salve and anoint-
ed the ~quiyering flesh. She tore strips
of linen and bound them about him.
All the time she spoke as kindly as
though he were a hurt child. When
she had dressed him again, he felt
his strength returning. The food
was on the heap of sacks which served
for a table, and he ate ~ravenously,
like a starved dog. 1t put new life
into him.
He tried to avoid her yes as she
| sdL0u lnto hlS law, ohu ohAitihS h%S
own raw on a roll of blankets a long
thin sack. It was one of the 'pokes''
in which the travellers on the trail
carried their money. His mouth
stiffened and his jaw settled squarely
He slipped his hand into his pocket
where he had placed the moose. His
face was alive now-like the face OF
a tiger ready to spring. Why did she
not turn her back?
She was talking to him. He hardly
heard her words. He was afire with
the lust Of plumber. His cruel lips
drew back showing his yellow teeth
Would she turn? He began te
hate her for her slowness.
She came toward him, and laid heI
hand-its back was hard and brown
on his shoulder. Something in the feel
ing Of it compelled him to look up
His own pale. gray eyes were drawn
to hers. and he saw the light of kind
ness in their depths. II held hin
strangely helpless. His fingers slippeC
from the cord.
You're clear beat out" she said
eTn fix We a bed In the corner"
He felt himself trembling. Hi
could not look away from her clea'
eyes. Into his OWN a strange moisture
stole.
Poor fellow"
,cba bod TUNED her hack AT last