The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-05-15

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roadway. He saw them and tried To
avoid them, but one Of them called
him. They ordered him back whence
he had come. When he left their
sight he abandoned the trail and
skunk along the hillside like wolf.
Long after dark he found his way
back to the trail. It 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 board placards.
If he were seen he knew he would
be shot. He in turn was willing to
ktll-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. It 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 it's walls the figure OF 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, hoarsely; I'm
starving"
Come ill.," she babe him. "1ll 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 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 minute, I'll have some coffee
heated. It's dreadful hard for some
here on the trail. Poor fellow!"
She left the tent moment after
wood. He looked about him swiftly
and saw a bit of lashing rope. He
picked 1t up, and in an instant looped
a 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 of your coat" she command
ed. and sprang forward to help him.
In 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 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 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
gazed into his face, and shifting his
own saw on roll of blankets 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 never turn? He began to
hate her for her slowness.
She came toward him, and laid her
bandits 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. It held him
strangely helpless. His fingers slipped
from tho cOrd