Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-14

they swung out into the darkness q
second time. IF that doesn't succeed,
then I'll take possession again. won't
be passed on all night this way
"The buck will certainly show u.s.
to the straw said "Flngerless' Fras-
er.
"The what?"
THE 'buck'-the sky-dog -oh, tho
priest!"
But when, a mile farther on, they
drew up before white pile surmounted
by dimly discerned Greek cross
no sign Of life was to be seen, and
their signals awakened no response.
Gone! and they knew it."
The vicious manner in which Elmer
son handled his whip as he said th9
words betrayed his state of mind.
Three weeks Of unvarying hardship
and toilsome travel had worn out both
men, and rendered them well-nigh des'
perate. Hence they wasted no words
when, for the fourth time, their eyes
caught the welcome sight Of shining
radiance in the gloom Of the gathering
night. The trail-weary team stopped OF
its own accord.
"Unhitch!" ordered Emerson, dogA
gedly az he began to unite the ropes
Of the sled He shouldered the Sleep
ing bags, and made toward the light
that filtered through the crusted wins
dows, followed by Fraser similarly
burdened. But as they approached
they saw at once that this was no
cannery; it looked more like roak
house or trading-post, for the strnct
ture was low and it was built Of logs.
Behind and connected with it by 9
covered hall or passageway crouched
another squat building of the same
character, it's roof piled thick with a
mass OF snow. It's windows glowing.
Those warm squares of light, set into
the black walls and overhunk by whitd
burdened caves, gave the place the APP
pearance of Christmas card 1t WaS
so snug and cozy. Even the glitter wa3
there, caused by the rays refractad
from the facets of the myriad frcs1
crystals
They mounted the steps of the clgk
building, and, without knocking, flung
the door open, entered, then tossed
their bundles to the floor. With
sharp exclamation at this unceremon1
ious intrusion, an Indian womant
whom they had surprised, dropped her
task apd regarded them, round-eYee.
| We're all right this time" observed
Emerson. as he swept the placd
with his eyes. cts a stare" Thea "a
the woman he said. briefly: We want
Il bed ana something to cat.
On every side the walls were shelW
ed with merchandise, while the count
er carried supply of clothing, skins
and what not; a cylindrical stove'iH .
the center Of the room emauated a hot
red glow, s
aThis looks like the Waldorf to me-
said "Flngerless" Fraser, starting ia
remove mis- parka, the fox fringe IN
the hood G. which was white from his
breath.
VIVA. you want?" demanded the
squaw, coming forward.
Boyd, likewise divesting himself OF
his f,lrs noticed that she was little
more than girl-a natE-e, undouGt-
eddy; put she was neatly dressed, her
skin was light, and her hair twisted
| into sr-coth black knot at the Jack
of her heal
Food Sleep" he replied to her
question.
sYou can't stop here the girl as-
serted. firmly.
| ooh yes, we can" said Emerson.
.You have plenty Of room. and there's
| lots of food"--he indicated the shelJe5
! of canned goods.
! The souaw, without moving. raised
| her voice and called: Constantine!
Constantine"
| A door in the farther shadows opened.
and the tall figured of man emerged
| advancing swiftly, his soft soles noises
| less beneath him.
well, well. It's old Squirrel-Tail,"
cried Fraser. Good evening, ConstaI,-
| tine"
1t was the copper-hued native VINO
had rescued them from the river
earlier in the day; but although he
| must have recognized them, his de-
meanor had no welcome init. The ms
dian girl broke into a torrent OF
excited volubility, unintelligible to the
white men.
"You no stop here said Constant
tine, finally; and making toward the
outer door, he flung it open, pointing
out into the night.
yves come a long way, and we're
tired" Emerson argued, pacifically.is
We'll pay you well"
Constantine only replied with added
firmess, mo-" to which the other re-
torted with a flash of rising anger.
"Yes!" !,
He faced the Indian with his back to
the stove, his voice taking on de-
termined note. Eve won't leave here
until we are ready. We're tired. and
we're going to stay here--do you un-
derstand? Now tell your klootch' to
get us some supper. Quick"
The breeds face blazed. Without
closing the door, he moved directly
upon the interloper, his design recog-
nizable in his threatening attitude
but before he could put his plan into,
execution, soft voice from the rear
of the room halted him.
Constantine" 1t said.
The travellers whirled to see, stand
ing out in relief against the darkness
of the passage whence the Indian had 1
lust come few seconds before, the
golden-haired girl Of the storm, to.
whom they had been indebted for
| .zo,ra Che oHuonnod cnni1inpti