Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-11-01

knows how. had got timber enough
together for that same purpose. was
the point Of our first food cache We
had now eaten down to almost the
last Of our pemmlcan. Tomorrow we
would dig up our treasure. enough to
last us until we reached not too dis
tant civilization
Arters suddenly ceased his mad jum-
BILE Of words. He pillowed his head on
his arms and slept yawned. and.
despite my resolve TO stay awake and
guard my mad comrade, the rhythmic
breathing Of the two sleepers lulled
me to an unconscious condition.
was awakened by n gentle shake
Of the arm The frightened eyes Of
Ruth Proctor stared into mine. All Ill
ness seemed to have vanished from her.
HE is dead" she gasped and point
I'd an eloquent finger at the still form
opposite me.
An investigative hand touching the
iced flesh Of him testified to the truth
of this.
With infinite tact Miss Proctor came
forward and placed soft little hand
in my own. II will be little bother to
yOu." she said simply. THE snow
sickness has left me. What-what
shall we do with The tears sprang
from the black depths of her eyes. and
she turned her head away. unable to
complete the sentence.
I'VE must leave him here" | an
swered. I'VE have only one sled, you
know. Later will return for him."
ITO think" came brokenly from the
lips of the maid explorer, that he gave
up his life in his effort to save mine"
Woman-like. she Graded her pretty
face in her arms and abandoned her
self to her grief.
1t devolved upon me to still the wall
in my own heart and be practical.
Don't" l whispered. so close to her
that felt her fragrant breath brush
my cheek as she raised pathetic eyes
to me. What Is done cannot be un-
done"
In what would be the morning in
the United States l went forth and
dug for our reserve food supply and
dug In vain. Some vandal had pirated
1t during our absence.
With heavy heart l returned to the
shack. The girl stared interrogatively
at my empty hands.
Looted" vcntured briefly. What
good for NE To put of the truth!
Eventually she would have to know.
81 am sorry for your sake" she an
swered. and again an inexplicable look
came into her eyes.
I'VE must go nj once" | warned.
We have only enough provisions for
about two days"
After neager meal hitched the
dogs (Arters had long since been laid
NJ restl and went back for tie girl.
who was donning her heavy arctic
coat and mittens. noise caused me
to leap TO the door of the hut just In
time to see my huskies. mad. 1.-the
streaks Of gray. speeding across the
snow in pursuit OF that rara avis. an
arctic hare.
Yelping excitedly. they refused to re-
spond to my cries in fact, it is doubt
full if they heard n.e With heavy
heart | remembered that everything
was packed in the sledge.
turned despairingly. The dogs were
gone. They might return; more likely
they would not The arctic husky
more wolf than dog-is an unknown
quantity.
In the open door, as raised my
eyes, saw the girl. knew from the
pallor of her face that she had seen
all but | attempted brave smile.
'They will return" spoke reassur-
.ngly.
Perhaps" she said softly. 81 know
them and their ways. you must re-
member" She smiled at me bravely.
Suddenly my arms were about her.
| know not how 1t happened.
my love-" said passionately, must
we die here just when we have
found each other" At last had
fathomed the secret in the eyes Of her.
Dearest" she said. looking up at
last from my shoulder. "you will never
know the snow as do. Search again
for your supplies. l have belief-I
can't tell why-that you will find
them
looed Sure enough. they were not
two feet from where | had hunted.
Luck now cloyed us with her favors.
That night the dogs came whining to
the door. and-oh. marvel!-the sledge.
though overturned, was with them.
Ruth" philosophical, some good
vame out of it. for | am sure had the
logs not run away would not have
had the courage to speak"
And the lips Of her came close
loser
The trip was done in safety. The
maid explorer was given over to my
ship-a maid no longer. however. but
thanks to a venturing. gold hunting