Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1913-09-18

tuS III uis HeHTt--uOpe tnht ue iuttus
yet wiring from lie Fevre confes-
sion that would clear his name. lie
knew his man at last--knew him. and
would track him now with all the pitt
less ingenuity OF savage once he
could stPrd erect. absolyed Of dis
grace. a nan again among men. he
would ignore the uniform OF the ranks.
and go to her with all the pride Of his
race. Ay! 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 It all as he paced the
floor. or stared into the fire. while out
side the wind ragged and howled. piling
the snow against the cabin front. and
whirling In mad bursts up tho valley.
II would be death to fNce the fury OF
T. 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.
raj. 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
impbssibllity OF going farther, Ex
bausted 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. lIamlin suggested search.
ing for the bodies OF Wasson and
\ l,,,t
staring at the other as though half
believing him dementcd The Ser
| gcant strode to the door and looked
out into the smother OF snow; then
came back without 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
ardly shot which killed Wasson nor
entirely rid himself OF a 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 he 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. becominp
more and more convinced that both
men were thieves. their herds largely
stolen through conn!vance with In
dians Undoubtedly lie Fevre was
the bigger rascal OF the two. and pos
sessed greater influence because ol
his marriage into the tribe.
1t was the second midnight wher
,he Wind died down. Han!in, sleepin,
fitfully. 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
Geld crystals. Nothing broke th'
white desolation but the dark waters
of the river still unfrozen. and tn,
gaunt limbs OF the cottonwoods. nov
standing naked and motionless. Tn,
silence was profound, seeming almost
painful after the wild fury OF the pas
days. lie could hear the soft purr o.
the water. and CAROLS heavy breath
ing And 1t was cold. bitterly cold
the chill of It penetrating to his yer,
bones But for that he had no care
his mind had absorbed the one impor
tant fact: the way was open. the,
could go. He shook Hughes roughl!
into wakefulness. giving utterance 4
sharp. tense orders as though h,
dealt with man of his own troop.
Turn out, lively. now. Yes. the storm
Is over. It's midnight. or little after
and growing cold. Put on your heav
stuff. and bring up the two bes
horses. Come. now; you'll step oi
quicker than that. Hughes, II you rid
with me. I'll have everything read
by the time you get here. Eat! He'll
Wen eat In the saddle! Whats tha
CARROLL"
"Ye aln't a-goIn' to leave me yer
alone. are ye, Sergeant"
mo; there'll be two horses TO kee
you company You've got snal
man: plenty to eat, and a good fire.
what more do you want--a nurse
Hughes. what. In the name OF Heavel
are you standing there for? Perhar
J. you would like to have me stir 20
d up I will II those horses are not her