The Detroit times., 1912-07-16
PHILIPSTEELE
Notwithstanding
y JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
Auibo Of IheDanser Trail. IheiiOaOrof theB&SosdE.
~ Copyright 1911 The Bohbs- Merrill coep.ny.
, Copyright 1911. The BOhSs Merrill Company.

quiet, this same amending mystery or
voiceless desolation that had won him
TO the north. Until tonight he had
loved IT, But now there was some
thing oppressive about II, something
that made him strain his eyes TO see
beyond the rock and the fire, and set
his ears in tense listening for sounds
which did not exist. He knew that
In this hour he was longing for COM
panionship-not that OF Breed, ->r OF
men with whom he hunted men, but
of men and women whom he had once
known and In whose lives he had
played part-ages ago. II seemed 10
him. He knew. as he sat with clench-
ed hands and staring eyes, that chief
ly he was longing for a woman-a
woman whose eyes and lips and sun
ny hair haunted him after months OF
forgetfulEess. and whose face smiled
at him luringly. now, from out the
leaping flashes OF fire-tempting him,
calling him over thousand miles or
space. And IL he yielded
The thought sent his nails biting
into the flesh OF his palms and he
sank back with curse that held
more of misery than blasphemy. Ply
steal exhaustion rather than desire
for sleep closed his eyes, at last, in
halfsmmber. and after that the face
seemed nearer and more real 10 him.
utnil IL was close at his side, and was
speaking to him. He heard again the
soft, ripping laugh. girlishly sweet,
that had fascinated him at Hawkins
bail: he heard the distant hum and
chatter of other voices, and then one
loud and close-that of Chesbro, who
had unwttingly interrupted them,
and saved him, just in the nick OF
time.
Steele moved restlessly: after
moment wriggled To his elbow and
looked toward the fire. He seemed
TO hear Chesbro's voice again as he
awoke, and a thrill as keen as an
electric shock set his nerves tingling
when he heard once more the laugh
ing voice Of his dream hushed and
low. In amazement he sat belt up
right and stared. Was he still dream
ing? The fire was burning brightly
and he was aware that he had scarce
fallen into sleep.
movement-a sound OF feet
crunching softly In the snow. and a
figure came between him and the fire,
II was a woman.
He choked back the cry that rose
TO his lips and sat motionless and
without sound. The figure approach
ed a step nearer, peering into the
deep gloom Of the tent. He caught
the silver CLINT In the freight on
heavy fur, the whiteness OF a hand
touching lightly the flap of his tent.
and then for an instant he saw q face.
In that instant he sat as rigid as II
he had stopped the beat of his own
life. A pair OF dark eyes laughing il
at him, a fash of laughing teeth, a
low litter that was scarce more than
a ripping throat-note, and the faco
was gone, leaving him still staring
into the blank space where It had
been.
With cough to give warning Of his
wakefulness, Steele flung of his
blanket and drew himself through the
low opening of the tent On the ex-
IRENE right OF the fire stood a man
and woman, warming themselves over
the Goals. They Strengthened from
their leaning posture as he appeared.
This Is too bad, too bad, Mr..
Steele" exclaimed the man, advanc.
ing quickly / was afraid we'd make
blunder and awaken you We were
about to camp on a mountain back
there when We saw your fire and
drove on TO ii. I'm sorry"
Wouldn't have had you miss me
Tor anything, interrupted Steele,
gripping the others proffered hano.
You see, I'm out from Lac Balm to
meet Col. and Mrs. Becker, and"
He hesitated purposely, his white
teeth cleaning in the frank smile
which made people like him i'm
mensely. from the first
You've met Them" completed the
laughing voice from across the fire.
Please, Mr.. Steele, will you forgive
me for looking in at you and waking
you up? But your feet looked so ter
ribly funny, and assure you that
was all could see, though tried
awfully hard. Anyway, saw your
name printed on the flap of your
tent"