The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-07-28

also fall. and lie when he had fallen
like his dead brother back on the
trail. and then she and the boy would
inevitably perish.
Well. II was his life or hers! The
decision was forced upon her. And
perhaps after all 1t was Just as well
to get rid of them both and have done
with IL. She reached over, and be-
fore the boy realized what was hap
pening she caught his hand, tore his
fingers from the saddle strap, and
thrust him violently backward. I'm
prepared, unsuspecting, half-dazed. he
could offer no adequate resistance. He
reeled and fell supine in a deep and
overwhelming drift. She struck the
horse heavily with the whip that hung
from the saddle bow, and the animal
plunged forward wildly. She knew
that she was safe unless he should
try to shoot her: for he was too weak
and too exhausted to catch her.
The boys senses we're quickened in
to instant action by her conduct. Aft
er the first moment OF surprise. he
knew at once that she was deliberate
ly abandoning him to die in the snow.
hot rush of blood. in spite OF the
cold. swept over him. He thrust his
hand within bis coat and dragged out
a weapon. He raised II and trained
IL on the woman's back. and for the
moment his hand did not tremble.
Then there rose before him that other
cory figure. Though he bad lived
some months on the Wild frontier and
had seen more than one man killed
there. he had never been connected
with the murder before. even as an
accessory after the fact. and the hor-
ror OF II was still upon him. He low.
cred the pistol. though he could easily
have shot her dead.
Such treachery on the part of a
woman would have killed some men /:
not so this boy. In that moment he
became man. He saw himself a
fool: he determined that he would not
also see himself a coward. Clenching
his fists and summoning his strength
he followed southwark afoot In the
woman's wake.
lie walked-if that be the word for
| his progress-with his head down and
| his body bent lower and lower. He
| took long rests between the steps. by
and by he fell forward on his face
/ The sensation of delicious rest and
drowsiness that swept over him wooet
| him to lie still and die but there were
still sparks and remnants OF manhood
! and courage in him. He shook of his
| desire TO sleep at last and strove fran
tically to rise. Finding that he could
| not, he crawled forward on his hand;
and knees. slowly working himself
over the snow covered ground. rount
the drifts like a great animal.
There was no use. Humanity coulC
not stand the strain any longer. On'
more movement he made. and just al
he was about to sink down forever h
heard long. deep hollow. mournfu
sound lie stopped. interested. diml.
wondering what 1t could be.
Whatever 1t was. IL meant life o
some kind. II came from directl,
in front Of him. 1t nerved him to fun
Their effort. Summoning the last yes
tige of his strength. he advanced
little farther.
He knew what it was now. II wa
locomotive.
lie lifted his head and saw light
family lie OWNED that II was tn
station. the train. the Overland Lin
tied, She would get on II and &
away, What mattered It?
And what of himself? There wa
help: there was life, He actually ros
To his feet and wavered on. by haI
py chance the contour of the groun
had caused the space between hin
and the lights to be swept compars
lively bare of snow. II was not no,
difficult walking. yet he staggered lik
drunken man.
All! the lights were moving befor
his eyes. they danced and fiickeret
The train was going! He broke int
Keeling run. hoarse whispers on hi
frozen lips. Too late.
lie stumbled and fell across the ca
tracks. iimly conscious of the light
of the departing train. He had jus
sense enough and strength enoug
to cry out as he did so. Some one o
the station platform heard his voic,
Men came toward him: he was lifte
, up and carried into a warm room
, Something burning yet deliciously r.
, yiving was poured down his throat
The woman," he gasped out. lool
, ing up In the faces of the static
agent and his helper bending ov,
him.
I She took the limited not 1--WE mi
;. utes ago" said the man staring at hi
2 curiously. The train was two houl
4 and a half late or she'd never ha,
v got IT,"
E She's gone them" gasped the DO
, Yes"
A Thank God she got away" he mu
A INJURED as he lapsed into complete u
y consciousness.
:. There was good stun In the bo
a He WAS glad the woman had esean m.