Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1908-08-04

snow from-his feet
Thought I'd come back and have an
| other talk with Lorena,' he began
'.Oh. Floyd, she's gone after your
cried the distracted woman. wringing
her hands Il saw her footprints point
ing toward the blutf she got sorry
| right after you Left
FIJI find her" said Floyd quickly
Don't worry" And he dashed back
into the storm.
When Lorena softly closed the kitch.
en- door she could just see Floyd round,
ing the bluff.
Floyd. oh, Floyd, come backr' she
called. all her reserve gone. her fierce
pride thrown to the stormy winds that
blew the fringe Of her shawl into her
eyes.
Realizing that he could not hear her,
she started after him, but by the time
she had covered half the distance sea
of white swept in between and bl6tted
him from view.
She hurried on, calling his name re-
peatedly, but the furious wind tore at
her breath and walled her about with
feecy clouds. She never even made the
bluff.
And when she found that she had
missed 1t and tried to retrace her steps
the drift had filed her tracks. If she
could only strike the trail! In despera-
ton she turned to the right and turned
to the left, but one turn offset the
other.
Thus she struggled on and ON and
still on until In spite of the biting cold
the persplration burst from every pore.
This was well enough as long as she
kept moving, but when the time came
that she must stop she would freeze
all the quicker for her present warmth.
This. being born and bred of the
northland, Lorena knew, and the
knowledge kept her toiling, toiling on
until her tired limbs compelled a
pause in the shelter of a blum. She
leaned painting against rock, all I'M
conscious of pair Of eyes which
glared from willow thicket near bv.
While she rested the green lights in
the eyes fared brighter, long red
tongue licked the grinning jaws hun
grily, and forth from his covert stole
lank, gray wolf.
Lorena uttered frightened cry.
This was no coyote, to be chased with
a stick, but wolf of timber stock, q
great beast, strong as a mastiff. Hell
emitted low snarls as he skunk In half
circles across her front He was I'M
decided.
So while he circled preparing for
spring, drawing a little nearer at every
turn, Lorena fell Blackjack toward
the bluff, keeping her white face al |
ways to the creeping beast.
With sudden inspiration she took off |
her heavy shawl and threw IT. blanket |
wise, over the VOLTS head and then
fed desperately. Once clear of the |
shrub she ran on, plunging through |
drifts, stumbling. falling, to rise again
and push her fight.
OF direction she took no heed. Her
only thought was to place distance be-
tween herself and the furnished brute.
But when. weary and breathIess, she
paused to rest. out OF the drab drift
stole the lank, gray shadow.
With terrified Shrek Lorena ran
and ran and ran as the tired doe runs
from the hounds. At last she stopped, |
spent unable to take another step. |
Looking around, she saw the wolf, lick
ing his hungry jaws, crouching for the
final spring With bitter cry she fell
upon her knees and closed her eyes.
Just then two shots rang out In
quick succession. Looking up, she saw
Floyd Jordan, with his smoking re.
yolyer In his hand, standing over the
PROSTATE beast.
Floyd, oh, Floydr' she sobbed as
be came to her with eyes tender and
anxious. He picked her up from the
snow, wrapped her in his coat and
held her against his breast.
The storm was lifting. Farrelrs |
cabin could be plainly discerned not
4 quarter Of mile distant.
"Tm dead sure now I'll build that
cabin on my claim" Floyd said as they
started homeward