The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-06-18


him. They ordered him back whence
he had come. When he left their
sight he abandoned the trail and
skunk along the hillside like a wolf.
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 was an animal, beast
OF prey. He knew no higher voice
than his instincts. These urged him
Onto find some weaker being whom
he might overpower or destroy. He
had thrown away the beard placards.
II he were seen he knew he would
be shot. He in tlr1 was willing to
kill-if he could in safety.
1t was near midnight when he
found his victim. The moon was shin
ing dimly through the hemlocks on
little canvas tent. 1t stood by it,
self, we'll up the hillside. He watched
it from thicket. A light burned with
in, and showed in sharp silhouette
against its walls the figure OF wom-
an. No one was with her.
He had meant to wait until she
was asleep, but the cold was stitfen-
ing his limbs and his back ached hor-
ribly. He would 60 boldly to the
door and ask for food. Once inside he
could manage her.
She heard his approaching footstep
fN hn In thA
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, hoarsely; I'm
starving"
Come in," she bade him. I'll 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 q box. planning some more silent
methed. 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 q moment after
oh u,
and saw a bit of lashing rope. He
picked 1t up, and in an instant looped
q moose. As she came back he
slipped it into his pocket, and watched
her craftily.
Its hard for us all" she went on,
half to herself MY son is over the
summit getting ready to move camp
tomorrow. l don't see how the men
stand it."
She had turned her back and he
started to rise quickly. the moose in
bis hand. A sharp throb of pain
made him groan 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 intently. 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 quivering 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 eyes as she
6dLCu lAtO AlS ldSC, duu SuillluS lis
own saw on a roll of blankets a long
thin sack 1t 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 plunder. His cruel lips
drew back showing his yellow teeth
Would she never turn? He began to
hate her for her slowness.
She came toward him, and laid her
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 ii their depths. 1t held him
strangely helpless. His fingers slipped
from the cord.
You're clear beat out" she said.
'I'll fix We bed in the corner"
He felt himself trembling He
could net look away from her clear
eyes Into his own a strange moisture
stole
Poor fellow!"