The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-05-22

SnaASo. A 6lOuP VI "Su 6tOOu III lAe
roadway. He say them and tried Ia
avoid them, but one Of them called
him. They ordered him back whence
he had come. When he left their
sight hs abandoned the trail and
skunk along the hillside like q 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 vas %ravenous
with hunger. He planned as he
walked. He was an animal, . beast
OF prey. He knew 10 higher voice
than, his instincts. These urged him
Onto ind some weaker being whom
he might o~verpowsr or destroy. He
had thrown away the board placards.
II he we're see he knew he would
be shot. He in turn 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
a little canvas tent. 1t stood by it.
self. we'll 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 q WON.
an. No one was with her.
He had meant to wait until she
was asleep, but the cold was stiffen.
ins 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 M
Clearly there was no n with her.
What do you want" She asked
the question without fear and calmly.
Food" he answered, hoarsely; I'm
starving"
Come in" she babe him. III let
no man pass here hungry"
Hs entered. He could have struck
her down as he did. but she might
have made outcry. He sested 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
a a minute. I'll have some coffee
heated. It's dreadful hard for" s~1rra
here On the trail. Poo fellow"
She left the tent a moment after
wood. lie looked about him, swiftly
and saw a bit OF flashing rope. he
picked it up, and in an instant Topped
a moose. AS she came back he
slipped 1t into his pocket. and watched
her crafty.
Its hard for us ALL" she went ON.
half to herself. My son IL over the
SUNNI getting ready to move camp
Tomorrow. l 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 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 vas
moaning with the ache in his back.
Take of 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 def fingers.
Poor fellow" h 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 al 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 q table, and he ate ravenously,
like q starved dog. 1t put new life
into him.
He tried to avoid her eyes as she
gazod into his face, and shifting his
own saw on q roll of blankets . long
l IAlA SACA. ~ W&0 O0O "a LA0 pOhS0
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
whore he had placed the moose. His
face va alive aow-hke the face OF
a tiger ready to spring. Why did she
not TURF her back?
She was talking to him. He hardly
heard her words. He was afre 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 tho 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. 1t held him