Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-11-12

here, in this way. The face that
| dreamed of is a thousand miles from
| here, and is wonderfully like yours"
The colonel was laughing at him
when he turned. He was little
man. as straight as a gun rod. pale
| nj face except for his nose. which
was nipped red by the cold, ana
with pointed beard as white a. the
snow under his feet. That part OF
his countenance which exposed itself
| above the top of his great fur coat
and below his thick beaver cap was
| alive with good cheer, notwithstand-
ing its pallor.
Glad you're good humored about
1t, Steele" he cried with an i'm
mediate tone of comradeship. We
wouldn't have ventured into your
camp If it hadn't been for Isobel
She was positively lnsistent, sir
Wanted to see who was here and
what it looked like. Eh, Isobel, my
dear, are you satisfled?"
Il surely didn't expect to fnd IT
tsleep at this time OF the day." said
Mrs. Becker. She laughed straight
into Philips face, and so roguishly
sweet was the curve OF her red lips
and the light in her eyes that his
heart quickened Its beating, aud the
flush deepened in his cheeks.
It's only six" he said, looking at
his watch. II don't usually turn In
this early. was tired tonight
fhnNUh
quickly. 81 could sit up until morn
ing-and talk. We don't often meet
people from outside, you know
Where are the others?"
Pack there" said the colonel.
waving an arm into the gloom.
'lsobel made 'em sit down and be.
nuiet. dogs and ALL sir. while We
Hame on alone. There are Indians,
TWO sledges, and ton of duff
Call them," said Steele. There's
room for your tent beside mine. Col
onei, close against the face of this
rock. It's as good as furnace"
The colonel moved little out into
the gloom and shouted to those be-
hind. Philip turned to find Mrs.
Becker looking at him in a timid.
questioning sort OF way, the laughter
gone from her eyes. For a moment
she seemed to be on the point Of
speaking TO him, then picked up
short stick and began toying with the
Goals.
You must be tired, Mrs. Becker"
he said. Now that You are aear \
fire. would suggest that you throw
on your heavy coat. You will be
more comfortable, and will bring
you blanket to sit on"
He dived into his tent and Il mo-
nent later reappeared with a blanket.
which he spread close against the,
QUIT OF big spruce within half
lozen feet of the fire. When he.
'urned toward her, the colones wife
had thrown off her coat and turban
and stood before him. a slim and girl
ish figure, bewitchingly pretty as she
smiled her gratitude and nestled
down into the place he had prepared
for her. For moment he benz over
her, tucking the thick fur about her
feet and knees, and in that moment
he breathed from the heavy coils Of
her shining hair the fower-hke.
sweetness which had already stirred
him to the depths of his soul
Colonel Becker was smiling DOWN
upon them when he Strengthened up.
and at the humorous twinkle IN his
eyes, as he gazed from one TN the
other Steele felt that the guilt OF
his own thoughts was blazing in his
face. He was glad that the Indians
came up with the sledges just at this
moment and as he went back to
help them with the dogs and packs
he swore softly at himself for the
heat that was in his blood and the
strange madness that was firing his
brain.
And inwardly he cursed himself
still more when he returned TO the
fire. From out the deep gloom he
saw the colonel sitting with his back
nesting against him. her head rest
ing upon his shoulder, talking and
laughing up into his face. Even as
he hesitated for an instant, scarce
daring to break upon the scene, he
saw her pull the gray-bearded face
down to hers and kiss it, and in the
ineffable contentment and happiness
shining in the two faces in the fire
light Philip Steele knew that he was
looking upon that which had broken
forever the haunting image OF an
other woman in his heart Ia it's
place would remain this picture OF
love-love as he had dreamed of it.
as he had hoped for it, and Which he
had found at last-but not for him
self-in the heart of a wilderness.
For a long time after he had roll
ed himself in his own blanket Philip
lay awake, wondering at the strange
ness of this thing that had happened
to him. He fell asleep to dream and
to awaken hours later to the unpleas-
ant realization that his visions we're
but dream-fabric after all. and that