The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1910-10-14

tu0 UOOS Opeus euteIAuk. WIN onoAP
exclamation an Indian woman regard
ed them round eyed.
"We're all right this time," observed
Emerson. ''It's store" Then to the
woman he said briefly. I'VE want a
bed and something to eat"
On every side the walls were shelved
with merchandise. while the counter
carried a supply of clothing and skins.
"What you want?" demanded the
squaw.
Boyd and Fraser. divesting them
selves Of their furs, noticed that she
| was little more than q girl-a native
undoubtedly.
Food! Sleepv' Boyd replied.
"You can't stop here" the girl as
serted firmly.
"Oh. yes. we can," said Emerson.
The squaw called, "Constantine!"
The tall figure of a man emerged. adj
vancing swiftly.
1t was the copper hued native who
had rescued them from the river ear
lier in the day. The Indian girl broke
into torrent of excited volubility.
|
tine. Making toward the outer door.
he flung it open.
"We've come long way and we're
tired" Emerson argued. He faced the
Indian with his back to the stove, his
voice taking on a determined note.
1--WE won't leave here until we are
ready. Now tell your 'klootch' to get
us some supper. Quickv'
A soft voice from the rear of the
room halted the advancing Indian.
constantine" it said.
The travellers whirled to see, stand
ing out in relief against the darkness
Of the passage whence the Indian had
just come a few seconds before, the
golden haired girl of the storm to
whom they had been indebted for their
rescue. She advanced. smiling pleas
antly.
"These men no stop here" cried Con-
stantine violently.
"I-I-beg pardon" began Emerson.
I'VE didn't intend to take forcible pos
session. but we're played out-we've
been denied shelter everywhere-we
felt desperate"-
She addressed the Indian girl in
Aleut and signaled to Constantine. at
which the two natives retired.
Were glad of an opportunity to
thank you for your timely service this
afternoon" said Emerson.
''Oh. that was nothing. I've been ex-
pecting you hourly. You see. Constan.
tines little brother has the measles.
and l had to get to him before the ma
tives could give the poor little fellow
a Russian bath and then stand him out
in tho snow. They have only o2e
treatment for all diseases"
If your-er-father"- The girl
shook her head.
'Then your husband-I should like to
arrange with him to hire lodgings for
a few days. The matter Of money!
Again she came to his rescue.
II am the man of the house. I'm
boss here. You are quite welcome to
stay as long as you wish. Constantine
objects to my hospitality and treats all
strangers alike. fearing they may be
company men,"
I'VE throwed a Swede out on his
neck" declared Fraser. swelling with
conscious importance. land guess
he's Grabbed US with the other square
heads"
"Oh. no! They have instructions not
to harbor any travellers. It's as much
as his job is worth for any of them to
| tae fotv ~ lyc
yourselves at home while Constantine
attends to your dogs? Dinner will
soon be ready"
He murmured "Gladly" and then
lost himself in wonder at this well
gowned girl living amid such surround
ings. Undeniably pretty, graceful in
her movements, bearing herself with
certainty and poise. who was She
Where did she come from? And what
in the world was she doing here?
He became aware that "Fingerless'
Fraser was making the introductions
'"This Is Mr.. Emerson. My name is
French. I'm one of the Virginia
Trenches, you know. Perhaps you
have heard of them. No? Well. they're
the real thing"
Emerson forestalled her acknowl
edgement by breaking in roughly:
His name isn't French at all
madam; it's Fraser-'Fingerless' Fra
ser. He's an utterly worthless rogue
and absolutely unreliable. so far as
can learn. picked him up on the ict
in Norton sound with marshal at hi:
heels"
'.That marshal wasn't after me-
stoutly denied Fraser. quite unabash
ed. "Why. he's a friend of mine
we're regular chums. Everybody
knows that. He wanted to give m,
some papers to take outside, that!
ALL"
Boyd shrugged his shoulders indif
. ferently:
"Warrantsv'
Their hostess. greatly amused. pre-
vented any further argument by say
ing:
Il suppose you are bound for tn
StatesT
"Voa wo intand RI cafoh tho r,o,