Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-10-07

! ter fastened his chain. Then they
went out, laughing like two children.
For hours after that, Kazan lay still
and tense, listening to the queer
rumble of wheels under him. Several
times those wheels stopped, and he
heard voices outside. At last he was
sure that he heard familiar voice,
and he strained at his chain and whin-
ed. The closed door slid back. A
man with lantern climbed in, follow
ed by his master. He paid no atten-
ton to them, but glared out through
the opening into the gloom Of night
He almost broke loose when he leap
ed down upon the white snow, but
when he saw no one there, he stool
rigid, smiling the air. Over him were
the stars he had howled at all his life,
and about him were the forests, black
and silent, shutting them in like
wall. Va.nly he sought for that one
scent that was missing, and Thorpe
heard the low note of grief in his
shaggy throat. He took the lantern
and held it above his head, at the
same time loosening his hold on the
leash. At that signal there came
voice from out of the night. 1t came
from behind them, and Kazan whirled
so suddenly that the loosely held
chain slipped from the mans hand.
He saw the glow of other lanterns.
And then, once more, the voice
"Kaa-aa-zan!"
He was off like bolt. Thorpe laugh
ed to himself as he followed.
"The old pirate!" he chuckled.
When he came to the lantern-light-
ed space back of the caboose, Thorpe
found Kazan crouching down at a
womans feet. It was Thorpes wife.
She smiled triumphantly at him as he
came out of the gloom.
you've wont" he laughed, not un-
happily. I'D have wagered my last
dollar he wouldn't do that for any
voice on earth. You've won! Kazan,
you brute, I've lost you!"
His face suddenly sobered as Iso.
bel stopped to pick up the end Of the
chain
Hes yours, Issy.' he added quick
ly, "but you must let me care for him
until-we know. Give me the chain.
l won't trust him even now. He's a
hand off at cingle snap. I've seen
him tear out another dogs jugular in
one leap. Hes an outlaw bad dog
in spite Of the fact that he hung to
me like a hero and brought me out
alive. / can't trust him. Give me the
chain"
He did not finish. With the snarl
of wild beast Kazan had leaped to
his feet. His lips drew back and bar
ed his long fangs. His spine stitfen.
ed, and with sudden cry Of warn
ing Thorpe dropped hand to the re-
volver at his belt
Kazan paid no attention to him.
Another form had approached out Of
the night, and stood now in the circle
Of illumination made by the lanterns.
It was McCready. who was to accom-
pany Thorpe and his young wife back
to the Red River camp, where Thorpe
was in charge of the building of the
new Trans-continental. The man was
straight, powerfully built and clean
shaver. His jaw was so square that
1t was brutal, and there was glow in
his eyes that was almost like the pas
sion in Kazan's eyes as he looked at
Tsobel
Her red and white stocking-cap had
slipped free of her head and was /!
hanging over her shoulder. The dull
blaze of the lanterns shone in the
warm glow of her hair. Her cheeks |
were flushed, and her eyes, suddenly !,
turned to him, were as blue as the !
bluest bakneesh flower and glowed |
ike diamonds. McCready shifted his
gaze, and instantly her hand fell on
Kazan's head. For the first time the
log did not seem to feel her touch.
He still snarled at McCready, the
menace in his throat grow