The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1917-05-11

unnecessary since He Wouiu HoI AOt
moment suspect her of so unfemnlhe
a proceeding. The moment the herders
saw the blunder they had committed
they skunk away. leaving Madge stand
ing on the veranda, Tucker sitting on
his horse below.
"Those fellows have spoiled every
thing" he said.
Their motives were good" was the
reply.
Nevertheless they have put bar
rier between you and me that canno.
be removed"
mo barrier was required.
II left you because l had been
pledged to another before l met you
! | have returned free from that pledge
and all might have been well had these
men not interfered.f'
With this he turned his horses head
and rode away without looking back
| Going to his ranch, he bethought him
self what to do Should he sell ous
and go home? No; he had been
placed in an unenviable position, ana
he must live 1t down among those Wnc
had condemned him.
He turned his attention to his rancD'
devoting himself to 1t exclusively.
Neighboring ranchmen, hearing OF the
outrage that had been put upon MIN,
went to his ranch house and welcomed
| him back. When he met any or the
herders who had interfered between
him and Madge Hardesty the herder
apologized for the mistake that had
been made, and in some cases they
sought him out for the purpose. NO
one but himself knew that he had re-
turned from the east to ask Madge TO
be his wife. Nevertheless the prevail
ing sentiment among those about him
was that he had been badly treated.
And they, being people Of extremes,
were as prone to favor him as they
had been before to condemn him I'M
heard.
The next winter was hard one.
An early blizzard occasioned the loss
OF great many animals. 1t came sud
denly and caught the stock grazing at
distance from shelter, and, unprotect-
ed, they were frozen by hundreds. AT
the first sign of danger Tucker sum-
moned his herders for the purpose of
getting his animals under shelter. But
Madge was in his mind. He knew that
she had few assistants and would be
liable to a severe loss. Sending his
men out to drive in his stock. he rode
toward Madge's ranch.
| Reaching her house, he learned that
she had ridden forth with but two
herders, all there were in her employ.
to save her property. Following the
tracks In the snow over the bleak,
rolling ground-he could see nothing
distant through the dense f1akes-he at
last reached a point where he heard
voices. Riding on, he presently came
upon man driving a flock Of sheep to
shelter.
"Where's your mistress?" asked
Tucker.
"Over there" replied the man, point
ing, and Tucker, following the tracks,
soon came upon the other herder with
another flock of sheep. Tucker re-
peated the question as to Madge's
whereabouts and was told that she
had gone off after some stray ewes
and lambs. Fixing his eyes upon the
| tracks, Tucker started anew.
Meanwhile the mercury had been
rapidly sinking and now stood far be-
low zero, while the wind was blow
ing a gale. Troubled as to Madges
safety, Tucker hurried on. He could
not see fifty yards ahead of him for
the snow. but the tracks were an in
fallible guide.
Suddenly he came upon Madge's
horse standing shivering in the biz
zard. fuckers heart sank within him
He believed Madge was near and fear
ed the worst. Not far distant he came
upon heap of something covered
with snow. Throwing himself from
his horse, he brushed the white cover
ing from the pile and came upon
Madge and half a dozen lambs all IT,
ing In heap. Most of the lambs were
frozen stiff. Madge was asleep beside
them.
Tucker grasped her and. shaking her
raised her. She opened her eyes. He
had taken the precaution to bring q
flask with him and poured liquor into
her mouth. Then, forcing her to walk
the few steps to his horse, he placed
her in the saddle, wrapped his over
coat about her for additional protec-
ton against the wind and started for
the ranch house. But he had not gone
far before she showed signs of drowsi-
ness, and, climbing up behind her, he
rode In that fashion, both supporting
her and guiding the horse.
The snow was by this time deep, and
the tracks had been obliterated. Tuck.
er had no guide except the contour of
the country. Fortunately he struck n
creek, and this gave him his direction.
The whirling fakes were confusing,
but he pushed on, and at last, seeing
through the snow barn that he knew
was near the ranch house, he cried for
help. In another moment a rescue
party came to his assistance.
When the blizzard had passed and
the ranchers took account of losses it
was found that the most esteemed one
among them had been saved by the
one who had at one time been the most
condemned. Furthermore, the prin.