Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-08
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that strange joy that was his reward
Tor 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 wonderful little crea-
ture that mystihed him so-the baby
proddled him with her tiny feet and
pulled his tawny hair. lie loved these
baby-maulings even more than the touch
of Joan's hand.
Good old Kazan," she cried softly
putting her face down close to him
We're glad you came Kazan, for we're
going to be alone tonight-baby and l.
DADDY gone to the post, and you must
care for us while he's away"
She tickled his nose with the end OF her
long shining braid. This always delighted
the baby, for in spite of his stoicism. Ka-
zan had to sniff and sometimes to sneeze,
and tWig his ears. And IL pleased him.
too He loved the sweet scent of Joans
hair.
And you'd fight for us, If you had to-
wouldn't you?' she went on. Then she
rose quietly 81 must close the door,"
she said. II don't want you to 60 away
again today, Kazan. You must stay
with us"
Kazan went off to his corner, and lay
down. Just as there had been some
strange thing at the top of the Sun Rock
to disturb him that day, so now there was
Il mystery lldt disturbed MN IN the
cabin. He shifted the air trying to fathom
its secret Whatever it was, It seemed
to make his mistress different. too. And
she was digging out all sorts of odds and
ends OF things about the cabin and do
ing them up in packages Late that night.
before she went to bed, Joan came and
snugged her hand close down beside him
for a few moments.
We're going away" she whispered,
and there was curious tremble that
was almost a sob in her voice. Were
going home Kazan. We're going away
down where his people live--where they
have churches. and cities, and music,
and all the beautiful things in the world
And were going to take YOU, Ka2an!"
Kazan didn't understand. But he was
happy at having the woman so near to
him. and talking to him. AT these times
he forgot Gray Wolf. The dog that was
in him surged over his quarter-strain of
wildness, and the woman and the baby
alone filled his world. But after Joan
had gone to her bed and all was quiet
in the cabin. his old uneasiness returned.
He rose to his feet and moved stealth
lily about the cabin. shifting at the walls.
the door and the things his mistress had
done into packages. A low whine rose in
his throat. Joan, half asleep, heard 1t,
and murmured:
BE quiet, Kazan. Go to sleep-go to
sleep"
Long after that, Kazan stood rigid in
the centre of the room. listening, tremb-
ling. And family he heard, far away,
the wailing cry of Gray Wolf. But to-
night 1t was not the cry of loneliness.
1t sent thrill through him. He ran to
the door, and whined, but Joan was deep
in slumber and did not hear him. once
more he heard the cry, and only once.
Then the night grew still He crouched
CdOwn near the door,
Joan found him there, still watchful,
still listening, when she awoke in the
early morning. She came to open the
door for him, and in moment he was
gone. His feet seemed scarcely to touch
the earth as he sped in the direction of
the sun Rock Across the plain he could
see the cap of it already painted with
n golden glow.
He came to the narrow winding trail,
and wormed his way up it swiftly.
Gray Wolf was not at the top to greet
him. But he could smell her. and the
scent of that other thing was strong in