Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-11-29

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cried once to the pack Of gray dogs
"Oonahw and they were off as If In
chase.
AS they dashed past both white men
had one fleeting glimpse Of woman's
face beneath furred hood. and then
it was gone.
"Did you see% Fraser calculated
Good Lord! It's a woman-a blond
woman"
Nonsense! She must be breed"
said Emerson.
Breeds don't have yellow hair!" de-
clared the other.
Swiftly they bent In the free dogs
and lashed the team to run. They
felt the chill Of death In their bones.
and instead Of riding they ran with the
sled till their blood beat painfully
Their outer coverings were like shells,
their underclothes were soaked, and,
although their going WAS difficult and
clumsy. they dared not stop, for this
is the EXTREMIST peril Of the north.
They swung over the river bank and
into the midst Of great rambling frame
buildings. Their trail led them to
high banked cabin. Another mile
would have meant disaster.
"Rout out the owner and tell him
we're wet" said Emerson. "I'll free
the dogs"
Before he could reach the cabin the
door opened and Fraser appeared. e
strange, dazed look on his face. He
was followed by q large man OF sullen
countenance.
Its no use," Fraser said. I'VE can't
60 in."
whats wrong? Somebody sick"
81 don't know what's the matter
This man just says nix that's ALL"
The fellow growled. "Yaas; Ay got
no room"
"But you don't understand" said
Emerson. Were wet. We broke
through the ice. Never mind the
room. Well get along somehow"
"You can't come in har You find
anoder house. tree mile furder."
The traveller pushed forward. lnvol-
UNFAIRLY the watchman drew back.
whereupon the unwelcome visitor
crowded past, jostling his inhospitable
host roughly. Emerson's quick action
gained him entrance. and Fraser fol-
lowed behind into the living room.
where fiat nosed squaw withdrew
before them. The young man address
ed her peremptorily:
punch up that fire and get us some
thing to eat. quick
Sour obedience followed.
Fraser had been watching the fel-
low and now remarked to his compan-
ion:
Say, what ails that ginney:"
The assumption Of good nature fell
away from Boyd Emerson as he re
piled:
81 never knew anybody to refuse
shelter to freezing men before"
The watchman reappeared.
"You can't stop har" he said. "Ay
got orders. BY Yingo. Ay trow yon
out"
He stopped and gathered up the gar
ments nearest him. then stepped to-
ward the outer door. but before he
could make good his threat Emerson
whirled like cat, his deep set eyes
dark with sudden fury, and seized his
host by the nape Of the neck. He
jerked him back so roughly that the
wet clothes tapped to the floor in four
directions, whereat the Scandinavian
let forth below. but Emerson struck
him heavily on the jaw with his open
hand, then hurled him backward Into
the room so violently that he reeled.
and. his legs colliding with bench.
he fell against the wall. His assail-
at stepped in and throttled him. beat
ing his head violently against the logs
Emerson. stepping back. spoke In a
1uivering voice which Fraser had nev-
81 heard before:
I'm just playing with you now.
don't want to hurt you"
Get out of my house! Ay got or
iersw cried the watchman and made
for him again.
Emerson dragged him to his own
doorsill. jerked the door open and
kicked him out into the snow. then
barred the entrance and returned to
the warmth Of the logs. his face con-
yulsed and his lips working.
When the slatternly woman ha(
slunk forth and was busted at thu
stove Emerson observed musingly:
u wonder what possessed that fel
low to act as he did"
"He said he had ORDERS" Fraser OF
fered. IF | had warm cabin, a 10
of grub and squaw I'd like to SCI
somebody give me orders"
Their clothing was dry now. ant
they proceeded to dress leisurely
When they had finished their coffee
Emerson laid two silver dollars on th'
table, and they left the house to searci
out the river trail again.
The darkness was upon them wheI
they crept up the opposite bank al
hour later toward group Of shadow!
buildings. Approaching the solitar!
gleam of light shining from the win
dow of the watchman's house, they ap
piled to him for shelter.
"You can't stop here" gruff1y.
as there a roadhouse near by?"
"Try the next place below" said tn
watchman hurriedly, slamming tn
door In their faces and bolting 1t.
At the next stop they encountere'
the same gruff show Of inhospitality.