The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1913-08-28

y ct NElDE LFOm lie fEFfb COhiSo
sion that would clear hiG aAue. he \
knew his man at last--knew him, and +
would track him now with all the pitt
less ingenuity Of a savage. once ne |
could stand erect. absolved Of dis |
grace. q man again among men, ne !
would ignore the uniform Of the ranks
and 60 to her with all the pride Of his !
race. Ay, and down IN bis heart he !
knew that she would welcome his com
ing; that her eyes would not look at
the uniform, but down into the depths
OF his own.
He thought OF It all as he paced the
floor. or stared into the fire, while out
side the wind ragged and howled. piling
.he snow against the cabin front, ano
whirling in mad bursts up the valley
II would be death TO face the fury Of
T. OF those open plains. There wai
nothing left him but TO swear, anc
pace back and forth. Twice he anc
raj found the horses sheltered In 6
little cove. and brought them foot
and water. The struggle to accolJ
plIsh this was sufficient proof of the
impossibility OF going farther. Ex
hausted and breathless they staggered
back into the quietness Of the cabin
feeling as though they had been beaten
by clubs. Once, desperate to attempt
something. Hamlin suggested search.
ing for the bodies OF Wasson and
Wade, but Hughes shook his head
staring at the other as though hall
believing him demented. The Ser
geant strode to the door and looked
out into the smother Of snow; then
came back without a word OF protest
Carroll improved steadily, complain.
ing OF pain where the frost had nipped
exposed flesh, yet able to sit up, and
eat heartily. There remained
numbness in his feet and legs, how
ever. which prevented his standing
alone. and both the others realized
that he would have to be left behind
when the storm abated Hughes would
go without doubt: on this point the
Sergeant was determined He did not
altogether like or trust the man; he
could not blot from memory the COW
ardly shot which killed Wasson, nor
entirely rid himself Of fear that he
himself, had failed an old comrade, in
thing was clear-the mans hatred for
lie Fevre made him valuable Treach-
erous as he might be by nature, now
his whole soul was bent on revenge
Moreover he knew the lay Of the land
the trail the fugitives would follow
and 20 some extent Black Kettles
camp. Little by little Hamlin drew
from him every detail Of lie Fevre's
life IN the cattle country, becoming
more and more convinced that both
men we're thieves. their herds largely
stolen through conn!vance with In
dians. Undoubtedly lie Feyre was
the bigger rascal Of the two, and pos.
sessed greater influence because Of
his marriage into the tribe.
1t was the second midnight when
The wind died down. Hamlin, sleeping
itfully, seemed to sense the change
he rose, forced the door open, and
peered out eagerly. There was light
ness to the sky, and all about, the IN
broken eXpanse Of snow sparkled in
cold crystals. Nothing broke the
white desolation but the dark waters
OF the river still unfrozen, and the
gaunt limbs Of the cottonwoods, now
standing naked and motionless. The
silence was profound, seeming almost
painful after the wild fury Of the past
days. He could hear the soft purr OF
the water and Carrolls heavy breath
ing. And 1t was cold bitterly cold,
the chill of it penetrating to his very
bones But for that he had no care
his mind had absorbed the one impor-
tant fact; the way was open, they
could go. He shook Hughes roughly
into wakefulness, giving utterance to
sharp, tense orders, as 1ough he
dealt with man Of his own troop.
Turn out, lively, now. Yes. the storm
is over. It's midnight, or a little after,
and growing cold. Put on your heavy
stuff, and bring up the two best
horses. Come, now; you'll step of
quicker than that, Hughes, II you ride
with me. I'll have everything ready
by the time you get here. Eat! He'll.
Wen eat in the saddle What's that,
Carroll?"
"Ye amt a-goin' to leave me yere
alone. are ye, Sergeant"
NO; there'll be two horses to keep
you company You've got a snap.
man; plenty to eat. and a good fire
what more do you want-a nurse?
Hughes what. In the name OF Heaven