Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-10-09

came across q deserted shanty that
had been vantage point ON our pole
ward trip and prepared to stay there
until she was some recovered. We
knew nothing OF her struggle nor why
we had fennd Der alone. Her mind
was gone temporarily. efir
I was worried, and had been for
come time abont Arters. His gaunt
face had metamorphosed into a
p:nched. weird caricature OF its for.
mer leanness. and, II spoke TO him
suddenly be started curiously nor
deigned an answer. Occasionally he
broke out into a babbie Of meaning
less sounds apropos of nothing what.
ever in our arctic world He would
sometimes catch himself at this and
flush shamefacedly.
Arters was now again back in the
rickety chair across the table from me,
mumbling incoherently and with his
great knotted hands clinching and I'M
clinchipg restlessly.
This deserted shack. erected by some
forgotten voyager who. Providence
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 pemmican. 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-
bic Of words. He pillowed his head on
his arms and slept. I yawned. and.
despite my resolve to stay awake and
guard my mad comrade, the rhythmic
breathing Of the two sleepers luiled
me to an unconscious condition
was awakened by gentle shake
of the arm. The frightened eyes Of
Ruth Proctor stared into mine. All H.
ness seemed to have vanished from her.
HE Is dead" she gasped and point.
ed an eloquent finger ct 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 a soft little hand
in my own. II win be little bother to
you." she said simply. 1.-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
"We must leave him here" I an
swered. I'VE have only one sled. you
know. Later I will return for him."
ITO think" came brokenly from the
lips Of the maid explorer. that be 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" 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 I'M
done"
In what would be the morning in
the United States ! went forth and
dug for our reserve food supply and
dug in vain: Some vandal had piratec
IL during our absence.
With heavy heart returned to the
shack. The girl stared interrogatively
at my empty hands.
Looted" / veutured briefly. What
good for me 60 put of the TRUTH
Eventually she would have TO know.
~ am sorry for your sake" she an
swered, and again an inexplicable LOOK
came into her eyes
I'VE must go ut once" / warned
1--WE have only enough provisions for
about two days"
After a meager meal hitched the
DOGS (Arters had long since been laid
at resp and went back for the girl.
who was donning her heavy arctic
coat and mittens. A 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-
spoEd to my cr;es-in fact. IT Is doubt
full II they heard me- With a heavy
heart I 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-ls an unknown
quantity.
In the open door. az ! raised my
eyes, I saw the girl. I knew from the
paIlor Of her face that she bad seen
all, but attempted brave smile.
They viii return" spoke reassur'
ingiy.
Perhaps" she said softly i know,
them and their ways. you must re
member" She smiled az me brsveiy.
Sud6enix my arms were about her,