The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-01-28
HoNoRs EASY.

HONORS EASY.
They went on roped, Reeston still first.
1t seemed to Oakley at one time that
his companion was seized by sort OF
mild convulsion. 1t was as If he wished
to sneeze, yet could not. He had sew
eral such attacks.
Anything the matter, Sam Z, oaKey
asked.
The other checked himself and looked
round with smile.
'sNothing, old man-simply nothing,
To tell you the truth, l was laughing
''What about?"
,"Ah. that's where you're driving at a
dead WALL I can't tell you, Dick. It's
impossible. The air in these high zones,
you know, does strange things with
fellow. 1t makes some men sick. You're
not feeling anything of it, [ hope? 2"
Oakey's face showed surprise, Hinged
with Just little skepticism. As boy,
Reeston had had mysterious sides. AS
man, Oakley had long learnt that there
were certain barriers about his charac-
ter which he could never get beyond.
They were picturesque barriers. Oakley
had often wished he could hedge him
self in with walls of like quality. They
themselves alone commanded respect.
There was no defining them, yet there
they were.
But this familiar use of his name also
warmed Oakley like the sudden breath
of fire.
''Were you laughing, Sam?" he asked
0C,artainlv WHY not ?''
"Oh nothingl Only l could envy you.
| haven't had good honest laugh since
-since-well, you can guess, can't your"
All the smile left Reeston's lips and
ewes as he gazed at his friend.
"Poor chap!" he murmured. "But
never mind. One can't properly do two
things at the same time. Pm not going
to guess. Let's make another mile, then
we'll refresh. l wish your father was
with u.s."
"Wish the bishop was here, Sam!
Why?"
"To give us his blessing, old man
absolution first and blessing to crown
the feast like chartreuse. Come along!"
Much agitated, Oakley followed again.
OF course, Reeston was only sarcastic;
but what weird coincidence that he
should thus, even at hazard, seem to
divine what was in his mind! How en-
yiably strong and self restrained he was!
In this moment of almost chivalrous
admiration of the man he had wronged
so brutally, he could even find some
fault with Ruby herself. What was she
made of that with such comparative
ease she could be persuaded to resign
Reeston for man like him? just one
week of moderate anguish, and then she
was ripe for his wooing. Though they
had been brought up together from
childhood, Oakley was not prepared to
be welcomed with such ease as a substl-
tute for lover like Reeston.
He shivered little as deadly
thought obtruded itself.
If Ruby was of nature to absorb
calumny so readily, might not another
calumny wreck the married happiness
which he dared to hope for? ;.
Was this the Nemesis that lay in wait
for him, one year, two, three, or ten
years hence?
What an awful thought!
His feet were fast in this dreadful
vision when suddenly Reeston shouted
and sank foot or so.
Quick! After mel" he cried, and the
rope drew out as he leaped.
He landed on firmer snow even as that
from which he sprunk slid under Oakey's
boots. His nerves shattered IN a mo-
ment, Oakley made wild attempt to fol-
low, jumped short, and slipped with the
snow itself into black abyss. And
there he hung
He fell little lower, then little
lower still. "Im going!" he groaned.
1t seemed long time ere Reeston
gave him a word of encouragement, and
then it came but family.
Don't wriggle, old chap Reeston
whispered 'The grips none too good
up here. Pm right on the edge myself.
Can you get any support for your feet =
In silence, with the very blood trem-
bling in his veins, Oakley put forth his
feet and touched polished ice.
keep calm, Dick" Reeston said ON.
"Hang as light as you can. -. On,
dear!"
Oakley saw the ice before him rise
about another foot. This was the meas
ure of his drop by the latest jerk.
'Whack out niche for your fingers |!
Be sharp!" Reeston commanded.
II can't" said Oakley. 1--we dropped
it. And-the ropes strangling me! Oh,
Sam, do you think this is the end OF
both of us?"
He could see his companions boots
above him. Staring at them, ne saw
more of Reeston every moment.
| And then flood of remorse swept
over him, as he seemed to see more still
that this was heavens chastisement
for his dastardly treatment of his friend.
He had lied to Ruby about Reeston,
and
"Sam," he cried, sssave yourself! Cut
the rope and save yourself"
"Save your grandmother" replied
Reeston hoarsely. SAnd keep still!''
But the desperate nature OF the sltua-
tion was now palmer than ever to
Oakley. The more Reeston tried to work
the lever of his planted axe, the more
certainly could he see the approach of
the doom for both of them.
He felt for his knife, found it, and
opened blade.
"Sam,' he cried, II told Ruby you
loved another woman! / deserve it all"
"Shut up" Kissed Reeston.
ssPI1t must foil ,1o,, I oan,t die with