Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-06-16

Duchess. Just you 60 out there and
cuss and see." She then Set herself to
the task Of amusing "the child" as
she and the Duchess were pleased to
call Piney. Piney was no chicken, but
It was a soothing and original theory
Of the pair thus to account for the fact
that she didn't swear and wasn't Inn
proper.
When night crept up again through
the gorges the reedy notes Of the ac'
Gordon rose and fell in itful spasms
and long drawn gasps by the pickering
campfire. But music failed to fll en-
tirely the aching void left by INSULT
cient food, and new diversion was
proposed by Piney-story telling. Mel
ther Mr.. Oakhurst nor his female COM
panlons caring to relate their personal
experiences, this plan would have fail.
ed, too. but for the Innocent. Some
months before he had CHANGED upon a
stray copy Of Mr.. Pope's ingenious
translation Of the "Iliad." He now
proposed to narrate the principal Incl
dents Of that poem-having thoroughly
mastered the argument and fairly for
gotten the words-in the current ver-
nacular Of Sandy Bar. And so for the
rest Of that night the Homeric demi-
gods again walked the earth. Trojan
bully and willy Greek wrestled in the
winds, and the great pines in the can
yon seemed to bow to the wrath Of the
son Of Peleps. Mr.. Oakhurst listened
with quiet satisfaction. Most especial
ly was he interested in the fate Of
"Ash-heels," as the Innocent persisted
in denominating the swift footed
Achilles"
So with small food and much Of Ho-
mer and the accordion a week passed
over the heads Of the outcasts. The
sun again forsook them, and again
from leaden skies the snowfakes were
sifted over the land. Day by day
closer around them drew the snowy
circle until at last they looked from
their prison over drifted walls Of daz-
cling white that lowered twenty feet
above their heads. It became more
and more difficult to replenish their
fires, even from the fallen trees beside
them, now half hidden in the drifts.
And yet no one complained. The lov-
ers turned from the dreary prospect
and looked into each others eyes and
were happy. Mr.. Oakhurst settled him.
self coolly to the losing game before
him. The Duchess, more cheerful than
she had been. assumed the care Of
Piney. Only Mother Shipton-once the
strongest Of the party-seemed to sick
en- and fade. At midnight on the tenth
day she called Oakhurst to her side.
"I'm going" she said in voice Of
querulous weakness, "but don't say
anything about It, Don't waken the
xids. Take the bundle from under my
head and open it." Mr.. Oakhurst did
DO. 1t contained Mother Shipton's "a.
tions for the last week, untouched.
"Give 'em to the child" she said, point
ing to the sleeping Piney. You've
starved yourself" said the gambler.
That's what they call it." said the
woman querulously as she lay down
again and, turning her face to the wall,
passed quietly away.
The accordion and the bones were
put aside that day, and Homer was
forgotten. When the body Of Mother
Shipton had been committed to the
snow Mr.. Oakhurst took the Innocent
aside and showed him a pair Of snow
shoes. which he had fashioned from
the old pack saddle. There's one
chance in a hundred to save her yet"
he said, pointing to Piney, but It's
there" he added, pointing toward
Poker Flat. "If you can reach there in
two days she's safe" And you" ask
ed Tom Simson. "I'll stay here" was
the curt reply.
The lovers parted with long en-
brace. You are not going, too" said
the Duchess. as she saw Mr.. Oakhurst
waiting to accompany him.
"As far us the canyon" he replied. He
turned suddenly and kissed the Ouch
ess, leaving her pallid face aiame and
her trembling limbs rigid with amaze
ment
Night came, but not Mr.. Oakhurst.
It brought the storm again and the
whirling snow. Then the Duchess,
feeding the fire. found that some one
had quietly piled beside the hut enough
fuel to last a few days longer. The
tears rose to her eyes. but she hid
them from Piney.
The women slept but little. In the
looking into each others
faces, they read their fate. Neither
spoke, but Plney. accepting the posi-
don Of the stronger, drew near and
placed her arm around the Duchess
waist. They kept this attitude for the
rest of the day. That night the storm
reached its greatest fury, and, rending
asunder the protecting pines. Invaded
the very hut.
Toward morning they found them
selves unable to feed the fire, which
died away. AS the embers
slowly blackened the Duchess crept
closer to Piney and broke the silence OF
many hours, "Piney. can you prayT
mo, dear" said Piney simply. Th.
Duchess, without knowing exactly
why, felt relieved, and, putting her
head upon Piney's shoulder, spoke no
more. And SO reclining, the younger
md purer pillowing the head Of her
,oiled sister upon her virgin breast.
hey fell asleep.
The wind lulled as II 1t feared to
waken them. Feathery drifts Of snow,
shaken from the long pine boughs, flew
ike white winged birds and settled
about them as they slept. The moon
through the rifted clouds looked down
lpon what had been the camp. But all
human stain. all trace Of earthly tra-
vail, was hidden beneath the spOtless
mantle mercifully flung from above.
They slept all that day and the next,
lor did they waken when voices and
footsteps broke the silence Of the camp.
And when plying fingers brushed the
snow from their wan faces you could
have told from the equal peace
hat dwelt upon them which was she
hat had sinned. Even the law OF
Poker Flat recognized this and turned