Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1917-05-10

end against tree. Then he took a
lantern from the sledge and lighted II.
He approached Thorpe's tent.nap, the
lantern In his hand.
'Ho, Thorpe-Thorpel" he called.
There was no answer. He could hear
Thorpe breathing. lie drew the flap
aside little, and raised his voice. =
"Thorpew
Still there was no movement inside,
and he united the flap strings and
thrust In his lantern. The light flashed
on Isobel's golden head, and McCready
stared at II. his eyes burning like red
Goals, until he saw that Thorpe was
awakening. Quickly he dropped the
Zap and rustled It from the outside.
"Ho, Thorpe-Thorpew he called
again.
This time Thorpe replied.
"Hello, McCready-is that your"
McCready drew the flap back lit
tie. and spoke In low voice.
Eyes. Can you come out a mlnute'
Something's happening out In the
woods. Don't wake up your wlfel"
He drew back and waited. A minute
later Thorpe came quietly out Of the
tent. McCready pointed into the thick
spruce.
"Tll swear there's someone nosing
around the camp" he said. "I'm GER
tain that saw man out there few
minutes ago, when went for q log.
It's a good night for stealing dogs.
Here-you take the lantern! II |
wasn't clean fooled. wen find a trail
in the snow
he gave Thorpe the lantern and
picked up the heavy club. A growl rose
In Kazan's throat, but he choked II
back. He wanted to snarl forth his
warning, to leap ut the end Of his
leash, but he knew that II he did that.
they would return and beat him. SO
he lay still. trembling and shlverlng,
and whining softly. He watched them
until they disappeared-and then wait
ed-listened. At last he heard the
crunch of Stow. He was not surprised
to see McCready come back alone. He
had expected him to return alone. For
he knew what club meant!
McCready's face was terrible now. II
was like beasts. He was hatless.
Kazan skunk deeper in his shadow at
the low horrible laugh that fell from
his llps-for the man still held the
club. In q moment he dropped that,
and approached the tent. He drew back
the flap and peered In. Thorpe's wife
was sleeping, and as quietly as cat
he entered and hung the lantern on a
nail In the tent-pole. His movement
did not awaken her, and for few mo-
ments he stood there, notwithstanding.
Kazan watched McCready as he en-
tered, and suddenly the dog was on his
feet, his back tense and bristling, his
limbs rigid. He saw McCready's huge
shadow on the canvas, and moment
later there came a strange piercing cry.
In the wild terror Of that cry he recog-
nized her vOice-and he leaped toward
the tent. The leash stopped him,
choking the snarl In his throat. He saw
the shadows struggling now, and there
came cry after cry. She was calling to
his master, and with his masters name
she was calling him!
"Kazan-Kazan-"
He leaped again, and was thrown up
on his back. A second and third
time he sprang the length Of the leash
into the night, and the bablche cord
about his neck cut into his flesh like
a knife. He stopped for IN instant,
gasplng for breath. The shadows were
still fighting. Now they were upright!
Now they were crumpllng down With
a fierce snarl he flung his whole weight
once more ut the end Of the chain.
There was snap. rs the thong about
his neck gave way.
In half dozen bounds KaZan made
the tent and rushed under the flap.
With snarl he was at McCready's
threat. The first snap Of his powerful
Jaws was death, but he did not know
that. He knew only that his mistress
was there. and that he was fighting for
her. There came one choking gasping
cry that ended with terrible sob; 1t
was McCready. The man sank from
his knees upon his back, and Kazan
thrust his fangs deeper into his
enemy's throat; he felt the warm blood.
The dogs mistress was calling to
him now. She was pulling at his shaggy
neck. But he would not loose his hold
not fer q long time. When he did,
his mistress looked down once upon
the man and covered her face with her
hands. Then she sank down upon the
blankets. She was very still. Her face
and hands were cold, and Kazan muz-
zled them tenderly. Her eyes were
closed. He snuggled up close against
her, with his ready jaws turned toward
the dead man. Why was she so still,
he wOndered7
A long time passed, and then she
mOved. Her eyes opened. Her hand
touched him.
Then he heard a step outside.
It was his master, and with that old
thrill Of fear-fear Of the club-he
went swiftly to the door. Yes, there
was his master In the flrellght-and In