University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1915-08-13

ing close to the tent of his mistress
and he knew now that this was tn
man who had worn the black irol
rings, and that 1t was he who ha'
beaten him with whip and club TO
many long days after he had kille
his master. McCready heard the me
mace in his throat and came bacl
quickly to the fire. He began t
whistle and draw the half-burned log
together, and as the fire blazed al
afresh he shouted to awaken Thorp,
and IsObel. In a few minutes Thorpe
appeared at the tent-flap and his wifi
followed him out. Her loose hair rip
pied In pillows of gold about hel
shoulders and she sat down on the
sledge, close to Kazan. and began
brushing it. McCready came up behind
her and fumbled among the packages
on the sledge. AS II by accident one
of his hands buried itself for an in
stant in the rich tresses that flowed
down her back. She did not at first
feel the caressing touch of his fingers,
and Thorpe's back was toward them.
Only Kazan saw the stealthy move
ment of the hand. the fondling clutch
of the fingers in her hair, and the mad
passion burning in the eyes of the
man. Quicker than a lynx, the dog
had leaped the length of his chain
across the sledge. McCready sprank
back just in time, and as Kazan
reached the end of his chain he was
jerked back so that his body struck
sidewise against the girl. Thorpe had
turned in time to see the end of the
leap. He believed that Kazan had
sprung at Isobel, and in his borrow no
word or cry escaped his lips as he
dragged her from where she had
half fallen over the sledge. He saw
that she was not hurt, and he reached
for his revolver. 1t was in his holster
in the NrDt At his feet was McCready's
whip. q lin the passion of the mo-
ment he Seized it and sprang upon
Kazan. The dog cHq9e 9ehed ip the snow.
He made no move to S114be or to at
tack. Only once in his life could he
remember having received a beating
like that which Thorpe inflicted upon
him now. But not a whimper or a
growl escaped him
And then, suddenly, his mistress ran
forward and caught the whip poised
above Thorpe's head.
mot another blow," she cried, and
in her voice held him from
McCready did not hear what
she said then, but strange look came
into Thorpe's eyes and without word
he followed his wife into their tent
"Kazan did not leap at me-" she
whispered, and she was trembling
with a sudden excitement Her face
was deathly white. THAT man was
behind me-" she went on. clutching
her husband by the arm. IL felt him |
touch me-and then Kazan sprang. He
wouldn't bite me. It's the man
There's something-wrong-"
She was almost sobbing, and Thorpe |
drew her close in his arms.
81 hadn't thought before-but it's
strange" he said. Didn't McCready
say something about knowing the dog?
It's possible. Perhaps he's had Kazan
before and abused him in a way that
he dog has not forgotten. Tomorrow
I'll find out. But until l know-will
you promise to keep away from Ka-
.an?"
1sobel gave the promise When they
,ame out from the tent Kazan lifted
his great head. The stinging lash had
closed one of his eyes and his mouth
was dripping blood. Isobel gave a
ow sob, but did not go near him. Half
blinded, he knew that his mistress had II
topped his punishment, and he
vhined softly. and wagged his thick
all in the snow.