Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-10-23


winding trail, worn only by the pads
and claws of animals, for the Sun Rock
was huge crag that rose almost sheer
up for hundred feet above the tops
Of the spruce and balsam, it's bald
crest catching the first CLEANS OF the
sun in the morning and the last glow
of it in the evenig. Gray Wolf had
first led Kazan to the security of the
retreat at the top of the rock.
When he reached the bottom he no
longer hesitated, but darted swiftly IN
the direction Of the cabin Because OF
that instinct Of the wild that was In
him, he always approached the cabin
with caution. He never gave warning,
and for a moment Joan was startled
when she looked up from her baby
and saw Kazan's shaggy head and
shoulders in the open door The baby
struggled and kicked in her delight,
and held out her two hands witt COO
ing cries to Kazan Joan, too, held
out hand.
"Kazan!" she cried softly. Come
in, Kazan!"
/ Slowly the wild red light in Kazan's
eyes softened. He put forefoot on
the sill, and stood there, while the girl
urged him again. Suddenly his legs
! seemed to sink little under. him, his
tail dropped and he skunk in with that
dogeish air of having committed
crime. The creatures he loved were IN
1.-THE cabin, but the cabin itself he hated.
He hated all cabins, for they breathed
| of the club and the whip and bondage.
Like all sledge dogs he preferred the
open snow for bed, and the spruce
,, tops for shelter.
Joan dropped her hand to his head,
and at it's touch there thrilled through
him that strange Joy that was his re-
ware for leaving Gray Wolf and the
wild. Slowly he raised his head until
his black muzzle rested on her lap,
and he closed his eyes while that won
derful little creature that mystified
him so the baby = prodded him
with her tiny feet, and pulled his
tawny hair. He loved these baby
maulings even more than the touch
Of Joans hand.
Moticnless, sphinx-like, undemons-
tratlve in every muscle of his Dody,
Kazan stood, scarcely breathing. More
than once this lack Of demonstration
had urged Joan's husband to warn her.
But the wolf that was in Kazan, his
wild aloofness, even his mating with
Gray Wolf had made her love him
more. She understood, and had faith
in him.
In the days of the last snow Kazan
had proved himself A neighboring
trapper had run over with his team,
and the baby Joan had toddled up to
one of the big huskies. There was a
fierce snap Of the jaws, scream OF
horror from Joan, shout from the
men as they leaped toward the pack.
But Kazan was ahead Of them all. In
a gray streak that travelled with the
speed of bullet he was at the big
husky's throat. When they pulled him
off, the husky was dead. Joan thought
of that now, as the baby kicked anu
tousled kazan's head.
Good old Kazan," she cried softly
putting her face down close to him.
Were glad you came, Kazan, FOR we
are going to be alone tonight - baby
and I. Daddy's gone to the post, and
you must care for us while he's away.
Size tickled his nose with the end OF
her long shining braid. This always
delighted the baby. for in spite of his
stoicism Kazan had to sniff and some
times to sneeze, and twig his ears.
And 1t pleased him, too. He loved the
sweet scent Of Joan's hair
"And you'd fight for us, If you had
to- wouldn't your she went on. Their
she rose quietly. 81 must close the
door" she said 81 don't want you to
20 away again today, Kazan. You
must stay with u.s.
Kazan went off to his corner, and
lay down. Just as there had been some
strange thing at the top OF the Sun