Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-27
The Argus Daily Story
On Little Peak-By Clarissa Macke.
copyrighted. 1911. by Associated Literary Bureau

whitening earth with undiminished
speed until the frightened herd OF cat
tie was located and started on its
homeward way.
1t was harder going back to the
ranch. The snow was driving in their
faces now and chung MOSTLY to every
inch of exposed surface, Just as the
last frightened beast was driven into
the corral and Jose, the Mexican
stableman. had closed the gates there
came the sound Of shouting from the
front OF the ranch house
BY the time Owen had tioundered
around there he knew the shouting
voice to be that OF Peter Bell. and he
wondered what sudden accession OF
anger had driven the old man forth in
the midst OF what promised to be
blizzard.
But Peter Ben was not angry. He
was a terrified and grief stricken old
man, who was being thawed out before
the big coal stove in the sitting room
of the ranch. Mrs. Morgan was hold
ing cup of something hot and steam
ing to his bearded lips. while Owens
father was pulling on fur lined boots
with great haste.
What is the matter?" demanded
Owen, standing In the doorway.
"It's Annie-she went out for a ride
before the storm and she hasn't re-
turned" explained Mrs Morgan quick
~. IAN Of the Bell ranch men are
away. and so Mr.. Bell came over to
Rn& hal
"Of course I don't deserve 1t after
what said to you yesterday" broke
In Peter Bell TREMENDOUSLY, but
(which direction did she taker' an
terrupted Owen ruthlessly.
Toward Little Peak. I warned her
It was going to snow, but she said
she'd be right back. It's a bad trail.
you know, Owen" ended Peter Bell
pitifuly.
I'll bring her back" promised Owen
confidently. "Yeu have everything
ready to thaw Us out when we come,
and. mother. just give me flask of
that brandy in case-in case Annie
should be pretty cold"
A little shudder ran through the old
er people. They knew the chances OF
finding Annie Bell cold-cold in death
were very strong. But owen, fred by
his great love, would leave no place IN
explored. If any one could find the
girl 1t would be the man who loved
her.
Owens mother kissed him and the
two men gripped his hand as he closed
the door behind him. Jose had brought
around one Of the farm horses, a
great heavy animal, whose enormous
strength could better combat the snow
than the lighter animals.
Out of sight of the ranch house, all
bearings were lost in the white world
of snow. A small pocket compass
warmed in his hand guided him to the
westward, where Little Peak reared
its height.
The trail up the mountain side was
narrow and precarious in fair weather.
Owen. strong as he was, shuddered as
, he thought of Annie Bell riding down
there in the face of the first flying
fakes. Even if she reached the foot
Of the peak there was the deep can
yon to ride through, and II her pony
stumbled-why. he did not dare to
think of the soft mound of snow that
might even now cover pretty Annie
Bell. who only yesterday had whisper
! ed that she loved him. 1t had happen
ed on this very self same peak, and
Annie had gone back there today!
owen struck the horse sharply, and
the big body heaved convulsively for
ward. and the great hoofs dashed
through the fast forming drifts. They
covered the three miles to the canyon
| in n half hour. and Owen was another
thirty minutes finding the narrow en-
! trance. There was not a foot OF
| ground that he had not scanned with
/ his eyes as he rode, and his voice
had been lifted In continuous shouting,
! but so far only the dumb silence OF this
mufiilng snow had answered him.
|
In the ranch house Mrs Morgan had
completed her preparation for the res
| torntion of the half frozen ones when
they returned unless-there should be
two lost instead OF one Owens moth
er was holding her husbands hand,
and his other hand was unconsciously
gripped by Peter Bell, who bad for
gotten his anger over the boundary
fence and had become the father of the
missing Annie-and that was all.
"Harkr' cried Peter Bell after three
hours had passed in agoniZing silence.
There was no audible sound, but an
instant later the outer door burst open
and Owen staggered In, holding snow
wreathed burden In his arms.
shes alive!" he painted. Take her
I can get along all right and to prove
that he could Owen Morgan gave An
ME Bell safely into her fathers arms
and sank unconscious to the floor.
When owen awoke between hot
blankets. with a restorative burning
its way down bis throat, his trst
thought was for Annie Bell. At his
first stir in came Peter Bell. leading
Annie by the hand. She was pale. but
her eyes shone happily.
Owen. lad said Peter Bell in a
shaking voice. you saved my girls
life. and it pelongs to you. 1 give her
back to you"