The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1914-12-24

At last Clayton became so weak that
he was no longer able to descend from
the shelter. For a day he suffered for
water without appealing to the Rus
sian; but finally, unable to endure it
longer, he asked Thuran to fetch him 8
drink.
The Russian anne to the entrance to
Clayton's room, a dish of water in his
hand. A nasty grin contorted his fea
lures.
Here is water" he said. But first
let me remind you that you maligned
me before the girl; that you kept her to
yourself and would not share her with
me-
Clayton interrupted him. Stop he
cried. stop! What manner of III
are you that you traduce the character
of a good woman whom we believe
dead! God, l was a fool ever to let
you live! You are not fit to live even
in this vile landI'
Here is your water said the Rus
sian. "all you will get" And he raised
the basin to his lips and drank. What
was left he threw out upon the ground
below. Then he turned and left the
sick man.
Clayton rolled over and, burying his
face in his arms, gave up the battle.
The next day Thuran determined to
set out toward the north along the
coast, for he knew that eventually he
r,,,ct oav,n 70 Tho n Affiliations Of ciyi-
liZed e At least he could be no
worse off then he was here. and fur
thermore the rawlings of the English
man were getting on his nerves.
SO he stole Clayton's spear and set
off upon his journey. He would have
killed the sick man before he left had
it not occurred to him that it would
really have been a kindness to do SO.
That same day he came to a little
cabin by the beach, and his heart filled
with renewed hope as he saw this evi-
dence of the proximity of civilization,
for he thought it but the outpost of a
nearby settlement. Had he known to
whom it belonged and that its owner
was at that very moment but a few
miles inland, Nikolas Rokoff would
have fed the place as he would a pesti-
lence. But he did not know, and S he
remained for a few days to enjoy the
security and comparative comforts Of
the cabin. Then he took up his north
ward journey once more.
In Lord Tennington's camp prepare
tiopS wara ooinp forward to bIIi1d nor
manent quarters and then to send out
an expedition of a few men to the north
in search of relief.
AS the days had passed without
bringing the longed for succor, hope
that Jane Porter, Clayton and NJ. Thu
ran had been rescued began to die. No
one spoke Of the matter longer to Pro
fessor Porter, and he was SO immersed
in his scientific dreaming that he was
not aware of the elapSe of time.
Occasionally he would remark that
within a few days they should certain
ly see a steamer drop anchor off their
shore and that then they should all be
reunited happily. Sometimes he spoke
of it as a train and wondered if it
were being delayed by snOwstorms.
IF | didn't know the dear old fell
low so well by now" bennington re-
marked to Miss Strong, II should be
quite certain hat he was-er-nOt quite
right. don't you know"
IF it were not so pathetic it would
be ridiculous" said the girl sadly. 81,
who have known him all my life. know
how he wOrships Jane, but to others it
must seem that he is perfectly callous
to her fate. 1t is only that he Is SO
absolutely impractical that he cannot
conceive of so real a thing as death
unless nearly certain proof of 1t is
thrust upon him."
you'd never guess what he was
about yesterday" continued Tenning-
tom II was coming in alone from a
little hunt when l met him walking
rapidly along the game trail that I was
following back to camp. His hands
were clasped beneath the tails Of his
long. black coat, and his top hat was
set firmly down upon his head as. with
eyes bent upon the ground, he hasten
ed on, probably to some sudden death
had l not intercepted him.
why, where in the world are you
bound. professor I asked him. 4 am
going into town. Lord Remington he
said as seriously as possible. to COM
plain to the postmaster about the rural
free delivery service we are suffering
from here. Why. sir. ! haven't had a
piece of mail in weeks. There should
be several letters for me from Jane.
The matter must be reported to Wash
ington at once
And would you believe 1t, Miss
Strong" continued bennington. II had
the very deuce of a job to convince the
old fellow that there was not only no
rural free delivery. but no town and
that he was not even on the same con-
tinent as Washington nor In the same