The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-08-19


 "One mile you go-white man house. Go Quick-you freeze"
 "Ain't you got no dry clothes7 Our stuff is soaked"
 Again the Indian translated some words from the girl.
 "No. You hurry and no stop here. We go quick over wonder. No can. stop at all"
 He hurried back to his mistress, cried once to the pack of gray dogs. "Oonahr and they were off as if in chase
 As they dashed past both white men had one fioeting glimpse of woman's face beneath furred hood, and then it was gone.
 Did you sees" Fraser calculated. Good Lord! It's a woman-a blond woman"'
 Nonsense. She must be a breed" Said Emerson.
 Breeds don't have yellow hair!' de clared the other.
 Swiftly they bent in the free dogs and dashed 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 underelothes were soaked. and. although their going was difficult and ! clumsy. they dared not stop. for this is the extrelnest 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 che door opened and Fraser appeared, a strange iaZed look on his face. He was followed by a large man of sullen countenance.
 Its no use," Fraser said. We can't go in."
 Whats wrong: Somebody sickT'
 'T 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. We're wet. We broke through the ice. Never mind the room. We'll get along somehow"
 You can't come in har. You find anoder house tree mile furder."
 The traveller pushed forward. Invol- untarily the watchman drew back. whereupon the unwelcome visitor crowded past, jostling his inhospita ble host roughly Emerson's quick action gained him entrance, and Fraser fol lowed behind into the living room. where a flat 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:
 'T never knew anybody to refuse shelter to freezing men before" The watchman reappeared. You can't stop harr' he said. "Ay got orders. By Yingo. Ay rrow you outr'
 He stopped and gathered Up the gar ments nearest him, then stepped to- ward the outer door. but before be i could make good his threat Emerson l whirled like cat, his deep set eyes dark with sudden fury. and seized his host by the nape of the neck. He l jerked him back so roughly shat the wet clothes Tapped to tue 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 reeieJ. i and, his legs colliding with a bench. 1 be fell against the wall His assail- ant stepped in and throttled him. beat i ing his head violently against the logs. i Emerson. stepping back. spoke in a i quivering voice which Fraser had nev- l ei heard before:
 'I'm just playing with you now. I | don't want to hurt you" l ''Get out of my house! Az got or ! dersv' cried the watchman and made l for him again. '! Emerson dragged him t, his own doorsili. jerked the door open and kicaed him out into the snow. then barred the entrance and returned to i the warmth Of the logs. his face con- vulsed and his lips working. ! When the slatternly woman hst, slunk forth and was busted at the stove Emerson observed musirgly:
 "I wonder what possessed that fel- low to act as he did,
 "He said he had orders," Fraser of fered. If l had a warm cabin, lot of grub and squaw I'd like to sec somebody give me orders | Their clothing was dry now. and they proceeded to dress leisurely | When they had finished their coffee | Emerson laid two silver dollars on the l table and they left the house to search | out the river trail again. The darkness was upon them wher
 they crept up tue opposite bank ar | hour later toward group of sha dowy
 buildings. Approaching the solitary gleam of light shining from rhe win | dow of the Watchman's house they ap