The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-07-25
HuddIed over the stove.

~~ONS WN0 GOAAAB W AAANO "
miles with an infected girl in dog
sleigh,
Little Bienaime came forward He
was shaking and as white as a sheet,
but he came forward.
i will take her." he said, and was
conscious that, though the music had
started again, nobody was paying any
attention to 1t.
Don't be fool, Bienaime," said Big
Jim and Lean Mike together. Want
to die. hey?"
Il go II de-" said Bienaime.
He went out in the direction Of the
boss shack. He knocked. and receiv-
ing no answer, went in, to find Airline
huddled over the stove. the fear of
death on her face, where the signs
of the dread disease were already evil
dent.
What do you want?" she asked,
looking up at him.
Il take you to Shiloh. to the doc
tor" answered the little Frenchman.
Keep back. you fool. Haven't you
more sense?" demanded the girl bit
terly. Il reckon you don't want to
die. do your"
Il take you to Shiloh" repeated the
Frenchman obstinately
Keep backl What about the other
boys7 Wouldn't they come? thought, :"
she gulped, maybe Big Jim would
take me. He ought to, heaven knows"
pfon0trnn'o o. a.
Big Jim she loved. Then he gritted
his teeth.
I'm glad it is Big Jim and not me-"
he said, because now tit won't
matter"
He told her to wait while he har-
messed his dogs. Presently the sleigh
came along the trail, the beasts pull
ing with will.
"WhoaI" shouted Bienaime, and as
they lay down in the snow he entered
the shack again. The girl was still
huddled over the stove.
"Come!" said Bienaime.
She stared at him. you mean 1t,
Francois?" she cried. Wouldn't
wouldn't anybody else Gomez"
Francois Bienaime evaded that
question. MY luck" he said. Il was
first on the spot"
They wouldn't GOMEZ" she ex-
claimed. you don't mean you're 60
ing to drive 80 miles. sitting at my
side, Francois? Why. It'll be sure
death to you They say If you take
II In the open it's sure to kill. Best
leave me here. Maybe I'll get well.
I don't feel so bad"
ALAS" said Bienaime, ut is no
use. am exposed now. may as
well take you"
The girl considered. Yes, that was
trua. He had exposed himself already
to the contagion; he could not 60 back
to the lumber camp.
All right. But don't get too near
me-" she said, rising.
Nevertheless Bienaime bundled her
up in the shawl, wrapped her in a
pair Of blankets and took her in his
arms and carried her to the sleigh.
He placed her there, Nesting snugly,
among the robes.
"Mush!" he said. and the dogs
started.
They raced along the trail At the
bend Bienaime, looking back, saw the
crowd from. the dance hall looking az
ter them. He felt his heart leap up
in exaltation. "Mushl" he shouted,
leaping into the sleigh.
The dogs ran on. Bienaime sat in
the sleigh beside his beloved And
the weary miles began to be told of.
Il wonder If I'll de-" unused the
girl. Il don't feel very sick"
mo fear OF dying" said little Bic
Maine. Il can't let you die, Miss Ar
line. It would mean too much to Big
Jim. guess"
He was not conscious of the curious
face she turned on him He was be-
ginning to freeze. for he had given
her all the robes. It was not cold,
even for March, but ten above zero
is cold enough for a night journey,
even for lumberman. He stood upon
the failing log at the back Of the
sleigh, shouting to the dogs as they
raced into the road, IL miles from
camp, that led toward Shiloh.
Every time he rested the dogs he
went to look at Airline, but always
her eyes were closed. and he did not
dare to speak to her.
The hours wore on. Morning came,
and they were still five miles from
Shiloh. He aroused Airline at the last