Morris tribune., 1914-08-07

yon seemed to- bow osthe wrath Of the I
son of Peleus. 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 week passed
over the heads of the outcasts. The
sun again forsook them. and again
from leaden skies the snowf1akes 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-
zling white that lowered twenty feet
above their heads. 1t 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 low
ers turned from the dreary prospect
1 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
kids. Take the bundle from under my
head and open it." Mr. Oakhurst did
so. 1t contained Mother SYMPTOMS ra-
lions for the last week, untouched
"Give EN- 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 ENORMOUSLY 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 pair of snow
shoes, which he had fashioned from
the old pack saddle. There's one
chance in hundred to save her yet y
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
apparently waiting to accompany him
. "As far as the canyon" he replied. He
, turned suddenly and kissed the Ouch
; ess, leaving her paitid face aflame anG
her trembling limbs rigid with amaze
| m&nt -
Night came, but not Mr.. -Oakhurst
> 1t brought the storm again and thu
+ whirIing snow. Then the Duchess
feeding the fire, found that some ont
{ had quietly piled beside the hut enough
! fuel to last few days longer. Th'
!. tears rose to her eyes, but she hiC
9 them from Piney.
{ The women slept but little. Ia thu
i morning. looking into each other
f faces. they read their fatey Neithe
: spoke, but Piney, accepting the posi-
r ton Of the stronger, drew near AM
s placed her arm around the Duchess
a waist They kept this attitude for tn
r rest Of the day That night the storm
e reached it's greatest fury, and. rendin
4 asunder the protecting pines, invade
Q the very hut
$ Toward morning they found then
0 selves unable to feed the fire. whic
t gradually died away. AS the ember
= slowly bIackened the Duchess crep
{ closer to Piney and broke the silence Q
/ many hours, ''Piney, can you pray
''No. DEAR said Piney simply. Th
b Duchess, without knowing exacti
; why, felt relieved, and, putting he
$ head upon Pineys shoulder, spoke n
g more. And so reclining, the younge
/ and, purer pillowing the head of ht
soiled sister upon her virgin breas
s they fell asleep.
i The wind lulled as if it feared
L waken them. Feathery drifts of SNOW
u shaken from the long pine boughs, fe'
rs like white winged birds and settle
e about them as they slept, The moo
a through the rifted clouds looked dow
IS upon what had been the camp. But a
" human stain. all trace Of earthly tr'
i vail. was hidden beneath the spotleS
" mantle mercifully flung from above.
r They slept all that day and the mex
r. nor did they waken when voices an
lie footsteps broke the silence OF the cam
l. And when plying fingers brushed Il
n snow from their wan faces you coui
he scarcely have told from the equal peat
4 that dwelt upon them which was ST