Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-12
THE EVENING STORY.
Auain on the Trail.
Downright, 1918. by ". wernes.)

"Granther. you want to stay out OF
this: you're too old for any such stunt.
STAY here and look out for things, said
big Pierce to the old man. who had como
IN the door with his rifle In his hand. be-
hind him Ben, his old hound, SHINING at
the rifle butt, his tail vibrating, as youth
cane again and memories or what that
rifle stood for.
But I'm good fer 1t.
"cood fer nothin," the other return
ed. I'VE can't be bothered with you and
tho old dog. This means business Go
in and keep quiet"
.But-Td-Td like to try" the old man
urged, fearfully.
"Granther" crept back TO his seat py
tho window. and the old dog followed. tall
down. as he realized what had Deen the
Judgment passed upon them. Inc olu
man watched the party go ooWh tne e
road then hsa hs tuI1 Wait am Benny boy til
thew cit out of sight an then we'N go.
Benny he said.
The Pierce homestead was near the
great woods of Canada. There the ola
man had hewed out a home and ms son
had taken UP the burden. belllgerent
and battle loving, the younger man had
been given a state wardenship, ana ne
had forced the people in his section 10
live up to the laws. But they o, were th q
border. Among them had come na11-
breed trapper by the name OF Nose. Fierce
had long been waiting for him. ana ne
caught him, with the result that Nose
went southwark to the state prison and
snant a weary year there. He went VOW
ing revenge; he returned silent, sinister
and reyengeful still. Pierce had been
warned but he knew Nose was coward
at heart and would never dare strike at
him.
He Judged Nose right. Nose was a
coward: but he struck, nevertheless.
Pierce's little youngster, the pride OF
his heart and the idol OF his young
mother. had been left playing near me
barn. Suddenly and silently, as If caught
up into the skies. he disappeared. There
had been no cry, no sound; but near
where Mrs. Pierce. glancing out Win
watchful eye. had seen the little fellow
for the last time. was the print of moe
casin made as Nose. In STOPPING. had
borne hard against the dirt. There was
no more. -,
The word had gone swiftly. They did
not believe that Nose would XIII the
child. but swift and far he would bear
him, where life would be worse than
death Then men had gathered and were
going to hasten over the northern tran
in hopes Of overtaking him.
"Granthers'' heart had been stirred
with the old fire of battle and he had
begged to be allowed to follow on. but
the curt refusal he had received showed
him that he was. like old Ben" gone
by in the estimation Of the others. He
would show them or never come back.
From an old pack in his room he
brought out his woodman suit Of long
ago. The old dog. with ears up and nose
moist and eager as the old pack gave
out long forgotten smells. edged around
and got under the old mans feet:
"Granther' kept up steady stream OF
talk to the old hound. and the old hound
streamed back-with his tail.
At last "Granther'' was ready. He
shouldered his rifle and whistled to Ben.
.'Granther' took him out to the moccasin
print and pushed his nose down to 1t.
The old hound shifted and whimpered.
He could not seem to get the scent.
..Granthers" heart sank. Bonnie, air
We OF as that" he moaned.
The old dog suddenly crOuched as he
caught the odor of the old moccasin. His
nose went up in the ancient call OF his
fathers: he had proved his youth. He
started away, whimpering and crying,
and the old man followed with whispered
exhortations. Straight to the east woods
the dog went. "Granther" was puzzled.
Nose would never go that way. but the
old dog held on. "Granther' groaned and