The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-07-19

which the lonely cabin stood was sheL
tered from the prevailing winds, bue
the house itself was almost covered
with the drifts. The constant FIRE
roaring up the huge stone chimney
had melted some Of the snow at the
top and 1t had run down the slanting
roof and formed huge icicles on what
had been the caves Of the house. The
man had cut away the drifts from
doors and windows for light and lib
erty. AT first every stormy night
would NIL his laborious clearings with
drifting snow, but as 1t became pack
ed down and frozen solid he was able
to keep his various ways open without
great deal Of difficulty. A little
work every morning and evening suc-
feed.
Every day he had to so down the
mountain stairway to the bottom Of
the pocket to feed and water the bur-
ros. What was a quick and simple
task In milder. warmer seasons some
times took him a half day under the
present rigorous conditions. And the
woman never saw him start out In
the storm without a sinking heart ana
grave apprehension. On his return to
the cabin half frozen. almost spent
and exhausted. she ever welcomed him
with eager gratitude and satisfaction
which would shine In her eyes, throb
In her heart and tremble upon her
lips. control II as she might. And he
thought II was well worth all the trou.
bic and hardships of his task to be SO
greeted when he came back to her.
Winter had set In unusually early
and with unprecedented severity. Any
Kind OF winter In the mountains
would have amazed the girl. but even
the man with his larger experience
declared he had never before known
such sharp and sudden cold, or such
deep and lasting SHOWS. His daily
records had never shown such low
temperatures nor had his observation
ever noted such wild and furious
storms as ragged then and there. Il
seemed as II Nature were In a con.
spiracy to seal up the mountains and
and egress alike impossible.
mouth had elapsed and Enid's
foot was now quite we'll The man
had managed TO sew up her boot
where the knife had cut II and nj.
though the job was n clumsy one the
result was disable shoe. II Is a.
tonishing the comfort she took when
she first put II on and discarded for
good the sbapeless wooden stocking
which had covered the clumsy band.
age happily no longer necessary. Al.
though the torn and bruised member
had healed and she could use IL with
care. her foot was still very tender
and capable OF sustaining no violent
or long continued strain. or neces
sity she had been largely confined to
the house. but whenever II had Deen
possible he bad wrapped her In his
great bear skin coat and had helped
her out to the edge OF the elf for
a breath OF fresh air.
Sometimes he would leave her
there alone. would perhaps have left
her alone there always had she not
imperiously required his company.
lnsensibiy she had acquired the hab.
it-not n difficult one for "A woman to
fall into-of taking the lead In the
small affairs OF their circumscribed
existence. and he had acquiesced In
her dominance without hesitation or
remonstrance. 1t was she who or.
dered their daily walk and converse,
ton. Her wishes were consulted
about everything. to be sure no great
range OF choice was allowed them. OF
liberty OF action or freedom In the
with which nature bound
them. but whenever there was any
selection she made H.
The man yielded everything for her
and yet no did II without In any way
from his self-respect or
without surrendering his natural In.
dependence. The woman Instructive
ly realized that In any great crisis in
any large matter. the determination
Of which would naturally effect their
present or their future. their happin
ess. welfare life. he would assert him.
self. and his assertion would be un.
questioned and unquestionable by her.
There was . delightful satisfaction
10 the woman In the whole situation.
She had q woman's desire to lead In
The smaller things In life. and yet
craved the woman's consciousness
hat In the great emergencies she
would be led. In the great battles she
would be fought for. In the great dan
gers she would be protected. In the
great perils she would be saved.
There was rest. comfort. Joy and salts,
action In these thoughts.
The strength OF the man she mas
.ered was estimate Of her own power
and charm. There was a great. sweet.
foiceless. unconscious nattery In his
reference OF which she could not BE-
unaware.
GRO BE CONTINUED
Thin Ice.