The Red Cloud chief., 1908-01-24

mCring sen th1t glr loved so Wen or
up the winding valleys Into the foot
hills where echoed the roar of swift
waters or glinted the flash of shovel
blades. This morning her horse was
lame, so she determined to walk. In
her carly rainblcs she had looked tim
idly askancc mt the rough men she met
til she discovered their genuine re-
spcct and courtesy. The most I'M
kempt. among them were often college
bred, although for that matter the
toughest Of the miners showed alum
dant consideration for n woman So
she was glad TO allow the men To talk
TO her with the fine freedom inspired
by the new country and Its wide
spaces. The wilderness breeds Il chiv-
airy all its own.
Thus there seemed to he no danger
abroad. though they had told the girl
Of mad dogs which roamed the city,
explaining that the hot weather affects
powerfully the thick coated. shaggy
"malamoots." This is the land of the
dog. and, whereas in winter his lot is
TO labor and shiver and ~starvc, in sum
mcr he loafs, fights, grows fat and
runs mad with the heat.
Helen walked far and, returning.
chose an unfamiliar course through
the outskirts Of the town To avoid
meeting any of the women she knew
because of that vivid memory of The
night before. As she walked swiftly
along she thought that she heard faint
cries fur behind her. Looking up. she
noted that 1t was Il lonely, barren
quarter and that the only figure In
sight was IA woman some distance
away. \ few PAGES farther on the
shouts REQUIRED. more plainly lhi.
time, and Il gun shot sounded. G'orc
Ing back, she saw several mon ran
ming, Ii bearing smoking revolver.
and heard nearer still the soaring
hubbub of fghtNrg dogs. In a flash
the girls curiosity bccalnc horror. Tor
as she watched ono OF the dogs made
n sudden dash through the now sub
dued group of animals and ran swiftly
along the ~planking on which she stood
II WAS a handsome specimen If the
Eskimo malamoot tail. gray and coat
cd like Il wolf. with the speed. strength
md cunning of It's cousin. It's head
hung low and swung from side 90 side
rs H. trottGd. the motion decking foam
and SLAYER. The creature bad scattered
the pack and now, swift, mcnaCinC,
relentless, was coming toward Helen.
There vas no shelter near. no fence.
10 house, save The distant one toward
which the other woman waS making
her way. The men. too far away to
protect her. shouted hoagsc warnings.
Helen did not scream or hesitate
she turned and ran. terror stricken. to-
ward The distant cottage. She was
blind with fright and felt an utter Ger.
tainty that The dog would attack her
before she could reach safety, Yes:
there WAS the quick patte" Ot his pads
close mp behind her. Her knees weak
Cnp,l. The ShcltCriug door was yet
some yards away. Bul Il horse tetllcr'
cd near thc walk reared and snortcd rs
The dying pair drew near. The mad
creature Swcrvcd. lcapcd M the horses
legs and snapped in fury. Badly fright
ruc,l nj this attack. the horse hinged AT
his halter, broke il and Gallopcd away.
huI the delay had served for Helen,
weak aud faint. 10 reach the door. She
Wrcnchcd ut the knob. II was locked.
A. she turned i~IopclcsSly away she
saw that the other wOman was direct.
ly behind her and was. in her turn,
awaiting the mad animals onslaught,
hut caimly. II tiny revolver in her
hand.
shoot" screamed Helen. why
don't You shoot" The little gun
spoke, the dog spun around. snarl;ng
and yelping. The woman fired several
times more before IL lay still and then
remarked calmly as she broke" the
weapon and elected the shells:
The caliher is too small Ia he good
Tor much.''
Helen "A down upon the steps.
How wen You shoot she gasped
Her eyes Were on the gray bundle
whose death agonics had thrust it al
: most Ia her feet. The men had ruI
up and were talking excitedly, but aft
er Il word with them the woman turned
To Helen.
You must comc in for Il moment
I and recover Yourself" she said and le,
q rher inside.
: 1t was "A coy Dom in which The cir
t found herself more than that, luxuri
Gus. There was u piano with scattere,
: music ANA many Of the pretty. fcmi
e nine things thai Helen had not seel
since leaving home. The hostess la,
! stepped behind some curtains for ~
y instant aud WAS talking 10 her from
d the next room.