Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-04-24

stricted play to the imagination. and.
incidentally awakening love for the
girl SO overwhelming as almost to
frigaten him. He had fought this feel
ing heretofore, deliberately, satisfied
that such ambition was hopeless. He
would not attempt to lower her to his
level, NOS siva her the unhappiness Of
knowing that he dared misconstrue
her frank friendliness into aught more
tender. but these misfort,nes had
changed the entire outlook. Now he
flung all p-etense aside, eager to place
his life on the altar to save her.
Even dim flame Of hope began blaz-
ing in his heart-hope that he might
yet wiring from LIE Fevre a confess
sion that would clear his name. He
knew his man at last-knew him, and
would track him now with all the pitt
less ingenuity of a savage. Once he
could stand erect, absolved of dis
grace, man again among men, he
would ignore the uniform Of the ranks,
and go to her with all the pride Of his
race. Az! and down In his 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 1t all as he paced the
floor, or stared into the fire, while out
side the wind ragged end hbwled, piling
the snow against the cabin front, and
whirling in mad bursts up the valley.
It would be death to face the fury of
1t on those open plains. There was
nothing left him but to swear, and
pace back and forth. Twice he and
Hughes fought their way to the cor
ral found the horses sheltered In a
little cove. and brought them food
and water. The struggle to accom-
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 WATSON and
Wade, but Hughes shook his head,
staring at the other as though half
believing him demented. The Ser.
geant strobe to the door and looked
out into the smother of snow; then
| came back without q 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 q
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 meEory the cow
ardly shot which killed WATSON, nor
entirely rid himself Of fear that he.
himself. had failed an old comrade, In
not revenging his death; yet one
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 to 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 were thieves, their herds largely
stolen through connivance with In
dams. Undoubtedly LIE Fevre 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
f1tfully, seemed to sense the change;
he rose, forced the door open, ant
peered out eagerly. There was light
ness to the sky, and all about the un
broken expanse of snow sparkled IL
cold crystals. Nothing broke tn,
white desolation but the dark waters
of the river still unfrozen, and tn,
gaunt limbs of the cottonwoods, nov
standing naked and motionless TIL
silence was profound, seeming almos
painful after the wild fury of the pas
days. He could hear the soft purr O
the water, and CAROLS heavy breath
ing. And 1t was cold, bitterly colo
the chill of it penetrating to his YER
bones. But for that he had no care
his mind had absorbed the one impol
tant fact; the way was open. the
could go. He shook Hughes roughl
into wakefulness. giving utterance t
sharp, tense orders, as though b
dealt with man Of his own troop.
!. "Turn out, lively. now Yes. the storr
Is over. It's midnight, or little aftel
and growing cold. Put on your heav
stun. and bring up the two bes
horses. Come. now; you'll step o.
quicker than that, Hughes. IL you rid
with me. I'll have everything read
}, by the time you get here. Eat! He'll
II Well eat In the saddle! What's tha'
, Carroll?"
''Ye amt a-gein' to leave me yer
alone. are We. Sergeant1"